With more than 50 universities throughout the country under federal investigation for the mishandling of sex crimes, including UCLA and UC Berkeley, it feels as if you can’t walk around the corner these days without encountering sexual harassment. Even at EC, we’ve recently had an incident of a man attempting to photograph a woman using the bathroom. However, the sad truth is that this isn’t a new phenomenon.

In all likelihood, it’s not that there’s been a sudden surge of sex crimes in the last few years; it’s that there’s been an increase of those reporting them. According to RAINN.org, 60 percent of sexual harassment incidents are never reported to the police. Whether for fear of judgment or misplaced self blame, victims are often afraid to come forward. These numbers are not restricted to women either; about one out of every 33 men suffer an attempted or successful sexual assault.

With so many of these crimes occurring on or near college campuses, it’s absolutely vital that schools step up efforts to put an end to these crimes. Recently, UC officials have proposed a systemwide plan of mandatory education for students and faculty, along with an increase of support services for victims of sex crimes. While some might argue that the plan is simply a response to pressure from the U.S. Department of Education, such a program is long overdue.

Everyone knows rape is wrong. No amount of “You shouldn’t rape people,” no matter how many times it is said, will convince a potential rapist not to commit such a crime. Instead, this education needs focus upon increased awareness of warning signs, not just in situations where you might be threatened, but also when others might be in danger.

In addition to this training, it should be mandatory for school faculty and officials to be trained in how to respond to reports of sexual assault. Victims of the incidents now under investigation at campuses throughout the country reported that they had been treated with rudeness and insensitivity by school officials, leaving many of them to feel that they themselves were to blame for their attacks.

There will always be crime and those willing to harm others for their own selfish desires. However, by educating ourselves and those around us to prevent and deal with sex crimes, we can make our schools safer, healthier places for all of us.