Sexual assaults at Muskingum

  According to crime statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Education, three forcible sexual assaults were

reported at Muskingum University in 2010, compared to one in both 2008 and 2009.

  Each of these took place in on-campus residential housing facilities.

  Although these numbers seem high in themselves, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) notes that

60 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to police.

  "It's happening more than we realize," said Muskingum University Police Officer Bethany Hayes.

  Hayes also noted that it is important put the statistics into perspective.

  "The big thing is comparing our numbers to other universities like Muskingum," said Hayes.

  A couple of Muskingum's sister universities, Capital University and Otterbein University, have only one on-campus

forcible sexual assault from 2008 to 2010, while Marietta College has six, which Hayes noted is close enough to

make the numbers on par with what would be expected of a school of Muskingum's size.

  When it comes to sexual assaults at Muskingum, Hayes said that most assaults take place in students' rooms.

  "Very seldom have I had one reported where alcohol and/or drugs weren't involved," said Hayes. "Nationwide, 85

percent of rapes involve alcohol and/or drugs. Here, it's usually after they've been intoxicated and headed back to

their rooms. Anywhere where kids reside is where I've had the assaults taking place, it's not happening in stairwells

and shrubs like people think."

  Hayes also said that in most sexual assaults, the victim knows the alleged attacker.

  "Every rape that I've investigated at Muskingum has been some sort of acquaintance to the victim," said Hayes.

  According to RAINN, this is the case for most sexual assaults that take place throughout the United States. Their

statistics state that approximately two-thirds of assaults are committed by someone know to the victim, while 38

percent of rapists are an actual friend or acquaintance.

  Although the numbers at Muskingum are not exceptional, each assault that takes place is reprehensible and it is

important to take steps to prevent as many sexual assault cases as possible.