Rape continues to be an issue in higher learning, and a recent study says who the perpetrator is cannot be assumed.
Kevin Swartout of Georgia State’s psychology department led a study to investigate the motives of college rapists and found that college men who rape are not serial rapists, according to JAMA Pediatrics.
Swartout said he believes college men rape because of a physiological and psycological stimuli.
“It’s [men’s] attitude toward women, sex, or sense of entitlement or external factors, such as perceived opportunity or alcohol use by either victim or perpetrator,” he said.
One in five college women have been sexually assaulted, and are usually the victims of “incapacitated assault,” which is when they are raped while intoxicated, drugged or passed out, according to a 2014 White House report.
In 2012, Emory University police cited an increase in on-campus sexual offense cases, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Georgia State police department (GSUPD) reported eight forcible sex offenses in 2012, according to The Signal. GSUPD has also reported five forcible sexual offenses for 2013, according to GSUPD statistical reports.
GSUPD Deputy Chief Carlton Mullis said the 2015 annual report will reflect campus crime statistics for 2014, and the report is valid for a calendar year starting and ending in October.
Challenging the “college rape assumption”
The study challenged the widely held assumption that college rapists are repeat offenders based on a 2002 study that found 6.4 percent of college men committed or attempted rape; two in three college men committed repeat rapes, according to The Huffington Post.
“Several brave survivors have spoken out and pushed back against systems that have failed to support them. College administrators have been working very hard to prevent campus sexual violence and to support survivors,” Swartout said.
The researchers found among two samples collected over a 15 year time frame, 74.7 percent of the college rapists studied only completed rape during one academic year.
“These facts will allow researchers, campus administrators, policymakers and advocates to develop effective prevention and intervention programs and initiatives,” he said.
Sexual assault and the University’s initiatives
Georgia State junior political science major Diamond Danner said he believes personal history, revenge and control can be the instigators of rape.
“I think it gives that person more power to know at that moment, [they] have control over your body,” he said.
GSUPD has a safety escort officer on duty to escort students from Georgia State buildings, Five Points, Georgia State and Peachtree Center MARTA stations and nearby commercial parking lots.
Danner said he believes Georgia State is doing well at keeping the student body aware of sexual assault cases.
“Some institutions don’t want information like that leaking to the public, because they’re scared it’ll hurt the number of people applying to that school,” Danner said.
Lokyee Lee, Georgia State senior, said the university should use counseling to help rape victims and thinks education is imperative.
“Rape is never the victim’s fault; it’s always the offender,” she said.
The Crime Prevention Unit offers a “Fight to Flight” program to teach women preventative and escape techniques, and to identify and take necessary steps following an attack or sexual assault, according to Georgia State’s Safety and Security website.
“The most important thing is that the victim gets the help he or she needs,” Mullis said.
Other support services Georgia State offers include Student Victim Assistance and the Counseling and Testing Center.
Haven-Understanding Sexual online education module is also provided to inform students about healthy relationships.
Danner said cautious measures can be used to reduce rape.
“Be wary of who you are interacting with, even strangers. Establish sexual boundaries,” he said.
