How should institutions classify crimes of sexual violence according to the Clery Act?

Institutions must classify crimes of sexual violence according to the definitions provided in applicable federal law. The Clery Act mandates that schools and colleges adhere to specific definitions when reporting crimes to ensure consistency and accuracy across different institutions. This means that terms like "sexual assault" and "rape" must be aligned with the federal definitions to fulfill the reporting requirements.

Using federal law as the basis for classification helps create a universally understood framework, allowing for better data comparison across institutions and enhancing transparency in campus crime reporting. It also supports the federal goal of addressing and reducing incidents of sexual violence in educational environments. Internal definitions or local law enforcement's definitions may vary widely and could lead to inconsistencies in how incidents are reported. Relying solely on self-reported incidents would also undermine the accuracy and completeness of campus crime data. Therefore, the correct approach is to use established federal definitions for accurate reporting under the Clery Act.