Spring Break Rape Epidemic? Six Reported So Far in Daytona Beach

By: Kealan Oliver
Topics: Daily Blotter

Spring Break (Personal Photo)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (CBS/AP) In just one week, six rapes were reported in Daytona Beach. Not coincidentally, the week in question was the first week of spring break, when students flock to the city.

Only one arrest has been made, but authorities are investigating to find suspects in the other rapes.

In five of the cases, drug or alcohol use was a factor, police said. Three of the victims were unconscious when assaulted, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Daytona Police Chief Mike Chitwood told the Sentinel, "I can't tell you how many of these incidents aren't reported." He said the reasons women don't report the crimes are embarrassment and not wanting their family to find out.

Four of the alleged rapes occurred behind a popular beachfront restaurant, one happened at a resort and spa, and one happened on the mainland.

Last year there were 41 sexual assaults in Daytona Beach; rapes typically increase in March because of vacationers on spring break, said police.

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by tmittelstaed March 19, 2010 4:51 AM EDT: It always amazes me that young women think that it's perfectly safe to go alone into the middle of a group of young drinking men who they just met an hour earlier and drink themselves into unconsciousness. These are supposed to be college girls, you know, girls smart enough to make it into college? Pretty dumb.

I've seen many people both girls and guys, have RADICAL personality changes after drinking a lot. Some of those guy are going to drink too much and get get very agressive, and combined with a girl who drinks too much then becomes very sexually agressive - then falls asleep - and what do you expect is going to happen?; Reply to this comment