By submitting this form, you agree to our terms & conditions. Please read full disclaimer here.
Reviews and Top-Tier Experience.
Herman Law saved my life. Plain and simple. I am forever grateful for my family at Herman Law. They brought me and my family justice and then delivered accountability to a corrupt and broken system. They uncovered the agency’s cover up and then confronted my perpetrator, holding him accountable.
I had a great experience working with Herman Law. They consistently updated me on my case and helped me get an amazing settlement. Thank you to Attorney Dan Ellis and thank you to everyone at the law firm. I truly appreciate it.
The Herman Law Firm never over promised. They kept everything in perspective. But they sure hit a grand slam for me in the end. The firm always kept in contact with me to let me know things were getting done. I was blessed with this firm. Thank you Jeff and Jason for all your empathy and professionalism. You guys really helped me to get closure in my life.
Sexual assaults happening on college campuses occur more frequently than one might think. It’s not unique to any specific college campus; sexual assaults occur on college campuses across the country. College women aged 18-24 are at a greater risk of falling victim to sexual assault on university campuses. Alcohol consumption is sometimes a contributing factor, also putting people at higher risk of campus sexual assault.
If you or a loved one experienced sexual violence on a college campus, contacting a sexual assault lawyer is imperative to learn about your legal rights.
At Herman Law, our mission is to help victims heal by giving them a voice through civil litigation. Start your path towards justice and healing with a member of our team — confidentially and with care.
According to the United States Department of Justice, sexual assault refers to non-consensual sexual acts, including those in which the victim expressly does not consent and lacks the capacity to consent. Some forms of sexual assault include rape, unwanted sexual touching, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse, sexual coercion, and forcing someone to perform sexual acts or touching without their consent.
Rape is a common form of sexual assault, but it’s not the only abuse that’s contained in the term sexual assault since the definition of rape includes sexual penetration without consent. In contrast, sexual assault also includes touching and other sexual acts.
Researchers found that reports of sexual assault indicate that one in 5 women and one in 16 men experience sexual assault when in college. Nearly two-thirds of students on campus will experience some form of sexual harassment, with less than 10% of these students reporting it to the university or an employee.
In 2019, the Association of American Universities conducted a survey on sexual assault and misconduct on college campuses. As part of the survey, 181,752 students surveyed participated from 33 different colleges and universities. Data from their responses showed that the rate of non-consensual sexual acts, either by force or an inability to consent, was 13%, with higher rates for female, transgender, genderqueer, and non-binary students.
Despite these reports and studies, an estimated 20% of female student victims report their unwanted sexual encounters to law enforcement, meaning that the 13% rate is lower than the actual number of sexual assaults occurring on college campuses.
Justice, healing, and accountability are not just words to us. They are our guiding principles.
On college campuses, a college-aged woman is twice as likely to be sexually assaulted than robbed. When looking at risk factors for sexual assault and sexual misconduct on college campuses and multiple contributing factors that put students at an elevated risk, it’s also important to understand that college-aged students are on their own for the first time and have more freedom than before. This newfound freedom that comes with adulthood might cause them to engage in previously restricted (and riskier) activities.
College life is notorious for its parties, especially when students are part of sororities or fraternities, and many students feel pressure to fit in. This need for acceptance sometimes includes engaging in sexual activities, despite feeling uncomfortable or unsafe.
Several factors increase the risk of sexual assault on college campuses, but substance abuse is most common. In a study conducted in 1998, 23% of male participants reported using alcohol or drugs to obtain sexual intercourse.
Substance abuse not only increases the risk of falling victim to sexual assault but also encourages perpetrators and can heighten the severity of the attack. According to the same study, men who reported heavy drinking had a higher likelihood to report also having committed sexual assault than men who did not engage in heavy drinking. In a study in which 74% of perpetrators were drinking before the assault, the prior substance abuse directly impacted the severity of the sexual assault.
