How should aggravated assault be counted?

In the context of the Clery Act, aggravated assault should be counted as one offense per victim involved. This method of counting aligns with the guidelines provided for reporting crime statistics, which emphasize the importance of recognizing the number of victims affected by a single incident.

Counting one offense per victim highlights the impact of the crime on individuals rather than the overall incident itself. For instance, if a single event results in multiple injuries to different individuals, each of those victims represents a distinct occurrence of aggravated assault. This approach provides a clearer understanding of how many people have been affected by violent crime on campus, which is crucial for addressing safety concerns and providing necessary resources.

In this reporting framework, every victim essentially illustrates a separate statistic for the purpose of public safety notice and awareness, reflecting the true scope of violent incidents within the community.