USC Sexual Assault Victim Told By Police 'Because He Stopped, It Was Not Rape'

The University of Southern California (USC) is yet another school facing a federal investigation for not properly reporting their sexual misconduct reports, the Huffington Post reported.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) began their investigation in late June following a complaint in May. 13, and several more unnamed, USC students have come forward in saying their sexual abuse cases were not properly reported.

Charles R. Love, OCR program director, confirmed in a letter to USC student Tucker Reed that they would be investigating the alleged Title IX gender equality violations by the school.

"We look forward to working with OCR to address any concerns and review our protocols as needed," Jody Shipper, USC Title IX coordinator and executive director of the Office of Equity and Diversity, said. "[USC] remains vigilant in addressing any issues promptly and fully as they arise."

Reed, the lead complainant said USC officials told her at one point her assailant would be subject to an "educative" process instead of punishment. USC allegedly dismissed her claim despite her providing an audiotape of the perpetrator admitting to the crime.

"The problems are rampant within every department, pretty much every service on campus," Reed said. "There is an overwhelming disregard for women and students going through obvious trauma, and they traumatized them further."

Another student, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed a Department of Public Safety investigator did not consider her case a rape because her assailant did not orgasm. The investigator decided not to turn the case over to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"Because he stopped, it was not rape," she was told, according to the complaint. "Even though his penis penetrated your vagina, because he stopped, it was not a crime."

OCR is currently investigation the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of Colorado-Boulder, Occidental College and Swarthmore College for similar Title IX complaints.

Alexa Schwartz, another USC complainant, said the filing process has not been easy, but she felt it important to follow through.

"Now the ball is in USC's court," she said. "Their response will determine whether all this effort has paid off."