NCJ Number
199871
Journal
Campus Safety Journal Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2003 Pages: 17-18
Date Published
April 2003
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article provides college and high school administrative staff with tips on policies that can assist in investigating and preventing rapes of students by other students.
Abstract
Carla Delvin, a psychologist with the San Bernardino, CA, school system, suggests a protocol for campus officials in dealing with a rape or other sexual assault. First, ensure that the victim is comfortable with the people questioning her/him; second, if the assault happened on campus, be sure to have a sworn police officer or detective collect evidence; and third, be aware of sexual assault services off-campus. Campus police and school administrators must not attempt to minimize or cover up the sexual assault after the fact. This amounts to obstruction of justice and undermines crime prevention efforts. Most rape cases that involve student victims are perpetrated by boyfriends, friends, or acquaintances. Experts agree that most student rapes and molestations involve alcohol abuse. One campus police chief advises that a frank discussion of alcohol and parties is the key to helping students, especially females, protect themselves from sexual assault. To avoid victimization, those who attend parties must limit their alcohol intake and stay in close contact with trustworthy friends during the party. Further, when campus security officials know that an at-risk sex offender is present on campus, this information should be shared with other school faculty and staff.