From 2013 to 2021, State College police submitted only 67 rape reports to Pennsylvania State Police. The actual number? A shocking 321. This significant difference emerged from a Spotlight PA investigation revealing that many cases were misclassified as lesser offenses. This meant fewer penalties and less urgency in handling these crimes.
In late 2022, the department admitted they had been using an outdated definition of rape despite a federal update in 2012 that many agencies implemented. Lila Slovak, director of the Women’s Law Project, emphasized that this old definition excluded many violent and abusive sexual assaults from the data.
State College, known as “Happy Valley,” plays a crucial role in crime statistics because most students live off-campus. Federal law limits crime reporting only to incidents that occur on school property, which can distort the reality of safety in the community.
Police Chief John Gardner stated that he was unaware of the outdated definition until 2022, when a supervisor updated the department’s practices. His predecessor, Tom King, who retired in 2016, discovered the issue only upon being contacted by Spotlight PA this summer.
The police department did not acknowledge this mistake publicly until it was brought to their attention. Gardner claimed the inaccurate reporting was unintentional and insisted that they are committed to transparency and public safety.
Accurate crime data is essential for effective policing and maintaining trust in the community. Criminologist Eli B. Silverman noted that when statistics lose credibility, public confidence in law enforcement diminishes, making people less likely to report crimes.
Spotlight PA’s investigation uncovered additional disturbing practices. Rape cases were often categorized as “assaults” in police records, which further complicated accurate reporting. Notably, one case involved two rape victims, but only one was recorded. Some police officials maintained that rapes are counted by incident rather than by victim, which contradicts well-established FBI guidelines.
Cassia Spohn, a criminologist, criticized this approach, fearing it gives a false sense of security to the community, possibly leading to more victimization.
The investigation revealed a troubling historical context. For over 80 years, the FBI defined rape narrowly, excluding many forms of sexual violence. Only in 2012 did they broaden the definition, aiming for more accurate crime statistics. This change was backed by police organizations and advocacy groups, who recognized the need for a more inclusive understanding of sexual violence.
John Derbas, a former FBI official, noted that by 2015, many agencies had adopted the new definition. In contrast, the State College police department’s failure to report accurately raised questions about their operations.
The department currently employs 53 officers and serves over 57,000 residents, making it vital for the safety of the community, especially given that 75% of rape victims are Penn State students. Despite the new reporting requirements, State College police reported no rapes in 2021, when there were actually at least 30.
These misclassifications lower the perceived severity of sexual crimes, and experts warned that this could negatively impact how victims are treated. Anne Ard from Centre Safe emphasized that mislabeling cases results in misunderstandings about the community’s response to sexual violence.
Reflecting on personal experiences, survivors like Lexi Tingley have expressed how deeply affected they are by law enforcement’s handling of their cases. Tingley reported her assault in 2019, but her case was not fully acknowledged, leading to a sense of betrayal and frustration.
The inaccuracies in crime reporting not only affect statistics but also impact public perception and victims’ healing processes. As experts continue to advocate for better practices, it’s clear that accurate and compassionate responses to sexual violence are essential for community safety and trust.
For further reading on this topic, you can refer to the Spotlight PA investigation.
