According to the Boston Globe, federal statistics show that the number of sexual assault reports involving Boston-area college campuses is going up-with “forcible sex offense” reports increasing by close to 40% between 2008 and 2012 across 22 campuses. There were 113 Boston sexual assaults in 2012-the highest annual figure in 10 years.
Some are saying that the higher figures could be attributed to more people reporting sexual assault incidents rather than the number of actual incidents going up. However, the study shows that about 88% of victims still choose to not formally report sex crimes.
If you or someone you love was the victim of sexual assault at a college campus, including in a dorm, sorority or fraternity, other school housing, or at a college sponsored-event, you could have grounds for a Boston injury lawsuit. At Altman & Altman LLP, we represent victims throughout Massachusetts that wish to pursue damages against their assailant, the school, and others that could/should have prevented the incident from happening.
Among recent college sex allegations occurring in this state are those involving three members of men’s hockey team at Fitchburg State University. The students are accused of sexually assaulting a woman and they have been barred from campus at least until the police investigation is concluded. The alleged sex assault is said to have occurred off-campus.
Obviously college sex assaults are not unique to Massachusetts. This week, the University of Connecticut filed court papers denying some of the key allegations in a gender discrimination lawsuit accusing the college of ignoring the claims of five women who reported that they had been sexually assaulted. The plaintiffs say their allegations were improperly handled and not taken seriously. One of the plaintiffs, Kylie Angell, contends that the school discouraged her from reporting the rape. Another plaintiff, former UConn ice hockey player ilvana Moccia, was allegedly kicked off the team by her coach because the rape had rendered her not “stable enough” to play.
Sex assault reports rise at Boston-area campuses, Boston.com, February 3, 2014
UConn Denies Women’s Charges In Federal Sex Assault Lawsuit, The Courant, February 3, 2014
Investigated In Sex Assault, CBS Local, February 6, 2014
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Massachusetts Car Crash Involving Mattress Leaves Woman Dead, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, January 31, 2013
Please contact our Massachusetts sexual assault victim lawyers today.