Report Examines Role, Opinions Of Campus Police In Sex Assault Cases

Jan. 29, 2014
SHSU Media Contact: Beth Kuhles

Research has consistently shown that college students are at higher risk of sexual assault.

Recent estimates indicate that 20-to-25 percent of college women will experience an attempted or completed sexual assault during their college careers and that less than 5 percent of these victims will report the crime to police.

To understand the role of campus police in sexual assault cases, the Crime Victims’ Institute at Sam Houston State University conducted a survey of 118 law enforcement officers from colleges and universities across the state. The survey assessed officer and departmental perception of sexual assult and examined the role of officers in the process, the collaborative efforts they are involved in, and the resources provided to victims after a sexual assault incident.

Among the key findings of the study were:

• 72 percent of campus law enforcement officers surveyed had responded to at least one sexual assault case in their current position.
• Three-quarters of campus officers surveyed received specialized training on sexual assault, including investigation (77 percent), the role of alcohol and intoxication in sexual assaults (59 percent), and victim sensitivity training (64 percent).
• Officers overwhelming agreed that sexual assault was a problem at Texas colleges and universities (88 percent) but indicated that it was less of a problem on their own campus (51 percent).
• Less than half of officers surveyed believe that Texas colleges and universities have effective responses to sexual assault, and only one-third of the officers believed their campus administrators took a proactive approach to the problem. In addition, less than half of the law enforcement officers surveyed said their departments were involved in efforts to improve response to sexual assault case.
• Seven out of 10 officers surveyed said their campuses had access to sexual assault nurse examiners and 68 percent of their campuses offer victim services.
• 64 percent of officers surveyed said they understood the federal requirements for sexual assaults under the Clery Act, while only 44 percent said they were aware of mandates under Title IX.

“Campus law enforcement officers are assets to our institutions and play a key role in responding to cases of sexual assault,” the report said. “Improving response to college sexual assault will need to include multidisciplinary collaboration amongst campus authorities and community agencies, including law enforcement officers.”

While many police agencies respond to cases of sexual assault, campus police have additional federal requirements to track, respond to and prevent these crimes through the Clery Act, Title IX and the upcoming Campus SaVE Act. Unlike municipal departments, campus police also are under the purview of campus administration, which influences the department’s resources, training and operations.

The report also commented on the importance of campus law enforcement officers being included in discussions on improving response and procedures to sexual assault on college campuses.

“Sexual Assault on College Campuses: Perceptions and Approaches of Campus Law Enforcement Officers,” which was authored by Molly Smith, Nicole Wilkes and Leana Bouffard, is available at crimevictimsinstitute.org/publications.

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