Starting college can either be a terrifying experience or the start of an incredible journey for someone. Those who are hesitant to start college have their own emotional reasons. This doubt can be caused by independence from a guardian's supervision, by financial expectations, or, for women at all levels, by sexual assault. Sexual assaults occur on college and university campuses across the country; However, the light on this dilemma is not brought to the public as often as it should be. Since the establishment of these schools, sexual violence has occurred, but the colleges deny the allegations they face. Sexual assault is committed for engaging in any type of sexual activity against the person's will, even if no sexual intercourse takes place. . Rape is being forced to have sex against the person's will. Sexual assault is a crime that can happen to anyone. Whoever the victim is, they should never be blamed or humiliated by others. No one wants to be raped, but victims are usually blamed for the assault. The person who is raped is not only a victim, but a survivor (Kaminker, 1998). According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 95 percent of students who are sexually assaulted remain silent; the percentage for the general public is much lower (Carter, 2014). Sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or sexual orientation. Although legal definitions vary from state to state, sexual assault is a general term for any type of sexual activity that occurs without consent. Behaviors that define sexual assault include: unwanted touching or kissing, sexual contact with someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and unable to give an informed “yes” or “no,” or rape. .. middle of paper ......ker and see to his pursuits. Her attacker was eventually arrested and sentenced to prison but, unsurprisingly, finding closure was not easy for Sebold. “In my world, I saw violence everywhere,” she later wrote. “It was neither a song, nor a dream, nor a plot.” (Sebold, 1999) Sexual assault has nothing to do with attraction, desire or passion, but with the feeling of power and control over another individual, anger and the desire to hurt others (Kaminker , 1998). The rape epidemic plaguing the nation’s universities needs to be more thoroughly examined. Colleges that deny following through on accusations should be scrutinized for their actions. Each case of sexual assault must be examined with justice, attention and respect for the victims. The levels of prosecution of the accused must be increased, until no man/woman has the right to commit the crime, but can get away with it..