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Introduction
California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State L.A.) is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that is free from sexual assault and other forms of violence. Unfortunately, sexual assault and the often related dating and domestic violence and stalking are a reality for some of our students and employees.
This website explains what these crimes are, provides prevention and risk reduction information, outlines related laws and campus policies, identifies potential perpetrator penalties, describes actions victims can take to help protect their safety, identifies resources and rights for victims, and provides other valuable information. Please take the time to go through this site, share the information, and know that Cal State L.A. cares.
Sexual Violence
Sexual assault is the most common violent crime committed on university campuses in the United States. The victimization rate for college women is 28 rapes per 1,000 female students. It is estimated that more than 350 assaults may be experienced by women at an institution of higher education whose female student population numbers 10,000. For a university such as Cal State L.A. with an estimated 13,000 enrolled women this could mean 455 female students raped per year. An estimated 10% of collegiate sexual assault victims are male.
Sexual assault is often linked with dating/domestic violence (also known as intimate partner violence) and stalking. Each year, almost 5 million physical and sexual assaults are committed against women by their intimate partners. The highest rates of domestic violence are associated with college age women. Domestic violence is also committed against men. Each year 3 million assaults are perpetrated against men by their intimate partners.
In the most recent as well as largest U.S. study of non-fatal stalking almost 3.5 million individuals were found to have been stalked in the preceding year. The highest victimization rates were experienced by women and men 18-24 years of age.
Some students, female and male, are survivors of childhood rape and abuse.
Who We Are
This website is an education program of Project SAFE, Cal State L.A.'s sexual violence prevention and intervention program. Project SAFE is a collaborative effort among the University's Student Health Center, University Police, Cross Cultural Centers, Center for Student Involvement; and operational community partners, the East Los Angeles Women’s Center, Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, and LAC+USC Medical Center.
The primary purpose of Project SAFE is to aid the University in creating and maintaining an environment that is free from sexual assault and the related dating/domestic violence and stalking. Specifically, Project SAFE's partners aim to: help reduce the perpetration of campus-related incidents; ensure victims receive appropriate care, information about their options and legal rights, and access to campus and community services; and assist the University in its efforts to comply with related federal and state legislation.
Project SAFE was originally established through a grant (No. 2002-WA-BX-0012) awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
References
Baum, K., Catalano, S., and Rand, M. [2009]. Stalking victimization in the United States. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved January 15, 2009, from http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/svus.pdf
California Coalition Against Sexual Assault. (2001). Campus violence prevention resource guide.
Catalano, SM. (2006). Criminal victimization, 2005. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved January 14, 2008, from http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/cv05.pdf
Fisher, B., Cullen, F.T., Turner, M.G. (2000). The sexual victimization of college women. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved January 16, 2001, from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/182369.pdf
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2006). Understanding intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 12, 2009, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/ipv_factsheet.pdf
Sampson, R. (2002). Acquaintance rape of college students. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved January 7, 2008, from http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/RIC/Publications/e07063411.pdf
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