Sexual assault on campus is a BFD
A fifth of Cornell women report unwanted sexual contact
A new report released by the American Association of Universities last week found 23 percent of female undergrads and five percent of males have experienced “unwanted sexual contact.”
The stats, which compiled data from 27 universities, claimed Cornell’s rate of unwanted contact was 22.6 percent for women and six percent for men.
The response rate of 19 percent — the number who participated in the study — has been a source of concern, and has even given rise to doubts of the report’s validity.
But a study conducted last year by the University of Michigan found almost exactly the same degree of prevalence of sexual assault on campus, with a much more robust 67 percent response rate.
Junior Jess Lee, posing for a campaign to increase sexual assault awareness with The Connection Project 1865
Some have suggested these estimates are likely to be lower than the true figures due to such intangible factors as shame, denial and avoidance.
Consent matters. The Tab Cornell will be covering this issue in a series, stay tuned for Part 2.