SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Facts and myths regarding sexual violence

• Women on American college campuses who are from 18 to 24 years of age are at greater risk of becoming victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking than women in the general population or women in a comparable age group. Research over the past 20 years has consistently estimated the rate of sexual assault among women who are in the age group traditionally considered to be college-aged as one in four.

• Studies have consistently shown that sexual activity primarily affects women and youth, and that most perpetrators are friends, acquaintances, or someone else who is known by the victim.

• In 1994, the Ms. Report on Recognizing, Fighting and Surviving Date and Acquaintance Rape demonstrated that one in four college women had been the victim of a completed or attempted rape, and that, in 84 percent of the attacks, the victim knew the perpetrator. 

• The National Violence Against Women Survey of 1998 demonstrated that 83 percent of rape victims were less than 25 years old when they were assaulted.

• In 2000, the Sexual Victimization of College Women survey estimated that a college with 10,000 students could expect more than 350 rapes per year to occur on that campus.

• Additionally, half of all stalking victims are between the ages of 18 and 29, and women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of domestic violence victimization. 

• While sexual assault primarily affects young women, they are not the only targets. Men, individuals with disabilities, members of cultural and religious minority groups, and lesbian/gay/transgendered individuals also experience sexual assault.

• Additional information is also available at:

  • Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women
    http://www.lacaaw.org/home.html

  • United States Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women
     http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw/MythsFactSexualViolence.htm 

How to file internal administrative complaints with the college and how to file criminal charges with local law enforcement officials

• Administrative complaints with the college regarding incidents of sexual violence may be initiated with the Campus Violence Response Team members (see below). 

• The Campus Violence Response Team will be able to provide victims with information and resources on obtaining peer support, counseling, trauma services, and how to proceed with criminal and civil charges. 

• The Los Angeles Community College District policy regarding sexual assault is found in Chapter XVI of the LACCD Board Rules (“Sexual Assault”), available at http://www.laccd.edu/board_rules/    

• Criminal charges may be filed with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on campus. The Sheriff's office is located in the trailer in front of the Men's gym.

Contact information for campus resources for students who are victims of sexual violence

Campus Violence Response Team (CVRT)
Any conversation with a Campus Violence Response Team member is kept confidential.

• Kathy Oborn - Team Lead
  818.710.2912
  obornkm@piercecollege.edu

• Miriam Gottlieb
  818.719.6430
  gottlimh@piercecollege.edu

• Abbey Klein
  818.719.6400
  kleinaj@piercecollege.edu

• Health Center
  Any conversation with Health Center personnel is not held confidential as they are mandated reporters.
  Beth Benne, RN
  818.710.4270
  benneea@piercecolleg.edu

• Los Angeles Sheriff's Dept.
  Any conversation with L.A. Sheriff's Dept. personnel is not held confidential as they are mandated reporters.
  Deputy Ron Nohles
  818.719.6450

Contact information for community resources for students who are victims of sexual violence