Should I worry that my daughter will be a target of sexual assault?

Sorry but I not only question that article but the author as well.
As quoted, "One in five women report being a victim of sexual assault while studying at America’s colleges and universities today. Another study determined that one in four college women have survived rape or attempted rape since age 14. A current trend estimates that one in three women will be sexually assaulted during her life."

I find these stats hard to believe. Not that I think there are not issues, but that just seems suspicious. These numbers could be true but I would want to ask some more questions about how this data was derived.

The statistics are well know and have been reported and documented on by scores of sources including those below from CNN, The Washington Post along with The National Sexual Violence Resource Center. The author's demerit experience at West Point, whatever that was, has no bearing on the reality of the numbers.

http://college.usatoday.com/2015/09...t-statistic-validated-in-new-national-survey/

http://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/...packet_statistics-about-sexual-violence_0.pdf

https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca...c80be2-5e29-11e5-b38e-06883aacba64_story.html
 
No, it was not documented but reported by those you noted above. The source is the AAU which has a limited membership of colleges and a limited survey. Also, ask yourself questions about the survey. How many students responded, who was likely to respond, what are the definitions in the survey, what accounts for an assault? There are all sorts of things to look at. Have 20% of the college women you know been assaulted? I honestly don't think that is the case in the college women I know and my wife would say the same. I'm not trying to downplay the issue. I think there is a problem for men and women but I also don't believe these numbers. The Bureau of Justice Statistics sites this:

  • The rate of rape and sexual assault was 1.2 times higher for nonstudents (7.6 per 1,000) than for students (6.1 per 1,000).
A far cry from that survey. Of course, we would have to validate these numbers as well and the big question would be how many go unreported which would impact these statistics and may prove that 20% number. Of course, I could be wrong.
 
The simple answer is NO. I've been on "civilian" college campuses and would be extremely anxious for any daughter to go to a large state university or even many private colleges. The drinking is out of hand and contributes greatly to sexual harassment and "date" rape. From a grad, the only way you can get into a problem with SH (in my opinion) as USNA is off the grounds and in a drinking/partying atmosphere. At USNA the chances of this are virtually NIL. As I've ingrained in my kid's heads... "Nothing good happens after midnight."
 
I would venture a guess (yes, pure speculation without any link to support me) that 95% of all of these sexual assault encounters at military academies involve the use of alcohol.

Staying sober is the best way to avoid these "bad situations."

Sober for both men and women. I have a DD in regular college and while I tell her to never drink till she can't remember, boys also have to be told the same to protect themselves as well.
 
A lot has been said about the statistics so far. I'd just like to add that the culture here is about protecting each other and looking out for one another. There are sexual harassment prevention briefs for each class every semester. For something as simple as liberty, most companies are pushing the buddy system. From company sexual harassment prevention representatives all the way up to the commandant and beyond, it is crystal clear that sexual harassment or assault will not be tolerated.

While the push towards sexual harassment prevention is present in many colleges, I see it tenfold here versus when I was at civilian college.
 
I think there is a much bigger movement now to promote awareness. I have a DD plebe now who knows that my wife and I were concerned about this. She shared this with us from this fall:


I actually would worry more about my DD at a civilian school where drinking is more commonplace. It seems like USNA is making changes and going in the right direction.
Thanks!
 
No. We received significantly more training on sexual assault/harassment than necessary during my four years at USNA. In fact, my class' speech from our guest speaker on Commissioning/Graduation Day contained a very brief congratulatory message and mainly focused on how its now our job as officers to combat sexual assault. Your daughter will be fine and there are numerous resources she can utilize should she even feel the slightest bit unsafe.
 
As you can see, I haven't posted/even been on here for a while. But I saw this post and had to say something. As a current female plebe I feel very safe here. Many of these guys are upstanding and respectful men and, like posts above mine have mentioned, we get MULTIPLE SAPR (sexual assault prevention and response) briefs every semester. I have told many of the guys in my class, whom I have only known for a few months, that when I turn 21 (soon) I would only want to go with them because I know they would protect me at my most vulnerable moments. If there is anything I hope you take away from this is it is what many before me have said, she is much safer here than at a civilian school. Good luck with everything!
 
