Sexual assault victims rarely see justice on Virginia campuses

Katherine Johnson
Columnist

Recently, the Richmond Times-Dispatch investigated the way Virginia’s universities handle rape and sexual assaults. The issue demanded awareness after a University of Virginia student’s rape was taken lightly by the university. The assailant walked free after the school’s administrative procedure found him not guilty.

Now, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights wants universities to lower their “evidentiary standard,” and VCU has complied. This means that if a situation more than likely happened, the student can be held responsible for his or her actions, even if there is no hard evidence.

While many may question or be concerned about this standard, it shows that universities are starting to take sexual assaults and rapes on their campuses more seriously. Numbers for assault are high for both men and women on campus.

The Times-Dispatch reported that 20 percent of women are victims of attempted or completed sexual assault on college campuses, along with 6.1 percent of men. Of these assaults, less than 5 percent are reported to the police.

At VCU, previous punishments have included suspension, probation and required counseling. However, twice the victim has withdrawn the allegations, and those accused were found innocent in four cases.

Because of the new standard, many students who are victims of these assaults are more likely to see justice. It also rightfully shows that rape and sexual assault are being taken as seriously as other violent acts that occur on campus now.

Earlier in the semester, VCU students were aware that there was a serial fondler on campus. Like others, I laughed off the situation and didn’t take it as seriously as I should have. To those that experienced this, or any type of sexual assault, it’s not a matter that should be taken lightly.

Victims of sexual assault often find it hard to report the crime, don’t want to press charges at all or are deterred when alcohol is involved. Those who are assaulted and taken advantage of when under the influence are as much a victim as those that are attacked in other circumstances. They shouldn’t be frowned upon or ashamed to report the act because they’re doubtful that the university or law enforcement would believe them.

Too often cases like this are dismissed because the victim isn’t believed to be credible. Many accused walk away without punishment when alcohol is involved. With the lower standards, universities are forced to look into the situation and victims are more likely to see justice. Alcohol is no longer considered the assailant.

Sexual assaults are often kept quiet on campus. While we have received emails about incidents of this matter, we don’t receive VCU text alerts.

Everyone on the Monroe Park campus was aware of the shots recently fired at Broad and Laurel, either because of the VCU alert or word of mouth. The university was quick in alerting students, but we aren’t warned through text when a sexual assault has occurred.

Students should be aware of all crimes occurring on campus, including sexual assaults and rapes, because they’re all acts of violence. We can’t rate one as being more serious than another, when, in each case, someone was possibly harmed.

The new standard in dealing with sexual assault accusations is progress towards acknowledging that these crimes often go unpunished. Hopefully victims will be more likely to step forward knowing that they now have the law on their side. Those who commit the crimes will no longer receive a slap on the wrist, but will have to face the punishment that goes along with any crime or act of violence.