“There are always campus safety issues. There are school safety issues. They exist all the time. It’s important to be informed on why some of these numbers have increased,” said ISU Police Chief Joe Newport.
In the report, the number of reported rape cases nearly tripled, from six cases in 2017 to 21 in 2018. Ten of the cases were from the same victim and perpretrator.
Aggravated assault cases also increased from six cases to 10.
According to Chief Newport, many of the incidents have a common denominator.
“Nearly every one of these cases is where the person who was harmed and the person who committed the offense. They knew each other and many of those are rooted in domestic and dating situations,” he said.
Newport said the police department works closely with other campus offices, like Title IX, to make sure victims know where to turn to.
“We work with the student groups and campus life to make sure that people understand that they can have advocacy through different university offices if they feel they have been a victim. The result of that is undoubtedly going to be increased numbers anywhere,” he said.
Campus offices said they’re continuing to actively do their part to keep students safe.
“This particular year and the last few years, it’s clear that we have to concentrate on domestic and dating violence incidences and make sure there’s proper education and proper reporting,” said Chief Newport.
According to campus officials, any report made to the police or title ix office is taken into account.
All statistics listed in the Clery Act are reports. However, not all have become criminal cases or instances where the university would need to take action.
The full report can be found here .
