Experts have noted that an increase in reported sexual assaults could mean more sexual violence, though it also could mean that more assaults are being reported to law enforcement. Sexual assaults generally are under-reported, advocates say, so an increase in reporting could mean more victims are comfortable coming forward.
An investigation by this newspaper earlier this year found most sexual assaults at Ohio colleges are not reported to police. Of those that are, few lead to criminal investigations and almost none lead to charges being filed.
RELATED: 79 cases, 5 arrests, 0 rape convictions
The report released this month is required under the federal Clery Act. Issues with inconsistent reporting at campuses have created problems with using the numbers to compare the safety of one campus to another. And the numbers reflect only crimes reported on campus.
The new report follows a summer of heightened discussion of campus sexual assault nationally spurred by cases such as the one involving Brock Turner of Bellbrook.
INVESTIGATION: Campus sex assaults: Many incidents reported, no prison time
The report also lists drug and alcohol arrests and disciplinary action.
There were 26 arrests on campus and 528 disciplinary referrals for violations of liquor laws, a notable increase from 12 arrests and 194 referrals in 2014. Drug arrests were down to 33 last year from 57 the year before, and drug-related disciplinary referrals dropped from 63 to one.
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