One in five young women are sexually assaulted between freshman and senior year of college.

Vice president Joe Biden mentioned this appalling statistic when announcing the report findings from the Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault.

Obama started the task force in January, and the surveying initiative released its findings on April 29.

The survey  taken by the task force found that 11.5 percent of women had been victims of rape – including incapacitated rape, drug-facilitated rape, and forcible rape. 

It is completely ridiculous that three of the most prestigious universities in the country – Harvard, Princeton, and Dartmouth are under investigation for possible negligent handling of sex violent claims. 

Personally, the amount of sexual assault that occurs at a school will definitely be a negative factor in where I apply to college and where I decide to attend. I’ve already had to reimagine what my life would be like at a school I looked forward to applying to, Emory, because they’ve been accused of neglecting sexual assault accusations on their campus.

Sexual assault is defined as any unwanted visual, verbal, or physical sexual contact or attention. It includes anything from whistling from a rude stranger, to date rape that is so common amidst college students. 

Catcalling and rude comments are also included in the category of sexual assault. These are most common forms, and are often executed when walking down the street – often witnessed by passing bystanders. All types of sexual assault are included in the surveys issued by the task force.

The relatively recent national concern about the issue of sexual assault on college campuses has beginnings traced back to a 19-page letter from the Obama administration three years ago.

Despite the fact that sexual assault has existed on college campuses for decades, President Obama’s bold move marked the first time any presidential administration dealt with the problem as the civil rights issue that it is. 

In the past, sexual assault was dealt with in private between the parties involved and the school administrators. Obama’s rape-prevention campaign has made the issue more public, bringing it to the forefront of everyday discussions.  

It is imperative that the Obama administration improves the assault situation on college campuses so that it is one less issue for college students to worry about.