Stories / Student Safety
Not one ASU police rape case prosecuted in three years
A State Press investigation found ASU recorded 68 rapes from 2017 to 2019. Of the 11 cases ASU Police referred to the county attorney, all 11 were refused. Since 2014, 277 sexual assaults were reported to the university, 147 were investigated, and fewer than half of the 101 formal cases could have ended in punishment.
Survivors described repeated police interviews and cases closed when they declined phone searches. One said her assailant stayed in her classes after charges were dropped. Advocates note ASU has no on-campus rape crisis center or forensic exams.
ASU's side / contextASU Police said these cases are complex and officers are trained in trauma-informed communication. ASU said it offers crisis services through existing offices, and a vice president acknowledged the investigation process draws the most complaints.
