About 50 percent of reported assaults come from victims who did so accidentally or unknowingly, with no intent on pursuing an investigation.
University officials are required to report cases of sexual assault.
But as of this fall, some students who are victims of sexual assault can request that their claims be kept anonymous.
It effectively ends Ohio University’s investigation since the victim’s name is removed from the process, said Martha Compton, director of the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility.
All university employees, including Resident Assistants, are mandated to report incidents ofsexual assault.
“In some cases, students aren’t meaning to make a report, and instead they are trying to ask for assistance or resources, but they disclose this information to someone required to report it,” Compton said.
About 50 percent of sexual assault cases are reported to university officials by victims who do not want the alleged crime investigated, Compton said.
Students’ names were previously always noted in the case file so the university could begin its investigation.“We always use names in the Title IX report so we can reach out and offer services to the victim in the initial meeting,” Compton said. “If we proceed with an investigation, then the person who is charged also has the right to know who is making the accusation so they can defend themselves.”
The university will not grant anonymity to all students who report a case of sexual assault and will be given on a case by case basis, said Dianne Bouvier, interim executive director at the Office of Institutional Inequity.
“In granting confidentiality, we have to identify whether or not there was the use of force with a weapon or significant physical violence, or also if prior allegations have been made against a specific person that could affect the greater good and safety of the community,” Compton said.
Anonymity may also be granted to allegations concerning sexual harassment, dating violence and stalking.
Administrators hope that this gives victims more freedom within the process.
The Office of Institutional Inequity and the Office of Community Standards receive all reports of sexual assault on campus from university officials who have talked with victims.
Representatives from both offices will then meet with the student who made the claim.
Now, students can ask the university at this meeting to keep their name removed from the investigation.
“This issue is especially prevalent on the national stage, as one in five women will be a victim of sexual assault at least once in her life with instances higher while on campus,” Compton said.
“We’re working hard to prevent and intervene, and we are especially trying to have students understand consent, and how to give and deny it.”
Some students consider this opportunity for confidentiality as a positive change for victims of sexual assault.
“We should do what we can to give survivors of sexual violence more power with what happens afterward,” said Madison Koenig, a senior studying English and a member of F--kRapeCulture.
“Retraumatization is a theory that’s popular in counseling where reports to authorities and the system take power away, and then it becomes another thing that’s traumatized them on top of the actual assault.”
Victims of sexual assault who would like to remain anonymous or get help with the process can also use other resources on campus such as the Survivor Advocacy Program and Campus Care.
“The Office of Community Standards can’t really provide the more emotional support that survivors need because we have to support both students — the respondent and the complainant,” Compton said.
@kcoward
kc769413@ohio.edu