My daughter will be applying to the Naval and other academies soon. I remember the days of a lot of sexual assaults against female's at different Academies. As a mother, should I worry about this? Are there stringent safeguards in place now?


I dislike these types of questions. It seems like a cry for reassurance. Of course it has happened, but at a lower rate than most colleges. A bold headline like that draws negative attention. The academy is already under intense scrutiny. There has probably never been a safer time to attend. The poster has a son in an academy that could probably tell her all she needs to know. There are instances of sexual harassment at all colleges. Regardless of any answers you could have received, these kids by and large are the very best of the best. I bet you already knew that. Just my 2 cents.
 
And all the lectures and seminars and prevention advice go right out the window when your BAC is 0.2.

Make it a condition of appointment to ban all alcohol use by all cadets, regardless of age until graduation.

The same way legal marijuana use (in Washington or Colorado for example) is also banned. Don't like it? Don't apply.

If implemented, sexual assaults would drop to almost zero.
 
And all the lectures and seminars and prevention advice go right out the window when your BAC is 0.2. Make it a condition of appointment to ban all alcohol use by all cadets, regardless of age until graduation. The same way legal marijuana use (in Washington or Colorado for example) is also banned. Don't like it? Don't apply. If implemented, sexual assaults would drop to almost zero.

Officers need to learn about responsible alcohol consumption at some point. It might as well be when they turn 21. I don't think you penalize everyone because of the actions of a few, or because "something" might happen. This is like banning guns in the military because someone might get hurt. JMPO.
 
Officers need to learn about responsible alcohol consumption at some point. It might as well be when they turn 21. I don't think you penalize everyone because of the actions of a few, or because "something" might happen. This is like banning guns in the military because someone might get hurt. JMPO.

Why not allow them to legally smoke weed when they are at the USAFA in Colorado? They need to lean about responsible legal marijuana consumption at some point, right?
 
Why not allow them to legally smoke weed when they are at the USAFA in Colorado? They need to lean about responsible legal marijuana consumption at some point, right?
No they don't. It's an illegal substance at the federal level and is banned in the military.
 
And all the lectures and seminars and prevention advice go right out the window when your BAC is 0.2.

Make it a condition of appointment to ban all alcohol use by all cadets, regardless of age until graduation.

The same way legal marijuana use (in Washington or Colorado for example) is also banned. Don't like it? Don't apply.

If implemented, sexual assaults would drop to almost zero.

This is one of the stupidest ideas I have ever seen. The fact that most mids are under 21 doesn't keep them from drinking, why would you think another rule would?
 
No they don't. It's an illegal substance at the federal level and is banned in the military.

The military academies can make their own rules regarding what is illegal/off limits to cadets and what is not.

Riding a motorcycles is legal but banned for cadets. Getting married is legal but banned for cadets.

What makes you think they couldn't ban alcohol as a condition of appointment? It's not a hard concept to grasp.
 
This is one of the stupidest ideas I have ever seen. The fact that most mids are under 21 doesn't keep them from drinking, why would you think another rule would?

Immediate disenrollment comes to mind. Test positive for any BAC over 0.01 and you're out.

The Govt could show a compelling argument for banning alcohol from all cadets, since most academy sexual assaults are alcohol related.
 
Immediate disenrollment comes to mind. Test positive for any BAC over 0.01 and you're out.

The Govt could show a compelling argument for banning alcohol from all cadets, since most academy sexual assaults are alcohol related.

This is dumb. It's like abstinence only sex-ed: telling people they can't do something just guarantees they'll still do it but not responsibly.
Mids/cadets already tend to have a spotty track record when we get out in the "real world" with handling alcohol, a flat out ban would just make it worse.
 
Immediate disenrollment comes to mind. Test positive for any BAC over 0.01 and you're out.

The Govt could show a compelling argument for banning alcohol from all cadets, since most academy sexual assaults are alcohol related.

Who would sign up for that? This isn't supposed to be prison or a monastery. We aren't going to the academy to be monks. Like it or not, the Academies are still collages. Mids are still going to drink, legal or not.
 
This is dumb. It's like abstinence only sex-ed: telling people they can't do something just guarantees they'll still do it but not responsibly.

The only thing that is "dumb" is believing that an appointed cadet will not be able to follow the rules as a condition of enrollment.
 
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