More rapes reported, other crimes down on UNCW campus in 2017
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The UNCW security report is out for last year. The number of reported rapes on campus has gone up to almost a dozen.
In 2017, there were 11 rapes and one statutory rape reported on UNCW’s campus. According to the report, these numbers have been on the rise since 2015.
“I’d love to not have a job. I’d love to be at zero. But the reality is that it’s still ongoing,” said Amber Resetar, the Director of Title IX at UNCW.
Resetar thinks the increase in reported campus rapes in 2017 stems from several things. Her office has increased outreach on campus, they now have an online reporting form and most importantly, the national dialogue has skyrocketed.
“This was an issue, and I don’t want to necessarily say that it was buried, but it’s something that’s not frequently discussed. And so the fact that we’ve had this traction really since Harvey Weinstein, has enabled people to continue the dialogue in their personal life, but also to seek out some resources professionally as well if they need it,” said Resetar.
Resetar thinks the “Me Too” Movement has given students the strength to reach out.
“I think it’s just one of those circumstances where it’s become more of a discussed topic, and that it’s less one of those things that you really need to feel shameful about anymore,” said freshman Taylor Hall, who thinks the culture surrounding this topic has changed.
Hall says the university does a great job of making students feel comfortable.
“There are still probably unreported things. I mean, statistically it’s just likely. But I do think we’re getting more outreach from the community than we had been, at least when I started,” said Resetar.
Resetar says their efforts are continuous, but she says they have already made progress.
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