OPINION: Sexual misconduct on college campuses is a systemic issue

OPINION: Sexual misconduct on college campuses is a systemic issue Categories: campus safety Diversity/Identity Featured News Sexual Assault OPINION: Sexual misconduct on college campuses is a systemic issue Institutional responses shape perceptions of reporting effectiveness and campus safety. Alayna Fitch, News Staffer • October 13, 2026 One in five undergraduate women experience sexual violence. Sexual misconduct is a systemic problem that demands accountability and meaningful prevention measures. (Graphic created in Canva by Alayna Fitch) Fraternity culture has been intertwined in college life for decades. Since 2000, approximately five hazing related deaths have occurred annually, 10 deaths being the highest number recorded in one year. In 2021, a study by the Journal of Interpersonal Violence reported, 27.5% of fraternity men experience sexual victimization in college.  Dangerous practices in these organizations still remain prevalent, behind a layer of toxic allegiance, lies and bystanders tied together in the name of brotherhood. Research by Project FAN on bystander intervention shows the bystander effect can reinforce a culture of silence within fraternities. This suggests the possibility that other chapter members will remain silent, could discourage individuals from intervening themselves A 20-year-old undergraduate sorority sister attending Cornell University, who remains a Jane Doe, arrived alone at the Chi Phi fraternity house to visit a friend. According to the lawsuit filed on Sept. 16, 2026, the victim recounted being drugged and enduring seven hours of perpetual gang-rape, committed by seven memebers of Chi Phi fraternity in 2024.  The lawsuit named Matthew Ingalls, Jonathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris and Scott Kretzschmer as defendants in the case.  Fifty-one Chi Phi members total received the Snapchat message, a free for all invitation to assault Jane Doe. (Photo courtesy of the New York Post) Sexual misconduct on college campuses aren’t confined to high profile cases. These issues exist at Sacramento State as well. The National Center for Education Statistics data found that forced sexual offenses made up 44% of on-campus criminal incidents reported in 2021. More data reported by Worldmetrics reveals one in five undergraduate women, and one in 16 undergraduate men, experience sexual violence during their college careers.  Sacramento State Assistant Professor Dr. Alexa Sardina, specializes in sex crime education. She emphasizes that individualizing these occurrences can send the wrong message to college communities.  “I don’t think individual acts of violence can be separated from the institutional or social structures we exist in,” Sardina said. “When you have this culture of minimizing or silencing survivors that communicates to people in that system that this act isn’t that harmful.” Current rates of sexual misconduct create a common experience among college students that shouldn’t be blanketed. It’s on the academic institutions to stop treating these situations as isolated incidents, and more like systemic issues that need to be handled with urgency.  Following an investigation into a sexual battery incident reported on Sacramento State’s campus on Aug. 26 where the victim reported a male grabbing them from behind while riding an e-bike, questions surrounding consequences of those accused of sexual misconduct arise. What does accountability on college campuses actually look like? In a parking lot North of Sierra Hall the victim reported a male riding an e-bike, resembling a motorcycle, came up beside them and grabbed the victim inappropriately from behind. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The State Hornet (@statehornet) “The Sacramento State Police Department continues to investigate the sexual battery reported on Aug. 26, the investigation remains ongoing, we are limited in the information we can release publicly at this time,” said Christina Lofthouse, Deputy Chief of Police.  The California State Auditor released a report on June 30, 2026, examining how University of California and California State University campuses address sexual harassment complaints.  Sac State was one of the four campuses reviewed. Between Aug. 2022 and July 2025, 221 incidents involving students, and 53 involving faculty were reported closed without formal action. Closure does not establish institutional mishandling, but the figures highlight why transparency about how cases are evaluated by institutions matter.  While the reasoning behind case closures aren’t apparent, an institution’s commitment to student safety cannot be measured solely by maintaining reports of cases, but by students having confidence that complaints will receive meaningful consideration. Beyond individual cases, these procedures reveal Sac State’s institutional practices can shape trust students have with the reporting process.   Academic institutions have a duty to ensure the safety of students from sexual harm on school grounds. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational institutions receiving federal funds. At Sac State, officials make it clear that reports of sexual assault under Title IX are handled as individual cases, catering to the specific needs of the incident at hand. Treating these cases at Sac State as isolated incidents risks the systemic nature of the issue going unrecognized. In turn, this could leave students unsure if reporting abuse will lead to purposeful action.   “There is no universal response to a report of sexual assault or another matter within the scope of the Nondiscrimination Policy,” said Wendy Aguilar, director of media and public relations. “The University’s response depends on the circumstances of the complainant’s wishes and needs. Campus safety considerations, the identities and relationship of the parties, the available information and the University’s legal and policy obligations Sac State encourages students to report incidents of sexual exploitation, misconduct, domestic violence and stalking to the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) via online complaint form.  “One of the purposes of the program is to educate the campus community on the importance of reporting, especially mandatory reporters, and prohibition on retaliation,” Aguilar said. ”OEO also provides trauma informed resources on how to respond to a Title IX disclosure.”  For advocacy support, WEAVE Confidential Campus Advocates at Sacramento State serve as a free and fully confidential support service for students and faculty affected by sexual assault.  For immediate safety concerns or non emergencies call the Sacramento State Police Department (916) 278-6000. In case of an emergency call 911.  View Story Comments Print this Story Leave a Comment Donate to The State Hornet $890 $2,500 Contributed Our Goal Your donation will support the student journalists of Sacramento State University. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs. We recently reset our donation goal, find out more here: https://statehornet.com/2025/12/resetting-donation-counter/ Donate More to Discover More in campus safety Sac State Says: Electric scooters may be a hazard on campus Cornell allegations put Greek life accountability in focus at Sac State Sac State ceramics department holds silent protest Motor vehicle theft drives increase in Sac State’s latest annual crime report Sac State MSA members report hate incident during first day tabling UPDATE: No confirmed correlation between shooting on campus and four wounded by gunshots More in Diversity/Identity Tropeycalia Club performs ‘Cannibalism’ through satire and humor ‘Defiant and Divine’ PRIDE Center celebrates 20 years Student vendors celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through Pop-up Shop 20th and K streets welcome the 38th annual Rainbow Festival Black Excellence Block Party sets off semester by cultivating community Celebrating stories and discussing issues beyond AAPI Heritage Month More in Featured The Esak’timá Center recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Sac State Wolverines pounce late and claw past the Hornets Voces de Sacramento celebra la escritura creativa y los testimonios en español Siete artistas, siete sonidos: el corazón de la música latina Plays of the Week: explosive plays, goals and even more goals Roadrunners hit a wall: Hornets contain Roadrunners to secure program’s first Big West win About the Contributor Alayna Fitch, News Staffer (she/her) Alayna Fitch is a fourth-year Political Science and Journalism major at Sacramento State. She also holds an associate degree in Political Science. She has a passion for storytelling and connecting with the community through journalism. Outside of school, she serves as the Student Representative for the National Association of Black Journalists Sacramento Chapter. When she’s not reporting or studying, she’s baking.