FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How prevalent is rape on campus?

Fortunately, the UCSC campus environment has so far been relatively free from rapes by unknown assailants in the outdoor environment. The last reported person raped by a man in the back fire trails was in Fall 1998. Most rapes at UCSC are committed by male students who are acquainted with the person they rape. An average of 5 are reported each year. All research regards reported acquaintance rape as a very small fraction of those actually committed.

How prevalent is rape off campus?

Santa Cruz City has a high rate of reported rape. Approximately the same rate as L.A., San Diego, and the Bay area.

How prevalent is rape in the US?

National studies reveal very high rates of rape. The most recent Department of Justice survey concludes 311,000 victims per year. (This includes male and female, gay and straight.) This figure is believed to be a low estimate. The National Victim Center concludes 683,000 per year. The FBI has concluded that 1 in 3 women will be raped during their lifetime. 91% of those raped are female; 9% of those raped are male; 99% of those committing rape are male.

What is the difference between stranger rape and acquaintance rape?

The law regards them the same in terms of seriousness. Most rapes (75-80%) are acquaintance rapes. Some specific emotional reactions are different but both are traumatic life-changing events. Either can have added physical injuries.

What about male rape?

Men can be and are raped by other men. Outside of rape in a gay relationship, most men who are raped are raped by straight homophobic males. Rape is a form of aggressive put-down and hostility. Men who are raped can find support in counseling. Call us for resources.

How prevalent is same gender/transgender rape?

Females as well as males can and do rape their same gender acquaintances or partners. Research is still relatively sparse. Most studies are of a small sample or do not identify the gender of the assailant. The first national survey of transgender violence found 13.7% reported being the victim of rape or attempted rape. The sample size was 402 persons.

What IS rape?

A rape has been committed when a person forces, threatens with force or exploits another's inability to function to gain sexual access against the others will or consent (or inability to consent). Inability to function (or resist) can result from alcohol overuse, drugs, sleep or disability. Legally it is a felony. Emotionally it is a life-altering trauma. Consent is defined by the legal system as "positive cooperation."


If your question isn't answered here, please contact us.