Crime At College

Increase In Disciplinary Actions At Post-Secondary Schools In The U.S.

Despite the overall downward trend in the number of crimes reported to law enforcement, there have been some major increases in the number disciplinary actions for drug and alcohol law violations from 2001 to 2013. What this means is that colleges and universities are declining to report criminal incidents to law enforcement and instead, are handling matters “in house.” This sends the wrong message to students, i.e., that unlawful conduct will be swept under the rug and handled by the school, rather than law enforcement.

In 2001, there were about 24,000 disciplinary actions for drug law violations. By 2013, that number increased to just over 54,000, a 127% increase.

*See below for more data on criminal activity on college campuses in the U.S.

On Campus Sexual Offenses

From 2001 to 2013, there was a 126% increase in the number of forcible sex crimes on campus. In addition, from 2012 to 2013, there was a 25% increase in the number of reported sex crimes, 4,000 to 5,000, respectively. Sex offenses are more likely to occur at colleges and universities with residence halls than those without them (4.6 vs. 0.5 per 10,000 full-time students).

Lawsuits For College Crimes

When a crime occurs on campus, students often believe that the college will take appropriate action. Oftentimes, college security does not. Time and time again, reports of an assault or incident get swept under the rug. A parent’s call may not be returned. The local police department may defer to campus security and not want to get involved. Our attorneys see this type of behavior time and time again.

Claims Against Schools – Negligence

Under federal and state law, a college or university may be held liable when a student is the victim of an on campus crime such as a physical assault or a sexual assault. Whether it occurs in a dorm room or somewhere else on campus, a college which fails to take reasonable precautions to protect students may face liability. Oftentimes, the college may be liable for negligence in the following:

• controlling access to buildings and dorms,
• video surveillance,
• enforcing student identification procedures, and
• failing to obtain or require student/employee badges.

Liability Of Other Parties (Fraternities, Sororities, Bars/Clubs)

In recent years, three of the most common cases involving on campus crime include hazing lawsuits, sexual assault lawsuits and alcohol accident lawsuits. In some instances, other parties can be held liable in addition to the college. A fraternity/sorority or bar or nightclub may be held liable.

For example, in an assault case, both the college and a local bar or club can be held liable where an underage student is served alcohol at the bar, and then goes back to her dorm where she is assaulted by an unknown third party perpetrator, who gained unauthorized access to the dorm. The bar can be held liable for serving alcohol to a minor, and the college may be liable for allowing an unknown third party (perpetrator) to access a private dorm room.

Additional Statistics On College Crime

According to the most recent data from the 2015 report, Indicators of School Crime and Safety, crimes on college campuses have decreased since 2001. However, as indicated above, the number of disciplinary actions have increased sharply. As indicated above, from 2001 to 2013, there was a 127% increase in the number of disciplinary actions for drug violations. Also, there was a 126% increase in the number of forcible sexual offenses.

While the number of disciplinary actions has increased across the board, the number of arrests has largely stayed the same. With the exception of drug arrests, arrests for alcohol violations and illegal weapons have decreased slightly.

Arrests At Post-Secondary Schools In The U.S.

These statistics clearly show that on campus crime still remains a problem. Drugs and sex offenses are some of the most serious issues on college campuses in the U.S.

From the Crime Victim Injury Law Library:

• Laffey, Bucci & Kent Investigating Sex Abuse Allegations at Seventh Day Adventist Schools in Tennessee and West Virginia Firm partner Brian Kent is filing a lawsuit against a national church organization and local schools in Tennessee and West Virginia for sexual abuse and extreme physical and mental abuse of at-risk kids.
• Sexual Assaults & Hazing in New Jersey High Schools and Colleges – What is the Law? (Part 1)Under New Jersey law, can high schools and colleges/universities be held liable for sexual assault and hazing?
• Two College Students Killed in Alleged Hazing Rituals College hazing can get out of hand quickly, especially when drugs or alcohol is involved. There has been a slew of recent deaths during hazing events at colleges in the U.S.
• Sexually Assaulted at College in Pennsylvania or New Jersey – What are Your Legal Rights? If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault on campus at college, you may feel that the school did not take enough steps to help you or protect your rights. This is a common complaint. Learn about legal rights in PA and NJ.

Laffey, Bucci & Kent – Crime Victim Injury Lawyers

Our lawyers handle a variety of crime victim injury cases including injury lawsuits against schools, universities and colleges in cases of alcohol injuries, assaults and sex abuse. For more information, contact our lawyers at (866) 641-0806 or visit our crime victim injury law library.