College Sex Assaults: Smaller Campus Not Always Safer Campus

At colleges and universities, student success is measured in numbers.

And sometimes, so is their safety.

"Penelope" went to college to study statistics, not to become one.

"These things happen to other people," says the young woman who graduated from Converse College in 2009. "These things happen to statistics, they don't happen to me."

She was at a New Year's Eve party in 2007 when things got out of control.

"I'm pretty sure i was slipped something in my drink because i don't remember anything until waking up in the middle of (being raped)," says Penelope who was a sophomore at the time.

Her attacker was a young man who was enrolled at another college. More traumatizing, the next morning she learned her friend had also been raped by another male student at the same party.

She says it erased their sense of immunity from real-world dangers.

"I think a lot of people do get a false sense of security from being on a college campus. We have campus security there, we have our friends there, whatever."

Her attack happened off-campus. Most of those reported do not. Numbers provided by colleges and universities to the US Department of Education http://www.ope.ed.gov/security/ are eye-opening, especially considering which area colleges have the highest rate of sexual assault. 2006 through 2008 are the most recent years available (2009 data should be posted soon).

The University of South Carolina with more than 27,000 students reported 12 sexual assaults over that period.

Clemson University with over 18,000 students reported only five.

Now compare that to smaller colleges which generally have a reputation for being safer:

*Western Carolina University with 9,000 students had nine rapes reported, seven of those in residence halls.

Winthrop University with an enrollment of 6,000 had seven assaults reported, six of those on campus.

And Furman University, a prestigious liberal arts school of just 3,000 students had -nine- rapes reported in three years, all of those on campus. (It should be noted Furman requires all students to live on campus.)

When asked if Furman has a problem with sexual assaults among students, the university's Vice President of Student Life, Connie Carson, replied "no".

"I don't think Furman has a problem any more than any other institution. In fact, I suspect our numbers may even be less than what goes on on a national level."

She believes Furman's numbers are higher because the school has fostered an environment where victims feel more comfortable coming forward.

"There is a level of confidence on our campus that people can report those attacks," says Carson.

She credits SHARP, the Sexual Harrassment and Rape Prevention Committee, which is made up of faculty members, staff, administrators and students.

"That group annually looks at all our policies and procedures related to sexual assault -related issues; what should we be doing differently and better? Can we help students feel comfortable in our environment that when things happen that shouldn't, that they can report those things," says Carson.

Whether or not Furman students agree with Carson's assessment depends on which one you ask.

"I don't know if it is something that is openly encouraged all the time. There's not a lot of flyers up about rape counseling and things like that," says senior Christin Johnson.

Vincent Marsh, a junior, disagrees.

"There are actually CLPS, which are cultural life programs, that address certain things like rape and sexual charges and alcohol, and there's posters all around campus just talking about coming forward and telling your story," says Marsh.

He says two years ago, a male student was expelled for sexual assault.

Whether or not students actually come forward and report crimes is another matter. Experts say most sexual assaults at college, just like those in society, go unreported.

"Penelope" and her friend never reported their attacks to police or college officials.

"I didn't even admit to myself that it happened until a good four or five months after. By then there certainly wasn't any actual proof, and you know, what's the point at that point to have to relive it and convince everybody that it happened?"

So the girl who studied statistics never actually became one, though her rape was very real. Something students and parents should remember if you're trying to measure a school's safety in numbers.

If you are someone you know is a victim of sexual assault contact RAINN or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE

* Western Carolina University spokesperson Bill Studenc had this to say about the university's nine reported sexual assaults:

"No disciplinary action resulted from the university’s Code of Student Conduct process. In addition, none of the cases was prosecuted. In seven, the person who made the initial accusation opted against taking formal action. In the other two, the District Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute."