USC Sexual Battery Case Is Clery Violation
Video by Kimberly Leoffler
USC's Department of Public Safety sent out an email late Monday night condeming sexual assault. The email follows a series of claims of someone striking women on their rear ends, a form of sexual battery.
DPS says there have been five sexual battery claims in the past three weeks. While slapping a women's behind may not seem like sexual assault, it is considered a form of fondling under the federal Clery Act.
Students say they are appalled that someone is committing these crimes on campus but are not sure of a tangible solution. Sexual assault expert Melora Sundt says that peer groups have a big influence on perpetrator's decisions to commit sexual assault. She added that if people show no tolerance for sexual assault, it may cause perperatrators to be less motivated to commit the crime.
However, DPS encourages students to file a report if they have been victims of sexual assault. Deputy Chief David Carlisle says that the more information DPS receives, the quicker they are able to catch the people responsible.
