A University of Rhode Island Clery Report from 2024 suggests an increase in events of sexual violence, dating violence and stalking since 2022, according to Paul Ricci, deputy police chief at URI.
As reports of sexual violence, abuse and stalking climb, URI is working to better educate, prevent and support those impacted, according to Ricci.
Increases in dating and domestic violence statistics are partly due to a shift in the definitions the university uses, according to Ricci.
URI began reporting these statistics based on a federal legal definition recommended by the Clery Center, instead of the Rhode Island state definition in September 2023, Ricci said. The change affected methodology, not necessarily the actual number of cases.
“The separation caused an uptick in the number [of instances],” Ricci said.
Dating violence is defined as violence committed by someone who is or has been in a relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim, according to The Clery Act.
Federal guidelines require universities to assess the length and type of relationship, as well as how often the individuals interact, which has changed in recent years, according to Ricci.
“A lot of people nowadays are using online dating,” Ricci said. “That would lead to some increases because you don’t really know the person as well.”
Students should remain aware of their surroundings and avoid being alone at large social gatherings such as parties or tailgates, according to Ricci. This will mitigate some of the risk associated with sexual crimes.
Considering campus parties are monitored by URI police, situations off campus are most high-risk, according to Ricci.
If an incident occurs, resources and anonymous reporting are available at URI through the campus’ police department, according to Ricci.
URI focuses it’s prevention efforts by educating the campus community about sexual violence prevention, according to Keith LaBelle, deputy Title IX coordinator for outreach, education and training.
With over 20 years in the field, LaBelle said he has worked to expand education and bystander programs like I-STAND at URI.
“[Title IX coordinators] have educated over 9,500 students, staff, faculty members and members of our community about I-STAND, what we do, the resources campus offers and correcting misperceptions,” LaBelle said.
Issues of power, control and learned behaviors drive much of the abuse and violence, according to LaBelle. People learn from the relationships they’ve seen, from social media and personal life.
“While I was growing up, I was always told to be respectful to women but I always had a problem with how vague that statement was and I felt like it should actually be taught,” LaBelle said.
Education is the key to prevention and conversations about issues of sexual assault and domestic violence needs to be taught much earlier than college, according to LaBelle.
Warning signs include: jealousy of one partner becoming a scapegoat for control, isolation of a partner from friends, monitoring phones and passwords with cycles of tension, and explosion and apology, according to LaBelle.
Domestic abuse is always connected to a certain kind of toxic cycle that is known to repeat itself before the victim leaves the situation in which they’re placed in, according to LaBelle. The victims tend to leave abusive relationships between seven and 11 times before they leave for good.
URI’s approach relies on bystander intervention and peer support, according to LaBelle.
Nobody should be punished for the actions of one person and that we should all do our part to support and accuse as necessary, according to LaBelle.
Reporting remains a challenge, with survivors often fearing disbelief or retaliation, especially since most offenses involve people the victim knows, according to LaBelle.
“There is still a lot more work to do,” LaBelle said. “It’s on all of us to not just prevent sexual violence to stand up and speak up and do something better.”
