This report has discussed the activities of AAU member institutions focused on preventing and responding to campus sexual assault and misconduct. Such a snapshot of activities at a particular point in time is important to highlight promising practices, to provide universities with options as they address complex issues around sexual assault and misconduct, and to assist uiversities as they work to allocate resources to prevention, education, and awareness in the most effective and efficient manner.
The specific infographics, charts, examples, and case studies called out in the report are but a small sample of the activities underway at these universities. Beyond the report, universities have been involved in important and complimentary activities to decrease the incidence of sexual assault and misconduct. In the aggregate, this report illustrates that while institutions have varied in their approaches and strategies to prevent, combat, and educate about campus sexual assault and misconduct, all are responding with seriousness and urgency, with the common objective of making campuses safe, respectful places to learn and grow.
100% of responding institutions have surveyed students on issues around sexual assault and misconduct at least once since 2013.
87% 48/55) of responding institutions indicated that surveys or data from surveys stimulated new or changed existing conversations with students about sexual assault and misconduct.
Over the last three academic years, 100% of responding institutions have changed or are in the process of changing their education and training for students and faculty. For staff, the figure is 98%.
Over the last three academic years, 84% (46/55) of institutions have developed new programs, education, or interventions for specific student populations or types of students.
Over the last three academic years, 100% of responding institutions have developed, redefined, or enhanced programs to assist victims of sexual assault and misconduct.
Nearly 75% (41/55) of responding institutions reported conducting question-based data collection or studies that delve more deeply into specific issues raised by surveys, focus on the experiences of particular student populations, or address other specific issues; virtually all responding institutions (98%) reported plans to conduct such studies in the future.
95% (52/55) of responding institutions indicated that they are developing new coordination or data-sharing relationships between offices and programs to help address sexual assault and misconduct on campus.
More than 90% (50/55) of institutions reported increasing resources over the last three academic years in each of three categories: victim support, student training, and faculty and staff training. 82% (45/55) of institutions reported increasing resources in all three of these categories, and 96% (53/55) increased resources in at least two of the three.
84% (46/55) of institutions said they were developing new or improved ways of measuring the effectiveness of policies, programs and interventions.
84% (46/55) of institutions reported assessing students’ knowledge about and utilization of policies and resources, and well over half are assessing faculty (62% or 34/55) and staff (60% or 33/55) knowledge.
