Rape Rate May Show Signs of Growing Help

By Connect Mason Reporter Rachael Dickson

Presidential candidate Nicole Kukuruda stated in Thursday's debate , “[Mason’s] rape rate is the highest in the state.”

How true is this statement?

When contacted about the statement, Director of Sexual Assault Services Connie Kirkland said, “We could be the highest in reported rapes of other campuses and that’s because we have my office, Sexual Assault Services. Students know that they can come to us and report without fearing any jeopardy or if they don’t want to deal with the police. Most campuses don’t have the support network that we have here at Mason. ”

According to the 2007 Security Report available online at the GMU police website, in the section “Sex Offenses Forcible,” 19 incidents were reported in 2004, 6 in 2005, and 9 in 2006.

“Whenever any jurisdiction has a good support network for rape survivors, reports go up,” Kirkland said. “If there’s not that, then they have to go to the police. If they’re not sure about going to the police then they have nowhere else to go. That’s what happens not just around the state but around the country.”

“I really appreciate the care that Sexual Assault Services offers, as I have a friend who benefited from it during her time of need,” Kukuruda said, when asked to comment. “The fact still remains, though, our rape rate is high. There could be two reported rapes a year, and it would still be too high. There is so much work that needs to be done to prevent rape in the first place. Upgrading call boxes so they are in working order is one of many steps that can be taken. Our help for rape victims is above par and commendable, but I would like to see a university where those services aren't needed in the first place because women are free from violence.”