Reporting Rape in a National Sample of College Women

Abstract

Background: Studies indicate that a small percentage of rapes are reported to law enforcement officials. Research also suggests that rapes perpetrated by a stranger are more likely to be reported and that rapes involving drugs and/or alcohol are less likely to be reported. College women represent a unique and understudied population with regard to reporting rape. Methods: In the current study, the authors interviewed a national sample of 2,000 college women about rape experiences in 2006. Results: Only 11.5% of college women in the sample reported their most recent/only rape experience to authorities, with only 2.7% of rapes involving drugs and/or alcohol reported. Minority status (ie, nonwhite race) was associated with lower likelihood of reporting, whereas sustaining injuries during the rape was associated with increased likelihood of reporting. Discussion: Reporting, particularly for rapes involving drugs and alcohol, is low among college women. Implications for policy are discussed.

Keywords:

• college populations
• rape
• reporting
• sexual assault

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by National Institute of Justice grant 2005-WG-BX-0006 (Principal Investigator: Dean G. Kilpatrick, PhD). Views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of National Institute of Justice. Heidi S. Resnick would like to acknowledge current grant funding (Prevention of Postrape Drug Abuse: Replication Study, NIDA R01 DA023099).