Title IX Investigation Rape victims at the University of Delaware say they're not being protected by Title IX

The University of Delaware has come under fire from female students who are demanding more accountability for alleged sexual violence on campus. Several victims came forward to Action News saying they felt alone, frustrated and - in some instances - were discouraged from going to the police.

UNTITLED:

Rape victims at UDel. say they're not being protected by Title IX.

Protests erupted in the streets of Newark in mid-October after a female student was brutally attacked by her ex-boyfriend. Though the incident happened off-campus, many students were upset it took the University of Delaware several days to address the incident. As it turns out, this isn't the first complaint about the university's handling of reported violence against women. In fact, the protests came amid an investigation by the Action News Investigative team, which has spent months digging into data and speaking with young women who reported alleged sexual assaults.

Reporter: Chad Pradelli Producer: Cheryl Mettendorf Data Journalist: Maia Rosenfeld Digital Production: Bruce Alderfer

"It's just really demeaning."

Watch: Protests erupted at the University of Delaware on Oct. 13, 2021.

Several victims came forward to Action News over their dissatisfaction that the University of Delaware failed to hold their alleged assailants responsible. They describe an investigative process in which they felt alone, frustrated, and - in some instances - were discouraged from going to the police. "It felt more like I was being questioned about if I was lying, and I had some vendetta against the fraternity or guy," said a woman we are calling Jessica. "I wouldn't say they took it seriously... did not feel like they took it seriously," said another woman. "I do feel like they discouraged me from reporting it to a police department," said another woman we are calling Jenna.

"I wouldn't say they took it seriously."

The former University of Delaware students agreed to talk to Action News if we did not show their faces or use their real names. The group of women said they were sexually assaulted by fellow students. "My dress was torn," said Jessica. "It had metal clasps across the top and they were torn apart." Jessica said she was raped in 2016 while attending a University sanctioned dance with a fraternity member. She believes she was drugged and has no memory of the night after being handed a drink by her date. "I woke up. I wasn't able to stand and I had to go to the bathroom," she said. "And I felt like I was gonna throw up, and I crawled over to the bathroom. The bed had been messed up, and there were multiple condoms on the floor. I asked what happened. He said that he was sorry." She said what ensued was an investigation that she felt tried to undermine her credibility. In the end, the university's Title IX office found her attacker responsible for sexual assault.

"I asked what happened. He said that he was sorry."

The student received a deferred suspension, had to attend an alcohol class, write an essay and pay a $100 fine. Jessica appealed, but the punishment was upheld. It sent her into an emotional tailspin. "After getting that I attempted suicide," she said. "And so I was in Christiana Hospital for a while afterwards. It's just really demeaning, in a way." Title IX officers are responsible for overseeing complaints and identifying patterns of sexual discrimination and sexual assault. According to data requested by Action News, the University of Delaware received 254 sexual misconduct claims from 2017 to 2019. The Title IX office investigated just over 10% of them because, in many cases, the victims decided not to proceed. Less than half of the cases investigated resulted in a responsible finding. The most severe punishments included two expulsions, suspension and probation.

"They want to protect themselves."

Jenna said she was raped outside a fraternity party while passed out in 2016. "I came to and I was in a bush behind the house being raped, said Jenna. "And I remember one of his brothers was standing, like, near the bush keeping guard to make sure no one walked in on the situation." She said she went to the university's Title IX office a few days later. She said a counselor asked her if she'd like to file a police report but allegedly said: "Because I didn't really have any evidence, of sorts, it probably wouldn't go anywhere and it might be a hard thing to put myself through for no results," Jenna said. The Title IX office opened no investigation into her case. "I went to the office, told them my story, and they were like, 'ok... see ya.'" That's a major problem in many of these cases: alcohol. Memories are fuzzy and details are forgotten. Cases often wind up with little or no punishment. Many of the alleged victims feel guilt. This woman says she was pressured into sex with two men while drunk and high. The Title IX investigation found her alleged perpetrator not responsible. "It was more like, it's a 'he said/she said.' You couldn't prove that you said no, basically."

"They were like, 'ok... see ya.'"

The University of Delaware declined our request for an on-camera interview and said it couldn't comment on specific cases. For these women, the response seems fitting. "They will promise you that you'll be fine, and you'll be safe," said Jessica. "That is absolutely not the case. They want to protect themselves." Several of the women say during orientation, University of Delaware officials urged incoming students to report sexual assault to the Title IX office to handle. Many experts say women need to go to the police and report immediately, which often they find can be emotionally difficult.

RESOURCES: National Rape Crisis hotline: RAINN 1-800-656-HOPE Website: Rainn.org University of Delaware Sexual Offense Support 24 hour helpline for UD students and staff 302-831-1001 *Press”1” for SOS University of Delaware Police *Call 911 if the crime is in progress. *Pick up any blue light phone on campus. Locations can be found on this map. *Contact the Police Department at (302) 831-2222. *Appear personally at 413 Academy Street. *Use the LiveSafe app on your mobile device. UDel. Title IX Office Any student, faculty, or staff member with questions or concerns about the applicable University policies or who believes that he or she has been the victim of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/ domestic violence is encouraged to contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator: Danica Myers Director, Institutional Equity & Title IX Coordinator 305 Hullihen Hall Newark, DE 19716 (302) 831-8063

Links from the University of Delaware: Article: New Safety Initiatives Underway Event: Chat for Change

Several victims came forward to Action News saying they felt alone, frustrated and - in some instances - were discouraged from going to the police.

Watch Action News Investigative Reporter Chad Pradelli's full report.

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