Symposium—Beyond Prosecution: Sexual Assault Victim’s Rights in Theory and Practice Symposium
Young women attending colleges and universities throughout the United States face a rate of sexual assault that is significantly higher than the general population. The United States Department of Justice (Department of Justice) found that for every one thousand female students, thirty-five sexual assaults occur every year, making it clear that rape is now an unfortunate yet prominent factor in the typical college experience. The widespread reluctance of academic institutions to deal with rape as a disciplinary and legal issue compounds the prevalence of sexual assault. The end result for victims is falling grades, prolonged school absence, and for many, eventual school drop out or failure. Simply put, sexual assault is a significant barrier to equal education for young women today. . . .