Harassed: New survey finds 62 percent of college students say they were sexually harassed or abused

Last Thursday a female student reported being sexually assaulted in a Southeast Missouri State University residence hall.

Both the victim and the accused male attacker both live on campus but in separate buildings.

While the number of reported sexual assaults at the university has remained small over the last four years, nearly 62 percent of college students say they've been sexually harassed while attending college, according to a nationwide survey.

But the survey's definition of sexual harassment -- which includes anything from a suggestive glance to forced contact -- is too broad, say Southeast Missouri State University officials and students.

"It is a broad definition but certainly anytime a person feels sexually uncomfortable in any situation would be considered harassment," said Kelly Burris-Wesener, director of Residence Life.

The online survey, conducted by the American Association of University Women, received responses from more than 2,000 male and female students, between the ages of 18 and 24, nationwide. The survey asked students to define sexual harassment and indicate whether they have experienced it.

The results of the survey indicate that sexual harassment may be significantly more common than is reported at Southeast Missouri State University.

"As for unwanted actions or gestures, we don't see them in great numbers," said Judy St. John, director for the university's Center for Health and Counseling. "Probably less than five a semester."

At Southeast, two forcible sexual offenses were reported on campus during 2004. These occurred in dormitories or other residential facilities. That number is down from previous years. In 2001 through 2003, four forcible sexual offenses were reported each year.

The Department of Public Safety defines forcible sexual offense as any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly or against that person's will. Forcible sex offenses include rape, sodomy or forcible fondling.

DPS is required by law to annually provide crime statistics on campus. Statistics from 2005 won't be released until March.

Last Thursday's sexual assault in a university's dorm room occurred at approximately 2 a.m., said Doug Richards, director of DPS. The investigation should conclude within the next few days and will be turned over to the prosecuting attorney's office.

Dorm rooms are where the majority of sexual harassment occurs, said more than 39 percent of the students surveyed by the AAUW. One-fifth of the students said they were harassed in classrooms or lecture halls.

DPS is also required to provide statistics for nonforcible sexual offenses, which includes any non-physical type of sexual harassment. No cases were reported in the last four years.

While these DPS statistics seem small compared to the survey results, Mitten believes a lot of cases of sexual harassment go unreported at Southeast.

Students rarely report sexual harassment to a university official -- only 7 percent of students said they reported it, according to the AAUW survey.

Southeast junior Brooke Privett believes students who have been sexually harassed keep quiet with the thought of it getting back to the person who did the harassing.

"I think I might keep it to myself in fear that they would cause further harm to me because it would make them very mad," she said.

Burris-Wesener said she refers students with complaints of sexual harassment to the Judicial Affairs Office, the Dean of Students or the Center for Health and Counseling.

"I wouldn't identify Southeast as a place for sexual harassment, but we're working with a population where these things are going to happen," Burris-Wesener said.

Half of the male students surveyed and 31 percent of the females admit to harassing another student while in college. A majority of the students, 59 percent, admit they thought harassing another student was funny.

Kayla Sanson, a graduate student at Southeast, said she has never been sexually harassed, with the exception of a few joking comments made by male friends. But according to the survey, sexual comments are considered sexual harassment.

"I didn't take offense to it," she said. "There is a fine line between joking and actual harassment."

Mitten said Judicial Affairs will investigate any complaint that arises. Depending on the seriousness of the allegations, there are a number of things he can do. If Mitten has a situation where a student has sexually harassed another student, he can limit a student to certain areas of the campus or ban the student from residence halls.

"It works much like a restraining order, and if the student breaks it they can be arrested," Mitten said.

Staff writer Kyle Morrison contributed to this report.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

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