Two more sexual assaults were reported to the Athens Police Department since last week, making it more than a dozen sexual assaults reported on and off-campus since Ohio University's fall semester began, according to the Athens News.
Since the start of the semester on Aug. 27, campus police have received reports of four sexual assaults. Combined with reports to Athens police, the total number is 16. Some of those reports allegedly happened months and even years prior to the start of the semester, the article states.
APD collected a sexual assault evidence collection kit from OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital on Sept 28. The female victim did not wish to speak with officers at the time.
Out of the 12 sexual assault cases reported in September, six of them have been reported as rape.
The assaults happened both on and off campus, and not all victims have chosen to file complaints, according to Keller J. Blackburn, prosecuting attorney for Athens County.
Blackburn says these numbers do not necessarily mean that there is an increase in sexual assaults, but rather an increase in people reporting them.
