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The Montclarion
Volume XXX, Issue 6
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Thursday, October 10, 2019
Clery Report Shows Nine Rapes and Three Sexual Assaults in 2018
The 2018-2019 Montclair State University annual security report shows that nine rapes were reported for that school term.
Drew Mumich Contributing Writer
Rebecca Serviss | The Montclarion
Montclair State University released its annual crime statistics report, otherwise known as the Clery report, on Oct. 1. The most prominent part of this report is the fact that there were nine rapes, three sexual assaults, seven acts of dating violence and 15 acts of domestic violence last year on Montclair State’s campus. Out of the nine rapes reported on campus in 2018, seven of them were in residence halls. Karen Pennington, Vice Pres-
ident for Student Development and Campus Life, explained why they might happen on campus. “You have to also remember that most incidents occur on campus, and particularly in the cases that might be rape or sexual assault [they] are not strangers, they are people who [you know],” Pennington said. “It is hard for us to keep it safe when you invite a person in.” As reported by Rapes, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), 11.2% of all students experience rape or sexual assault. Kieran Barrett, captain of the
university police department explained the reports. “Each [occurrence] had a victim, and each one had a perpetrator in those cases,” Barrett said. “Whether they filed a charge is entirely separate, they have that choice.” When it comes to sexual assault, Montclair State has multiple avenues to go to in order to report an assault. The university also provides different health and counseling services for victims to turn to, such as Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). If a student brings information of an assault
to a faculty member, they are obligated to report that to the police department. Jeanette Bednar, a senior acting major, discussed where she would go if a sexual assault happened to her. “I would tell my advisor because I have a close relationship with my advisor, but also [I would] go to CAPS,” Bednar said. Hamal Strayhorn, the director for the office of Social Justice and Diversity, explained a good solution for those who do not want the police involved, but want someone to talk to.
“For those who are looking to talk with people confidentiality: the women’s center,” Strayhorn said. “Two people in my office are confidential advocates, Suzanne Pasquino and Ebony Jackson. Students can come to them as advocates of the university if they have been sexually
NEWS
FEATURE
OPINION
ENTERTAINMENT
SPORTS
p. 3 Recurring Candy Scam on Campus
p. 6 Student Side Hustles: Twisted with Talent
p. 14
EXCLUSIVE
p. 20 and 21 Creator of Netflix “You Have a Right to Original ‘Everything Report Rape” Sucks!’ Gives Exclusive Insights To The Montclarion
Clery Act continued on Page 2
Crossword puzzle & more on page 13
p. 28 Student Athlete Profile: Yael Yonah