Why does the University report its crime statistics?
First, because it’s the right thing to do. The campus community and its neighbors should know whether CSU Stanislaus is a safe place — and the data show that it is. Second, and very important, the longstanding Clery Act requires colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs to maintain and disclose campus crime statistics and security information.
Why is violence against women getting so much attention now?
Violence against women has become a national discussion in part because the White House has been outspoken on the topic. In addition, and what directly affects every college and university, is the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which President Obama signed into law in 2013. (The original act, commonly known as VAWA, was signed in 1994 and has been strengthened in subsequent years.) VAWA amends the Clery Act to require institutions to collect data for incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, and to include certain policies, procedures and programs pertaining to those crimes in their campus safety reports.
Violence against anyone should not be tolerated, and CSU Stanislaus is making a concerted effort to address it. The Safe Campus Committee and the student-led Warrior Watch program seek both to prevent violence and to make sure that if it occurs, it is reported.
Why are there so few cases of sexual violence reported at CSU Stanislaus?
The current data are for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 academic years, and VAWA’s new requirements don’t go into effect until this year. With that in mind, the University expects the number of reported incidents to be higher in next year’s Campus Safety Report, both as a result of the new requirements and the University’s proactive approach to dealing with such matters.
How do CSU Stanislaus’ policies compare with other CSU campuses?
The policies are the same across the CSU. A CSU executive order signed in June specifies what is required to implement the federal and state laws on sexual violence and defining the range of offenses. The CSU “is committed to creating and sustaining an educational and working environment free of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking,” the order states. “The safety and well-being of the campus community is a priority.”