Rape and all types of sexual assault are a problem on and near college campuses. And “Binghamton University is no different,” a health expert said.
Research estimates that 15 to 44 percent of all college women will experience date rape, said Beth Riley, coordinator of sexual assault programs at BU’s Counseling Center. Rape on college campuses happens most often to freshmen, especially during the beginning of each semester and spring break, she said.
“Increased predatory behavior could lead to this form of rape,” Riley said. “Many freshmen let their guard down and stop using the buddy system.”
Alcohol, date rape drugs and other illegal substances can lead to incapacitation.
“People can take advantage of this incapacitation,” Riley said.
Predators, Riley said, could just be waiting for the right moment.
“One study done near Boston by David Lisak revealed that the majority of undetected rapists are serial rapists,” she said.
Other forms of rape and assault common on college campuses include men against men in hazing, Riley said.
“Rape isn’t always about sex,” she said. “It’s often about showing the victim who has more power and control.”
The majority of college students have experienced some form of hazing, according to a November 2008 Student Health 101 newsletter. Fifty-five percent of students reported that they had experienced a form of hazing in a 2008 study by researchers at the University of Maine in Orono.
Most rapes happen off campus, Riley said, and are not reported to on-campus officials.
“That is where the alcohol is,” she said. “More rapes and other sexual assaults include alcohol than those acts that don’t.”
This also occurs, Riley said, because that is where many students live. According to Riley, more than half of BU students live off campus.
“We can’t quantify reports that aren’t reported,” said Timothy Faughnan, deputy chief of Binghamton’s New York State University Police. “It is accurate to state that there are probably cases like this that go unreported.”
Riley said students may be hesitant to report incidents of sexual assaults for a variety of reasons.
“Students might be embarrassed or horrified,” she said. “They might also fear retaliation or have an emotional attachment to the offender.”
The vast majority of any report of rape that University police receive is under the form of acquaintance rape, Faughnan said.
“The victim usually knew the assailant involved,” he said.
We have not had an occurrence of stranger rape in recent years, Faughnan said.
“Generally there is a connection between the assailant and victim,” he said. “They may have known each other or socialized together at a place like a party or night club.”
Rape crimes by strangers is much less common on BU’s campus, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, Faughnan said.
“Students should be aware of both types of situations,” he said. “They should not develop a false sense of security.”
Drinks, Faughnan said, should not be left unattended.
“If you are drinking, then please pay attention to how much you are drinking and your level of intoxication,” he said. “A higher level of intoxication can cloud judgment and impair in many ways.
Don’t walk alone at night, Faughnan said.
“If you are going Downtown, you should stay with your friends,” he said. “The best thing people can do is look out for each other.”
Riley said signs that a friend or acquaintance might have been a victim of rape can vary.
“These signs include a change in behavior, depressive symptoms, anger or pain,” she said.
Since 2004, Riley said, the campus has been increasing programs to prevent sexual assaults.
“We want people to be aware that there is help for those who are assaulted,” she said.
Faughnan suggested students be careful at all times.
“We all have to have the frame of mind that anything can happen anywhere,” he said.