It’s the start of a new academic year, and colleges are brimming with exciting academic challenges and social opportunities. A dark and often hidden side of student life, however, is the prevalence of sexual assault.

DOWNLOAD: Be Safe at College Resources
According to RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), one out of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime, and college women aged 18-24 are at three times greater risk of sexual violence.
Among undergraduate students, 26.4 percent of females and 6.8 percent of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation, RAINN statistics show.
“College campuses can give you a sense of security, a feeling that everyone knows each other and watches out for one another,” RAINN says. “There are perpetrators who take advantage of this feeling of safety and security to commit acts of sexual violence.”
Check out RAINN’s Staying Safe on Campus webpage for important advice that may make a world of difference in your college experience.
“As bystanders, students can learn ways of stepping in to prevent crimes like sexual assault from occurring. When it comes to personal safety, there are steps you can take as well. No tips can absolutely guarantee safety—sexual violence can happen to anyone, and it’s not the only crime that can occur on a college campus. It’s important to remember that if you are sexually assaulted on campus it is not your fault—help and support are available.”
RAINN’s college webpage includes sections on increasing on-campus safety; protecting yourself in social settings; feeling safe after an assault; and additional resources for specifically for students.
Here is contact information concerning sexual assault for students studying in Tompkins County:
Advocacy Center of Tompkins County
Local support for survivors, friends, and families of domestic violence and sexual assault
Office (607) 277-3203
Hotline (607) 277-5000
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and provides programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Hotline (800) 656-HOPE
Online (English) (en español)
Cornell University
Cornell Police (607) 255-1111
Cornell Health & CAPS (607) 255-5155
Victim Advocacy (607) 255-1212
Title IX Office (607) 255-2242
Student Conduct (607) 255-4680
Ithaca College
Campus Police (607) 274-3333
CAPS (607) 274-3136
Title IX Office (607) 274-7761
Student Conduct (607) 274-3375
Tompkins Cortland Community College
Campus Police (607) 844-6511
Counseling (607) 844-6577
Title IX Office (607) 844-4440
Student Conduct (607) 844-8222 x6591
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