Ohio University had the third highest number of reports of sexual assault during the “red zone” compared to other Ohio Mid-American Conference universities, based on data from 2016-2018.
The red zone refers to the first six weeks of the academic year, when sexual assault reports increase on university campuses, according to a Journal of American College Health study. This time period could also extend to the first holiday break, such as fall or Thanksgiving break.
According to a study by the U.S. Department of Justice, September and October had the highest percentage of sexual assault victims that reported the incident.
The numbers for the Ohio MAC universities reflect the incidents that occurred and were reported to OU, the University of Akron, Miami University, University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University and Kent State University police departments during the time period of Aug. 25 to Oct. 6 in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
These incidents include rape, sexual imposition, gross sexual imposition, sexual offense, sexual battery and fondling.
During that time period in 2018, the Miami University Police Department received the most reports of sexual assaults this year with 12 reports of sex offenses, according to the Miami University Police Department Clery Act Public Crime Log.
In contrast, the University of Akron Police Department has no reports of sexual assault.
Miami had the most sexual assault reports with 25 sexual offense incidents since 2016, and the Akron and University of Toledo police departments have the least amount of reports of sexual assault.
Miami University
According to the Miami University Police Department crime and fire log, there have been 25 reports of sexual assault over the past three years between Aug. 25 and Oct. 6, with the number of reports increasing each year.
In August and September 2016, MUPD received five reports of sex offense reports, including one report of rape and one report of sexual imposition. In September and October 2017, there were eight reports of sex offense. Those reports included three reports of rape, one report of sexual battery and one report of fondling.
During August and September 2018, there were 12 reports of sex offenses, which include one report of fondling, one report of sexual imposition and one report of gross sexual imposition.
Bowling Green State University
The Bowling Green State University Police Department has received a total of 12 reports of sexual assault since 2016, with four reports each year.
In 2018, BGSU Police received four Campus Safety Act, or CSA, reports. In 2017, there were three CSA reports and one report of rape. In 2016, BGSU Police received two reports of rape and two CSA reports.
Ohio University
The Ohio University Police Department has received nine reports of sexual assault during the red zone time periods since 2016. Overall, the number of reports to OUPD have increased over the past three years.
In 2016, OUPD received three reports of rape, two in September and one in October. In 2017, OUPD received one report of gross sexual imposition.
Between Aug. 25 and Oct. 6, 2018, OUPD had five reports of sexual assault — three reports of rape, one report of rape and kidnapping, and one report of gross sexual imposition. Three of the reports occurred in unknown locations or suspects were unknown, and the other two cases the suspects are known or acquaintances to the victim, according to the reports filed.
Kent State University
Since 2016, the Kent State University Police Department has received four reports of sexual assault.
In 2016, there were two reports of sexual assault — one report of sexual battery and one report of rape — both reported in September. There were no reports of sexual assault to KSU Police during the red zone period in 2017.
In 2018, KSU Police received two reports of sexual assault — one report of rape and one report of sexual battery. According to the KSU Police reports, the rape case was reported in August, and the sexual battery incident was reported in September.
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo Police Department received three reports of sexual assault this year during the red zone period, an increase over the past three years.
Between Aug. 25 and Oct. 6, 2016, the department did not receive any reports of sexual assault. In 2017, there was one report of rape, which was reported in September.
According to the UTPD crime and fire log, there were two reported sex offenses in September 2018, both of which were reports of rape.
University of Akron
The University of Akron Police Department has received three reports of sexual assault since 2016, which is a decrease in reports of sexual assault during the red zone period, according to UAPD reports.
Two sexual assaults were reported to UAPD in September 2016 — one report of rape and one report of sexual imposition. In September 2017, UAPD received one report of gross sexual imposition.
So far in 2018, UAPD has not received any reports of sexual assault.
