Students say campus sexual assaults are on the rise

Acting president, though, says only a few reports received

SANTA CLARA >> Santa Clara University students say there have been 30 sexual assaults or crimes involving a date rape drug since the school year resumed last month. Hundreds turned out for a rally on Oct. 1, holding signs that read “Support survivors” and “Stop protecting rapists” to demand action from the university.

Student body president Abigail Alvarez sent an email to the Santa Clara University community on Sept. 24, saying that Greek life leaders held a meeting the previous day and estimated that at least 30 cases of drugging or sexual assault were brought up to them in the past week. Alvarez said date rape drugs and roofies were also used “at a higher rate” that week “than ever before.”

But Lisa Kloppenberg, acting president of Santa Clara University, said in an emailed statement on Sept. 29 that the school has received two third-party allegations of drugging since Sept. 19 and one allegation of sexual assault and drugging, in which the person decided not to formally report.

“Unfortunately, lacking sufficient information, these reports have not led to actionable cases,” Kloppenberg said.

The Santa Clara Police Department said in a statement that it received a referral from Santa Clara University staff about a sexual assault allegation and police “reached out to that involved party, and they did not want to pursue or participate in an investigation.”

Students insist there are many more cases than have been reported to authorities.

“I know of four people who were roofied and I had a different person say they could name 13 people,” Alvarez said, adding that the 30 incidents also included allegations of other types of sexual harassment, including groping and unwelcome advances. “This is my last year here but I’ve never heard of it widespread like this.”

Clare Macmillin, 20, a junior at the university, helped organize the demonstration and said several hundred people showed up at the rally. Macmillin cited the school’s investigation process as a possible deterrent to survivors formally coming forward.

“I think the big reason for this is oftentimes people don’t feel comfortable coming forward to a school because that can create a much more bureaucratic process,” she said. “In some instances they may be forced to give up or forfeit their anonymity, which can make people feel uncomfortable.”