In addition to substance abuse, other factors that put students at a greater risk for sexual assault on college campuses include:
When looking at a student’s age and year of study, 84% of women who reported being victims of some form of campus sexual assault said the incident happened within the first four semesters (two years) in college.
Although time on campus is not always indicative of a student’s age, underage women on campus are more likely to report sexual assault than those over 21. Additionally, though a campus sexual assault victim’s race and ethnicity are not subject to many studies, Native American women reported the highest number of sexual assaults, with white women having higher rates than African American, Hispanic, and Asian women. Concerning residential status, students who live in on-campus or sorority housing (also considering sorority membership as a risk factor) were more likely to report a sexual assault incident than students who lived in off-campus housing.
Another factor that significantly elevates a student’s risk for sexual assault is prior victimization. In one study, 10% of women reported they were survivors of rape before the start of the academic year when the researchers conducted the study, and 11% reported a prior attempted rape.
A 1995 study reported that women who experienced prior victimization by a romantic partner before college were much more likely to experience sexual assault during college. Childhood sexual violence, though, did not show any indication of increasing the student’s risk for sexual assault. The connection between prior victimization and the student’s increased risk lies in the student’s behaviors and responses, including:
All of these factors individually and together increase a college student’s vulnerability. Higher education institutions and the Department of Education must implement changes within college campuses to eliminate rape culture and existing risks.
Perpetrators of sexual violence typically know their victims. Eight out of ten rapes in general (not just campus rapes) happen by a perpetrator known by the survivor, either as an acquaintance, current or former romantic partner, or a relative.
Based on reports from college-aged students, approximately 31% of perpetrators were recognizable by the victim, 25% were friends of the victim, and almost 33% were previous romantic partners. About 35% of victims also identified perpetrators as classmates. Nearly 5% of undergraduate students identified their perpetrator as a teacher, compared to 16.5% of graduate or professional students.
Sexual assault is not always what we see in movies, where the perpetrator is some random person hiding in dark corners or lurking in a secluded parking lot. You should always be on guard, but not just with strangers. You must know the warning signs and how to protect yourself, even when you’re with people familiar to you.
Anyone can be the victim of campus sexual assault, regardless of race, gender, or other demographic factors. Among undergraduate college students, 26.4% of women and 6.8% of men reported sexual assault through physical force or inability to consent. Female college students are three times more likely to be victims of sexual assault, while college-aged male students are 78% more likely to be victims of sexual assault than non-students of the same age.
Sexual assaults happen on college campuses due to the nature of the environment itself, putting college students in general at high risk. Factors contributing to campus sexual assaults include:
Only 20% of female college victims of campus sexual assault report the incident to law enforcement. Many victims of college sexual assault decide not to report the assault for reasons including:
Among these reasons, there might also be a close relationship between the victim and perpetrator, meaning they might share mutual friends, putting pressure on the victim to let it go to avoid losing friendships and keeping the friend group’s status quo.
The victim might also make an effort to report the sexual assault only to find out that the school procedures necessary for filing a formal report are too complex or strenuous for the victim to comply with them.
In many situations, it’s not just one reason that a campus sexual assault survivor decides not to report their assault or rape. Instead, it’s often a combination of several different reasons.
To prevent sexual assaults on campus, colleges and universities need to ensure that the policies and procedures currently available to students are proper and easily understood. If supportive policies and procedures are not now in place, the school must take reasonable steps to implement standards and reporting practices that are helpful and efficient, including:
Various departments of the college or university need to get involved and become aware of the policies and procedures necessary for students to report the sexual assault and related to the subsequent investigation. Campus administration, counseling services, and campus or local law enforcement should all work together to ensure student safety before, during, and after a sexual assault. Each department, individually and together, plays a vital role in addressing and responding to college sexual assault and providing support for the victim.
