New report shows increase in reports of sexual assault on UI campus in 2023

According to the University of Iowa’s 2024 Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy, Crime Statistics and Fire Safety Annual reportIn 2023, reports of rape on campus more than doubled compared to the previous year, but remained lower than the numbers reported in 2021.

Reports of petting reached an all-time high in 2023 compared to the previous two years.

However, the report notes that 43 of the 96 sexual assaults – cases of rape and fondling combined – were allegedly committed by a single person over several years but were not reported until 2023.

“If you take that out of the rape numbers, it actually looks like it’s a decrease from last year,” said Mark Bullock, associate vice president for campus safety. “This is certainly a positive direction. But we also know that sexual misconduct is largely underestimated.”

The annual report categorizes data by the date a report was received, rather than the time the incident occurred, and is published in accordance with the Clery acta federal law that requires institutions to report campus crime data, provide support to victims and establish security procedures.

Although he did not verify the person’s identity, Bullock confirmed that the suspect linked to nearly half of reported sexual assaults in 2023 is a former UI Health System employee.

James Burkhalter, a former UI social worker, is currently facing nine charges of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist, a Class D felony, for incidents between 2019 and 2022.

According to a settlement Through an agreement with the Iowa Board of Social Work, Burkhalter was first reported in 2021 for having an inappropriate relationship with a client outside of the therapy he provided. At that time, Burkhalter was ordered to cease further contact with the client, but it was discovered that he sent sexual text messages to the same client in April 2022.

KCRG reported that Burkhalter was dismissed from his position in May 2022. In the settlement, Burkhalter’s license as a social worker was suspended indefinitely.

According to court records, Burkhalter was arrested on July 27, 2023 in connection with the sexual assault allegation.

Because the case is ongoing, campus security declined to provide further details and did not confirm that Burkhalter is the suspect in question.

The report also found an increase in stalking reports, from 87 in 2021, 97 in 2022 and 106 in 2023.

Hayley Bruce, chief of staff of Campus Safety and public information officer, said this increase is due in part to the crime of “sextortion,” which will be reclassified as a stalking offense in 2023.

The FBI defined “Sextortion” is a crime in which a perpetrator forces a victim to create and send sexually explicit content and then threatens to publish the compromising material unless the victim creates and sends additional explicit content.

“We have worked closely with the Office of Civil Rights Compliance to develop additional educational materials on this type of crime to ensure students are careful and mindful of the information they share with others,” Bruce said.

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Compared to Iowa State University’s 2023 Clery reportSignificantly more sexual assaults have been reported at the University of Iowa, with Iowa State recording 11 cases of rape and fondling in 2023, compared to 96 cases at the UI.

Iowa State also reported fewer aggravated assaults, with just three cases in 2023 compared to the UI’s 29.

Bullock said this is largely due to the UI’s extensive network of hospitals and clinics, while Iowa State University does not have an affiliated hospital system.

Bullock also pointed out that in addition to the large proportion of reports of rape and fondling involving a single UIHC employee, many cases of serious assault also occur at UI hospitals and clinics.

A total of 29 aggravated assaults were reported on the UI campus in 2023, up from 39 in 2022 and 34 in 2021.

“We attribute this to the good partnership we have with the health service and the ability to have our own unit of health care police officers,” Bullock said. “We hope this downward trend continues.”

Although reports of aggravated assault decreased in 2023, motor vehicle thefts increased from 13 incidents in 2021 to 15 in 2022 and 22 in 2023. Bullock said this increase is consistent with the nationwide trend that certain brands and Models are targeted.

A class action lawsuit for 2023 suit pointed out a TikTok trend that exposed a vulnerability in certain Hyundai and Kia [1] Models that show users how to steal the vehicles using a USB charging cable or similar common household items have led to a 60 percent increase in thefts in some major cities.

“We just want to remind everyone: If you have a vehicle on campus, make sure you have the keys with you and lock your car,” Bullock said.

Bruce said Campus Safety will continue to address incidents on campus while working with the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, including the UI’s Title IX office, to develop proactive education initiatives for prevention.

“The safety of students, faculty and staff is our top priority,” Bruce said. “We evaluate this data in real time to provide education and tips to faculty, staff and students, ensuring people have the information they need to take their safety seriously.”