Comparing sex offense numbers by campus in the Midwest
Two rapes in a single week were reported on the University of Missouri campus last week.
This news comes after two rapes were reported near the campus just over two weeks ago.
ABC 17 News compared numbers of forcible sex offenses on four college campuses of varying sizes in the Midwest to the University of Missouri numbers.
Starting with the University of Missouri: in 2010, there were five sex offenses reported on campus. In 2011, the number jumped to 11. Then in 2012, that number dropped back down to six.
The 2013 report was not available.
Another Midwest University, Iowa State, had the highest number of reported sex offenses out of the four campuses compared. A total of 37 offenses were reported between 2010 and 2013.
ABC 17 News also pulled numbers from the University of Kansas. There were a total of 12 sex offenses reported between 2010 and 2013, with six of the 12 being reported in the last year.
And finally, ABC 17 News looked at numbers from a smaller school, the University of Central Missouri. Although a smaller campus, there were a total of 16 sex offenses reported between 2011 and 2013.
Captain Brian Weimer with the University of Missouri Police Department said while numbers on the Mizzou campus may seem high, there could be a reason.
“It could be simply because there’s more people reporting them,” Weimer said. “For a long time, there were a lot of studies and statistics that showed rape is one of the most under reported crimes in the nation, so hopefully people are realizing the big campaign that we’re out there pushing to make sure victims of rape and sexual assault are getting the assistance they need. There’s nothing to indicate that we’re seeing a rise in sexual assaults.”
He said there have been more resources developed over the years to help crime victims.
“It’s critical that victims, not only rape victims, but of all crimes report them so we can get them the resources that they need and so we can accurately report crimes on campus,” Weimer said.
