Between 2019 and 2024, over 45,000 reports of rape or sexual assault were made to colleges and universities in the U.S., though experts believe this number significantly underrepresents the true extent of campus sexual violence. CBS News analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Education, revealing that more than 80% of large four-year institutions reported incidents of rape or fondling at least twice annually. Cornell University, for instance, reported 238 incidents over six years, averaging 8 incidents per 5,000 students each year, compared to a national average of 4 incidents per 5,000 students. The data, collected under the Jeane Clery Act, includes reports made to campus security authorities but does not account for unreported cases. Surveys indicate that about 1 in 5 undergraduates experience sexual violence, yet most do not report it. Some universities may exclude certain reports, and audits have shown that reported incidents increase during compliance checks but decrease afterward. This suggests that schools might underreport to maintain a safer image, as highlighted by law professor Corey Rayburn Yung. The discrepancy between reported data and survey findings indicates that campuses may not fully disclose the extent of sexual violence.
QUESTION: How might increased transparency and accurate reporting of campus sexual violence impact student safety and trust in universities?
Experts say campus data undercounts sexual assaults
