Walking across the Oval at night feels different than it does during a crisp October afternoon. For most of the nearly 60,000 students at the Columbus campus, Ohio State is a second home. But when you start looking at the Clery Act reports and the federal investigations that have rocked the institution over the last decade, that sense of security gets complicated. Honestly, it’s a lot to process. We aren't just talking about statistics or "compliance." We’re talking about real people, a massive bureaucracy, and a history of systemic failures that the university is still trying to outrun.
Sexual assault at Ohio State University isn't a single story. It's a patchwork of Title IX battles, high-profile scandals, and the quiet, daily work of student advocates trying to make the campus safer.
The Shadow of the Strauss Investigation
You can't talk about safety at OSU without talking about Richard Strauss. It’s impossible. For twenty years, between 1978 and 1998, this team doctor abused hundreds of student-athletes across 16 different sports. The scale is staggering. Think about that for a second. Two decades of red flags that were ignored by coaches and administrators.
The 2019 independent investigation by Perkins Coie was a massive wake-up call for the Buckeye community. It detailed how the university failed to act despite students repeatedly reporting Strauss's behavior. To date, Ohio State has reached settlement agreements totaling over $60 million with more than 280 survivors. But for many, the money is a secondary detail. The real issue was the institutional silence. It’s a textbook example of how "campus culture" can sometimes be a code word for "protecting the brand." This isn't just old history, either; it sets the stage for how the university handles modern Title IX reports. Survivors today are looking at that history and asking, "Has anything actually changed?"
Cracking the Code of the Annual Security Report
Every year, the university releases its Annual Security Report (ASR). Most students ignore it. It’s a dense PDF that usually drops in late September. But if you actually dig into the numbers, you see a trend that’s both terrifying and somewhat hopeful.
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In recent years, reported cases of rape and fondling have fluctuated, but they remain high enough to cause concern. For example, the 2023 report showed dozens of reported rapes on campus property. Now, here’s the tricky part: an increase in numbers doesn't always mean the campus is getting more dangerous. Sometimes, it means people finally feel safe enough to come forward. It’s a paradox. If a university reports zero assaults, they aren't "safe"—they're likely hiding something or have a reporting system so broken that nobody uses it.
The Clery Act requires these disclosures, but it has limits. It only counts crimes that happen within a specific "Clery geography"—on-campus buildings, public property immediately adjacent to campus, and certain non-campus buildings. If an assault happens three blocks into a residential neighborhood off-campus, it might not show up in the university’s primary stats, even if the victim and the perpetrator are both Buckeyes. This "geography gap" is where a lot of student anxiety lives.
Title IX: The Bureaucratic Maze
Ohio State’s Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) is the nerve center for these cases. Since the 2020 changes to federal Title IX regulations under the previous administration, the process has become more legalistic. It's basically a mini-courtroom now. There are live hearings and cross-examinations.
For a survivor, this can be incredibly intimidating. The university provides "Supportive Measures"—things like changing dorm assignments or adjusting class schedules—even if a formal complaint isn't filed. This is a crucial distinction. You don't have to go through a full-blown investigation just to get a "no-contact" order or a safe place to sleep. But many students don't realize that. They think it's all or nothing. It isn't.
The Off-Campus Reality and "Chittfest"
Columbus is a big city. The "University District" isn't a bubble. A huge chunk of the sexual assault incidents involving Ohio State students actually happen off-campus, in the aging houses on 13th, 14th, and 15th Avenues. This is where the jurisdiction gets murky.
The Columbus Division of Police (CPD) takes the lead here, but the university’s "Buckeye Alert" system tries to keep people informed. We’ve seen a push for more permanent lighting and cameras in these areas, but lights don't stop a known acquaintance from overstepping boundaries in a basement during a party. Most sexual assaults aren't committed by a "stranger in the bushes." They are committed by someone the victim knows—a classmate, a date, a "friend of a friend."
Culture, Greek Life, and the Student Response
Student organizations like SRA (Survivors Responding with Action) and It’s On Us OSU have been loud. They have to be. They’ve pushed for more comprehensive "active bystander" training. It’s not just about telling people "don't assault." It's about teaching a 19-year-old how to intervene when they see someone who is too intoxicated being led toward a bedroom.
Greek life often gets singled out in these discussions. It's a fair point of scrutiny. National studies consistently show higher risks of sexual violence in environments where there is high alcohol consumption and a lack of oversight. Ohio State has suspended several fraternities over the years for various conduct violations, but the underlying culture of "work hard, play hard" creates a high-risk environment that the university struggles to police without looking like it’s overreaching.
What to Do If It Happens to You (or a Friend)
If you are a student and you’ve experienced sexual violence, the immediate aftermath is a blur. You’re in shock. Your brain is trying to protect you. Honestly, the last thing you want to do is navigate a 50-page university policy.
SARNCO (Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio) is usually the best first call. They aren't the university. They are advocates. They provide hospital escorts for forensic exams (rape kits) at places like OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital.
Here is a rough breakdown of the paths available:
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- Confidential Support: Talking to a counselor at CCS (Counseling and Consultation Service) or a chaplain. These people cannot report the incident to the police or the university without your permission.
- Medical Care: Getting a forensic exam. You don't have to decide to press charges right away to get the exam done.
- Formal Reporting: Filing a report with OIE. This starts the "official" process.
- The Police: If you want to pursue criminal charges, that goes through CPD or OSU Police, depending on where it happened.
Actionable Steps for a Safer Campus
We have to stop treating sexual assault as an "unavoidable" part of the college experience. It’s not. There are concrete things that actually move the needle.
Download the Rave Guardian App. It’s the official safety app for OSU. It has a "Safety Timer" feature that acts like a virtual escort. If you don't deactivate it when you get to your destination, it notifies your chosen "guardians." It’s a small thing, but it’s practical.
Know the "Mandatory Reporter" Rule. Almost every employee at Ohio State—from your TA to your favorite professor—is a "Mandatory Reporter." If you tell them about an assault, they are legally required to report it to the Title IX office. If you want to talk to someone who won't report it, you have to seek out specific "Confidential Resources" like the university's advocates or mental health professionals.
Engage with the "Buckeye ACT" Program. The university’s prevention program focuses on Acknowledge, Confirm, and Take Action. It sounds corporate, but the core message is about bystander intervention. If you see something that feels "off" at a bar on High Street, it probably is.
Advocate for Transparency. The university’s Board of Trustees meets regularly. Student government (USG) has a seat at the table. Pressure from the student body is the only reason the Strauss investigation happened in the first place. Keep asking for the numbers. Keep asking where the Title IX funding is going.
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The reality of sexual assault at Ohio State University is that the institution is a reflection of the people within it. It’s a massive, complicated, and sometimes flawed system. While the university has made massive strides in victim advocacy since the dark days of the late 90s, the "culture of care" they talk about in brochures is only as strong as the accountability the community demands.
Stay informed. Look out for each other. Don’t let the statistics become just another PDF that nobody reads.
Resources for Immediate Help:
- Ohio State Sexual Advocacy Services: 614-292-1111
- SARNCO 24-Hour Helpline: 614-267-7020
- RAINN National Hotline: 800-656-HOPE