Reports of sex offenses on college campuses provided to the Education Department have nearly doubled over a five-year period.
According to Fox News, Education Department officials said they believe the increase is the result of federal enforcement efforts and growing public attention to the issues of campus sexual assault.
In 2009, there were 3,357 such sex offense cases reported to the department in annual crime statistics reports, compared to 6,073 cases in 2013.
Education and law enforcement officials say sex offenses are underreported crimes, and the true number of such cases is likely much higher.
Other figures include, according to Fox News:
- The department's Office of Civil Rights reported an increase in sexual violence complaints involving colleges and universities from 9 in 2009 to 102 in 2014.
- Cases that resulted in "substantive closures" took, on average, 1,469 days or about four years for the department or resolve.
