DAVIS, Calif., Sexual assaults are on the decline at the University of California Davis (UCD), according to statistics gathered in compliance with the federal Clery Act. Despite the recorded decrease on UCD-affiliated property, officials say sexual assault is still a prevalent issue and a vast majority of cases are not reported.
According to the California Aggie, the total number of forcible and non-forcible sexual assaults on UCD-owned-and-controlled property dropped from 35 in 2003 to 32 in 2004. The Clery Act statistics also encompass criminal activity reported at the UCD Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif., and its surrounding area.
In addition to a decrease in sexual assaults, reports of aggravated assaults, robberies, arson and motor-vehicle thefts also fell last year.
UCD students received an E-mail containing the Clery report statistics and additional information during the first week of school.According to UCD officials, one of the reasons for the drop may be more proactive patrolling. They also say UCD’s Police Department has been more in-tune to criminal activity trends, which resulted in fewer incidents reported.
Although there has been a decrease in the number of sexual assaults reported at UCD, school officials say decreased reporting does not necessarily mean there have been fewer assaults. In fact, high numbers might reflect a campus environment where victims of sexual assault feel comfortable coming forward with their cases.
Officials also noted that at UCD, there is not a high rate of rape where victims are unfamiliar with their assailants. Rather, sexual assault often involves two acquainted individuals where alcohol and drugs play a role.
In contrast to the drop in sexual assualts, the Clery report found that the number of drug arrests, burglaries and disciplinary actions for liquor have increased since 2003. Most of the increases occurred in areas adjacent to the UCD Medical Center.