As a parent, the most crucial thing to do for your child after a sexual assault is to let them know they have your full support and that you’re there for them however they need it. In addition to providing support to your child, it’s beneficial for parents to educate themselves on the reporting and judicial processes. Parents should consult with a law firm that has extensive experience with sexual assault lawsuits. A campus sexual assault attorney can help ensure your child receives the justice they deserve.
Colleges and universities may potentially be liable for campus sexual assault under federal law. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 “prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.” Under this federal law, discrimination based on sex can include sexual harassment or violence.
Under Title IX, when addressing sexual harassment and violence, a school must respond promptly and effectively to all sexual assault reports. If the school knows or should have known about sexual violence happening on campus, the school must take immediate action to eliminate that violence, prevent future sexual assaults, and address its effects.
Another federal law addressing sexual violence at colleges and universities is the Clery Act, which requires these institutions to disclose crime statistics and security policies. Additionally, legislators signed into law the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act to require all institutions of higher learning to educate students, faculty, and staff on the prevention of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking.
In addition to federal laws, many states are also taking specific legal actions to address campus sexual assault. For example, New York’s Campus Accountability and Safety Act, passed in 2015, provides strong protection for both the victim and the accused and adopts a sexual standard of “yes means yes.” New York state legislators passed this bill with the intention of its eventual implementation in every college campus across the nation.
If you or someone you know was the victim of sexual assault on campus, the most vital thing you can do is find a safe space where you feel comfortable to discuss your experience. It’s equally important not to blame yourself or think about all the things you could have done differently.
Talk with someone about your experience and seek help, whether via counseling, legal help, medical help, or a friend’s help with reporting the assault. If you choose to do so, calling the police to create a report and having a rape kit done (if you report soon after the incident) to aid in your allegations can ensure that the perpetrator is held responsible for the harm they willingly inflicted on you.
After experiencing a sexual assault, all you can do is heal and seek help when needed to recover from the incident at your own pace. There are multiple things that a campus sexual assault survivor can do to move forward from the experience, including:
Contacting a sexual assault attorney is a step in the right direction for survivors. The attorneys at Herman Law can help survivors seek civil justice and navigate the obstacles they might encounter when overcoming campus sexual assault culture.
Contacting a sexual assault attorney ensures you have someone to help you pursue justice, oversee the investigation procedures, and tackle victim-blaming head-on. We also want to help get you the resources you need to aid in your healing and ongoing recovery. Do not suffer alone. Call us today for a free consultation.
Jeff Herman is a nationally recognized attorney and founder of Herman Law, known for his dedication to helping survivors of sexual abuse. With over 35 years of experience, Jeff has represented thousands of clients across the U.S. and secured landmark victories, including a $100 million verdict. He is trained in trauma-informed advocacy and works closely with survivors to guide them through the legal process with care and determination. Jeff is admitted to practice in Florida and New York and leads a team committed to justice and healing.
If you or your child were a victim of child sexual abuse, you likely have many questions about how a child sexual abuse lawyer or lawsuit can help you. We hope to provide answers to your questions and help you continue your healing and journey to recovery.
Some states have laws holding caretakers liable for child sexual abuse if they were aware of the abuse and failed to stop it. Courts commonly refer to this type of liability as an act of omission.
A child can sue via a parent or guardian for damages, including psychological harm and physical injury, caused by sexual abuse. Psychological damages can include emotional distress, lost wages, and mental health therapy. Physical damages typically include medical bills, surgeries, or rehabilitation stemming from treatment for physical harm done to the victim. A victim’s parent or caregiver can also recover damages for their emotional distress related to their child’s sexual abuse.
Clients can remain confidential, which is an important option for many individuals. If you want to come forward but don’t want your name publicly out there, we will use a pseudonym such as Jane Doe or John Doe to protect your identity.
Speaking up is never easy—but you’re not alone. If you’re ready to explore your legal options, our compassionate team at Herman Law is here to listen, support, and guide you forward. Reach out today in complete confidence.
Call Us: 1 800 686 9921 
Message Us 
Call Us