Terry White, director of Belmont’s Office of Campus Security, addressed the issue of sexual assault.

Is sexual assault a problem on Belmont’s campus?

Belmont has a low number of problems with sexual assault, Terry White, director of the Office of Campus Security, said. “I’m very proud of our low crime rate... all the way around, especially where crimes against persons are concerned,” he said.

Do you think this is because sexual assault isn’t a problem or because it goes underreported?

“Rape is historically the most underreported crime because of the nature of it,” White said. But White doesn’t think this is the only reason Belmont’s sexual assault numbers are so low.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation recently released its 2007 campus crime report. One set of numbers showed no sexual assaults on Belmont’s campus, another set within the report showed two forcible rapes and one forcible fondling. Can you explain this discrepancy?

No on-campus sexual assaults have been reported in the last four or five years, White said.  The Nashville Metro Police Department reported the set of numbers indicating sexual assaults. What this means is that Belmont students reported that they were assaulted, but not on campus, White said.

How are Belmont’s sexual assault numbers tabulated?

The numbers are based on students reporting, White said. “That’s the only true indicator we have to go on.”

How does Belmont define the varying degrees of sexual assault?

Belmont uses the same definitions as the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation including forcible rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object and forcible fondling.

The bureau defines rape as the forcible carnal knowledge of a person. What does this mean?
Generally, the definition of rape is limited to sexual intercourse, White said. Other forms of penetration, such as digital penetration, are included in other violations like assault, forced fondling or sodomy.  But, these definitions and how they are applied by law may vary by state.

Does Belmont deal with sexual assault directly, or does the university forward the report to Metro?

It depends on what’s reported, White said. If a crime is reported, Metro gets involved.  Student affairs and counseling services usually become involved as well for the protection of the student. The victim decides if he or she wants to get Metro involved.  Any victim can use counseling services and other resources without reporting the rape as a crime.

Do you think students know how to report a sexual assault? And is this information readily available?

“It’s readily available as far as being online and in the handbook,” White said.  In the past, a student who had been sexually assaulted usually would confide in a friend who would then research who to call.

Are students ever told how to do this?

White is under the impression that the Office of Student Affairs takes care of this, he said. The Office of Campus Security is trying to create a full time position for a crime prevention officer.

Does campus security educate students on sexual assault?

“We’ve been pretty heavily involved in the orientation process,” White said.
 
He spends a lot of time talking to parents about security during the first part of the summer. 
In the past, campus security gave out pamphlets at orientation.  “We have not had as good an effort along those lines as I’d like to see.  We need more manpower.”

Does campus security offer any education centered specifically on rape?

Renee Ruthven, an officer with campus security, teaches one Rape Aggression Defense System class a month, White said.  According to the campus security Web site, class size is limited to approximately 10 students, and participants must pay a fee to cover the cost of manuals, supplies and refreshments.
 
“The best way to deal with any crime is to prevent it,” White said, “prevent it from happening in the first place.”