Rape Among College Students

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Rape is on the rise in the college population and is the most common crime on college campuses in America today (Caron & Brossoit, 1992). Research reports that rape is one of the biggest problems on college campuses and there needs to be further improvement of prevention programs. Koss, Gidycz, and Wisniewski (1987) surveyed 3,000 female college students. More than half reported some type of unwanted sexual contact, 15.8% reported being raped, and 12% experienced attempted rape. More recently, a college survey conducted by the National Victim Center reported that one in four college women have been raped or suffered attempted rape (Bureau of Justice, 1992). In addition, it has been reported that half of the college men reported that they engaged in some form of sexual aggression on a date (Bureau of Justice, 1995).

It is more common for a college student to be raped by an acquaintance than by a stranger. Unlike acquaintances, strangers use weapons and force more often causing their victims to seek help thus reporting the rape. The rapes that are done by an offender the victim knows are generally not reported. Ninety percent of college women who are victims of rape or attempted rape know their offender (Fisher, Cullen and Turner 2000). The offender is usually a classmate, friend, boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, or an acquaintance.

Most acquaintance rapes do not occur on dates. They usually occur at a party, or studying together in a dorm. Alcohol may increase the likelihood of rape. Schartz and DeKeserdy (1997) reported that if a man is in a group with other men especially in a setting with alcohol, the men will act more sexually aggressive towards women. Some researchers believe that college men can sense out women who are less able to defend themselves, or target women whose behavior (e.g., binge drinking) weakens their credibility. (Greene and Navarro, 1998). Date rapes account for only 13 percent of college rapes and make up 35 percent of attempted rapes (Fisher, Cullen and Turner, 2000). Gang rape of college women where multiple men taking turns raping a woman is also a problem.

One of the most common rape myths is that a rape by a stranger is more damaging to the person than a rape by an acquaintance, which is why it took the legal system so long to create a law against relationship and marital rape. Research has found that acquaintance rape victims suffer the same psychological harms as stranger-rape victims: anxiety, depression, shock, humiliation, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, loss of self-esteem, social isolation, anger, distrust of others, and fear of AIDS, guilt, and sexual dysfunction (Yeater and O'Donohue, 1999). College acquaintance rape victims face extra consequences. Many of these victims drop out of school because they might see their attacker in class, in their dorm, in the cafeteria, or at other campus locations.

Women between 16 and 24 years of age are the most frequently reported victims of rape (U.S. Department of Justice, 2003). If a woman is involved in drugs and alcohol they are especially vulnerable. College women are raped at significantly higher rates than college men (Waldner-Haugrud & Magruder, 1995). College men are more likely to report experiencing unwanted kissing or fondling than intercourse. College men who are raped are usually raped by other men (Abbey, 1991).

Another factor that puts women at risk is if they have been victims of sexual assault before in childhood or adolescence. These victims are nearly twice as likely to be raped in college as those with no previous history of sexual assault. In addition, if you have been victimized in college once then there is a chance you could be victimized again. Research on campus rape has found that a small number of victims are repeat victims (Hanson & Gidycz 1993) and one study found that 22.8 percent of college rape victims had been victimized before (Fisher, Cullen & Turner, 2000).

Researchers and feminists believe that rape is not because the offender is psychotic but because our culture has produced and instilled beliefs about women's role in sexual situations (Earle, 1996). For example, many men are socialized to believe that women initially resist sexual advances to preserve their reputation and prefer to be overcome sexually. The acceptance of rape myths, sex role stereotyping, and acceptance of sexual violence against women all create an atmosphere which promotes the acceptance of rape and other forms of sexual assault (Koss & Burkhart, 1989).

Recently research has found evidence that there an increase in sexual assault activity among males in fraternities. Fraternities represent a brotherhood but their values of being a member can be detrimental to women. Fraternity members are even further instilled with the notion that being a man is being strong and aggressive. Fraternities seek males who are generally athletic, competitive, and also who are willing to drink alcohol. Alcohol use and partying are cornerstones of fraternity’s social life. Males who do not drink are more unlikely not to get chosen as a member. Fraternities avoid "geeks" and men whose appearances do not fit in with the norm. New members are evaluated on how many women they can have sex with. A disproportionate number of documented gang rapes involve fraternity members. Research on reported gang rapes committed by college students from 1980 to 1990 found that fraternity members committed 55 % of them (Bolmer & Parrot, 1993).

Rape in college campuses being underreported is a problem. As discussed before, the majority of rapes on college campuses are acquaintance rapes. The issue with that is that women are less likely to report acquaintance rape. Fewer than 5 percent of college women who are victims of rape or attempted rape report it to police. However, about two-thirds of the victims tell someone, often a friend (but usually not a family member or college official). Women do not report rape because they are scared that the offender will retaliate (Fisher, Cullen & Turner 2000). The underreporting in college campuses is a major issue because few victims will receive help, and most offenders are neither confronted nor prosecuted (Benson, Charton, & Goodhart, 1992).

Modern college rape prevention programs may be insufficient because they are focused on the victims and not the offenders. Most rapes are unreported, perhaps giving campus administrators and police the false impression that current efforts are adequate. In addition, campus police may be influenced by college administrators who fear that too strong an emphasis on the problem may lead potential students and their parents to believe that rape occurs more often at their college than at others. Prevention programs need to focus more on educating both men and women. Programs, especially for men that focus on rape reduction should be mandatory at college campuses. Acquaintance rape prevention programs should be tailored to focus on the specific risks for fraternity members and athletes. Also, educating women about what actually defines a rape and the harm it can cause to the victim should be offered.