Miami University, like many institutions, is subject to Title IX regulations which mandate a timely response to sexual assaults and public access to reporting data through the Clery Act. This publicly available data of reported campus sexual assaults (CSA) can and should inform improvements in CSA awareness and targeted prevention programs at Miami University. However, there is a lack of detailed analysis of the CSA data reported to the university, hindering the development of targeted prevention programs.This study analyzed a comprehensive dataset of Clery reports from Miami University covering 2013-2023, focusing on temporal and spatial variables. Spatial analysis was conducted using point data in ArcGIS Pro to identify geographic clusters and temporal patterns were analyzed using the dataset in R.The analysis reveals the highest incidence of sexual assaults occurring in the fall, matching a national trend called the “Red Zone.” This “Red Zone” is a period of time when students on campus are most vulnerable to sexual assaults, typically peaking in the month of October. Additionally, freshman dorms emerged as popular locations for assaults, indicating vulnerability among new students. Recognizing the Red Zone phenomenon, the study suggests implementing prevention-through-awareness educational programs to empower students with knowledge and resources specifically in the fall semester. Recommendations include enhancing university resources for reporting, such as a dedicated website, and increasing signage in dormitories. The study also highlights a lack of detailed location reporting and overall reporting numbers, indicating a need for standardized data collection which encourages the reporting of general location. Leveraging data analysis, universities can better understand and address CSA trends. Miami University and similar institutions can use this information to develop proactive strategies for creating safer campus environments.
Author(s): Ava Kalina, Diplomacy and Global Politics and Data Science and Statistics Major
Advisor(s): Damon Scott, Department of Geography
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