The Growing Concern of Rape on Campus

Fall is just around the corner and college students will soon be returning to campus. This is an especially exciting time for incoming freshman newly free from the restrictions of living under their parent’s roofs. While the newfound freedom can be liberating, it can also be dangerous. Despite the best attempts at security, college campuses are crawling with hidden dangers. One of the most prevalent dangers that college students and their parents need to be aware of is the potential for rape on campus.

While it is not always talked about, rape is a serious issue on college campuses. In fact, a rape occurs on a college campus somewhere in the United States every 21 hours, according to Crisis Connections Inc. While it is not a pleasant thing to think about, parents and students need to realize and accept this fact and decide what to do to make sure it does not happen to them. Perhaps an even scarier fact, the same group reports that college women are at their most vulnerable for rape during their freshman and sophomore years.

Unfortunately, it seems that college and alcohol seem to go hand-in-hand. Despite being under the legal drinking age, many teens will experiment with alcohol for the first time in college. Parents need to be aware of this fact. Parents do not have to condone drinking, but instead of living in denial, they should be sure that their teen knows how to drink responsibly. It could save the teen from being a victim, or save their life. When it comes to rape, Crisis Connections Inc. reports that 90% of all campus rapes occur when one or both parties are under the influence of alcohol. A teen who is experimenting with alcohol for the first time is even more at risk of being a victim of rape because they do not know their limits.

Parents teach their kids the buddy system at an early age, and it is a good system to remember. Walking in groups and keeping tabs on each other is one of the best ways to stay safe and avoid becoming a rape victim. However it is important to really know your friends. Rapists do not have to be strangers. In fact, it is rare that a victim is raped by someone that she does not know. Turning Point Services claims that an acquaintance, friend, or boyfriend of the victim commits more than 80% of rapes.

The most important thing a parent and student can do to prevent rape is to be aware and to talk about it. Parents need to ensure that their student knows that there is a risk and that it is real. Rape happens, and it does not discriminate. Most importantly, be sure that the student knows that they are responsible for protecting themselves from being the next victim of this crime.

Olivia Jones is a contributing health, fitness and relationship writer. As you can imagine, she writes on a variety of topics ranging from more light hearted content like fashion and Botox to more serious topics like sexual assault on campuses.

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