2008 Woodie Awards
Date rape frequents among college campuses
By Janine Fulginiti
Issue date: 11/19/07 Section: Features
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Rape is often thought of as a horrific crime committed by a stranger that takes place in a dark alley; however, frequently this has not been the case. According to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Justice, seven in 10 rape and sexual assault victims knew their attacker prior to the assault. In the case of college students, this number is drastically higher. Statistics show that 90 percent of college rape victims knew the aggressor prior to the attack.
This high figure clearly illustrates the fact that date rape is one of the most prevalent crimes on college campuses. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, date rape, also known as acquaintance rape, "involves coercive sexual activities that occur against a person's will by means of force, violence, duress or fear of bodily injury. These sexual activities are imposed upon them by someone they know," either a friend, date, acquaintance, etc.
Even if two people have engaged in sexual relations in the past, consent must be received each time.
As well as being a widespread crime on college campuses, date rape is also one of the most unreported crimes. Despite the abuse and trauma from the situation, victims of date rape do not always identify the experience as "rape." Instead of reporting the crime, victims often blame themselves.
Also, since the attacker is usually in the victim's social circle, the victim may have to encounter their attacker after the rape. Fear of these meetings may cause the victim to become increasingly distressed and less likely to report the crime.
In many date rape cases, alcohol is involved. In the case of the assailant, alcohol often lowers inhibitions, brings out aggressive tendencies and can trigger the person to do things that they may not do when sober. If the victim is intoxicated, this can hinder clear judgment and present opportunities of unwanted sexual situations. Also, an intoxicated person is less able to defend themselves and more likely to be taken advantage of.
This high figure clearly illustrates the fact that date rape is one of the most prevalent crimes on college campuses. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, date rape, also known as acquaintance rape, "involves coercive sexual activities that occur against a person's will by means of force, violence, duress or fear of bodily injury. These sexual activities are imposed upon them by someone they know," either a friend, date, acquaintance, etc.
Even if two people have engaged in sexual relations in the past, consent must be received each time.
As well as being a widespread crime on college campuses, date rape is also one of the most unreported crimes. Despite the abuse and trauma from the situation, victims of date rape do not always identify the experience as "rape." Instead of reporting the crime, victims often blame themselves.
Also, since the attacker is usually in the victim's social circle, the victim may have to encounter their attacker after the rape. Fear of these meetings may cause the victim to become increasingly distressed and less likely to report the crime.
In many date rape cases, alcohol is involved. In the case of the assailant, alcohol often lowers inhibitions, brings out aggressive tendencies and can trigger the person to do things that they may not do when sober. If the victim is intoxicated, this can hinder clear judgment and present opportunities of unwanted sexual situations. Also, an intoxicated person is less able to defend themselves and more likely to be taken advantage of.
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