For high school seniors and their parents, Spring can mean the excitement of learning which colleges and universities they have been offered admission to, and which new campus communities they may become a member of in the Fall.
As students and their parents consider the benefits of each institution and their respective communities, it is important to ask how the school creates a culture of safety and awareness around the issue of sexual assault.
National statistics regarding campus sexual assaults are sparse and vary widely. Some of the statistics that are available are harrowing. The Campus Sexual Assault study found that only five percent of rape victims attending college report their attack to law enforcement. A 2014 report issued by Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill’s office concluded that colleges and universities still have much work to do in their communities to educate their students about sexual assault and maintain campus safety.
Here are six questions parents and their students should research and ask school officials about before matriculating at any college or university.
When was the last time the school conducted a survey on campus sexual assault and what were the findings of the survey?
In the last three years, how many investigations of sexual assault were conducted, did these investigations include local law enforcement, and what sanctions were taken against perpetrators?
Is there a reporting process in place for students to report either anonymously (online) or confidentially (in-person) incidents of sexual assault?
What are the sexual assault education and prevention programs on campus for students and student organizations such as fraternities and how are they implemented?
What kind of sexual assault awareness and response training does the faculty, staff and administrators receive?
What are the school’s policies regarding on and off campus alcohol consumption by students and what is the school’s commitment to and program for providing alcohol-free entertainment activities?