MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It’s a private liberal arts college with fewer than 2,000 students, and yet figures from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation indicate it’s home to a disproportionate number of sexual assaults.
Almost one in five on-campus sexual assaults in Tennessee occurred at Rhodes College in 2015, according to the TBI.
“I’m not surprised,” said Rhodes student Lexie Perkins.
The latest assault happened April 2 when a woman said she was attacked by two acquaintances.
Two other students said they were attacked by the same man at a frat house last month.
“I just don’t know what to say at this point,” said student Athena Baker.
Rhodes College reported 21 on-campus sexual assaults last year.
By comparison, the University of Memphis — which has 10 times as many students — only reported six assaults.
There were a total of 119 on-campus sexual assaults statewide.
“Ultimately, we want to make sure that this data is as accurate as possible,” said Josh DeVine, a spokesperson for the TBI.
DeVine said the TBI audits the self-reported crime data to ensure all crimes are being categorized correctly.
Still, some students wonder if the numbers are little misleading.
“It’s not an unusual rate, and I think that largely, at other schools, people are afraid to say anything,” said Perkins.
At Rhodes, students say that fear is absent.
“I know I feel comfortable enough with the faculty and staff here that if something had happened to me, I would definitely be comfortable about reporting it,” said Sophie Costa.
Statewide, only Vanderbilt University reported more sexual assaults than Rhodes — 22 in 2015.
