Kate Murphy ’15, a higher education reporter for The Cincinnati Enquirer, and her colleague spent nearly a year examining the many elements and perspectives surrounding the issue of sexual assault on college campuses. Their findings were published on Aug. 6 on the front page of USA Today and an extensive video series is available online at sextalk.usatoday.com.
Nearly a year ago, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumna and Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Kate Murphy ’15 set out to examine campus sexual assault, looking beyond Title IX documents and federal lawsuits to foster an honest conversation about today’s college culture, as well as how to address and prevent sexual assault on campus.
In addition to interviewing survivors, the accused, family members, university officials and police officers, Murphy and Vogel spoke with the Rev. Fr. Michael Graham, president of Xavier University, who went as far as to call sexual assault on campus an “epidemic.”
Following the release of her investigation, Murphy tweeted, “watch and listen to these compelling perspectives that will challenge what you thought you knew about the issue.”
She added, “It’s not an easy topic to unravel and our culture makes it complicated. We listened to all sides. What we heard was devastating, enlightening and confusing.”
There are several companion pieces to the video series, including an addressing why the reporters investigated the topic – and what they learned along the way. Additionally, on the expansive video project and the topic of sexual assault on campus.
As an ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ undergraduate, , reporting on the issue of gun rights and gun legislation. The project, titled “,” in 2015. She was also individually recognized for her News21 story, which placed fourth in Hearst’s 2015 Enterprise Reporting competition.
Additionally, Murphy interned with The Times-News of Burlington, worked for The Pendulum, and started at goalkeeper for ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s women’s soccer team.