COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WUSA9) -- In the first year after creating an Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct, the University of Maryland has expelled more students for sexual assault than ever before, University President Wallace Loh told student journalists at the Diamondback.
Three Students were expelled and a dozen more cases resulted in sanctions ranging from reflecting on conduct in writing to serving suspensions to being removed from university housing.
Offenses included rape, harassment, stalking, sexual intimidation and retaliation.
UMD created the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct in 2014.
From July 2014 to June of 2015, 112 complaints were made. Forty-eight resulted in investigations, some of which are still ongoing.
Student McLaine Rich filed a complaint in March 2015 alleging she was raped in October of 2014. Her alleged attacker was expelled after he was found "responsible" for a second alleged attack on another student.
Rich called the process "intimidating" but said the reporting and investigation system is a major step forward for the university. She and a group of supporters have founded a group to encourage other students to report sexual misconduct and assist in the process.
"If I hadn't done anything this would still be going on," Rich said.
Rich believes the reporting system is only scratching the surface of the sexual misconduct problem in college. A 2015 Brown University study found 18% of freshman women at one college reported sexual assault or attempted sexual assault.
The University of Maryland now requires students to take an on-line course on sexual behavior. So far 86% of students have completed the program.
Meanwhile, a number of star basketball players have helped make a video to raise awareness.
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