The University of Oregon has a slightly higher rate of sexual assault than average, according to a survey conducted by the Association of American Universities.
The survey, conducted in the spring of 2015 , found that 24.2 percent of undergraduate women at UO had experienced sexual assault since enrolling at the university. The average across the 27 universities surveyed was only slightly lower at 23 percent. The rate for undergraduate men was 6 percent.
“The fact that the incidence of sexual violence at the University of Oregon is for most groups roughly comparable to other AAU universities makes the news from this survey no more acceptable,” Robin Holmes, UO vice president for student life told Around the O. “The data we’ve collected in both of the campus climate surveys will continue to inform our prevention and response efforts. This national data is also especially helpful because it allows us to see how we compare to other universities.”
The survey was one of two sexual assault surveys the university participated in last year. The other was directed by UO Professor Jennifer Freyd. Freyd’s survey found almost identical results, with 24.2 percent of female undergraduate students had experienced unwanted sexual contact since enrolling at the university. Freyd also conducted a follow up survey later in the year.