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Minor sex offenses should be reported

We hear about sex offenders on campus, or near campus, often. The story of the notorious “TCU rapist” is told to freshmen to scare them out of jogging alone at night, and females are often warned to watch their drinks and be wary of the “date rape drug.”

But one offense we don’t hear about much is public masturbation.

These incidents are reported a couple of times a year, said Steve McGee, chief of the TCU police.

This often goes unreported because victims don’t think anyone will see it as a big deal.

However, a representative from the Tarrant County Rape Crisis Center said people who do these things in public will get braver if they are not caught because they get a false sense of security. Their actions may escalate to more harmful offenses.

The Rape Crisis Center representative also said reasons for not reporting sex offenses, even minor ones, are because the victim feels somewhat responsible for “putting themselves in that situation,” and people make them feel responsible with comments such as, “What were you wearing?” or “Why were you walking alone at night?”

But it is always the responsibility of the sex offender for taking advantage of the situation.

Pam Christian, crime prevention officer for the TCU police, said reporting minor offenses such as public masturbation could help with finding the bolder sex offenders.

The only thing you have to do is call the TCU police at (817) 257-7777 immediately after the assault, and go to the station to give a statement. This takes five to 10 minutes and is worth your time.