(BLOOMINGTON) – Indiana University released key findings from its most recent survey on sexual misconduct, assault, and related issues during the university’s December Board of Trustees meeting. During the most recent spring semester, more than 9,000 students across all campuses completed the survey, which gathers data on students’ experiences and perceptions of safety on campus.
“IU is strongly committed to combating the serious issues associated with all forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and sexual assault,” said Emily Springston, university director in the Office of Institutional Equity and university Title IX coordinator. “Unfortunately, we know that these serious issues affect a significant portion of our students both before and while they’re attending college. Though the results of our survey are generally consistent with national data and those from similar studies at other universities, it confirms the importance of IU’s dedication and pledge to combating these issues on our own campuses.”
From these insights — as well as those from the inaugural surveys that launched on the IU Bloomington campus in 2014 and at IUPUI and the regional campuses in 2016 — the university is able to make strategic improvements to its prevention programming and services to students.
IU also developed and implemented a bystander intervention program, which is required for all first-year students on the Bloomington campus, as well as a training module on university policies and procedures specifically for graduate students.
IU Bloomington 2019 results
Approximately half of the student population on the IU Bloomington campus (19,939) was invited in spring 2019 to complete the survey.
Survey results confirm the vital importance of IU’s continuing commitment to combatting these serious issues, which affect a significant number of students – both before and while they are attending college.
2,961 students
The data represents responses from 15% of those students invited to participate, and 7% of the total undergraduate and graduate student population
The sample consisted of:
- 92% – undergraduate students
- 8% – graduate students
- 61% – female
- 39% – male
Key findings
- 82% – THINK SEXUAL MISCONDUCT IS A PROBLEM ON CAMPUS
- 92% – THINK SEXUAL MISCONDUCT IS A PROBLEM THROUGHOUT SOCIETY
- 89% – FEEL SAFE ON CAMPUS
- 78% – FEEL SAFE IN THE AREA SURROUNDING CAMPUS
- 74% – OF PARTICIPANTS FEEL THEY CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
- 81% – FEEL THE UNIVERSITY WOULD TAKE A REPORT OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT SERIOUSLY
- 72% – FEEL THE UNIVERSITY WOULD PROTECT SOMEONE MAKING A REPORT FROM RETALIATION
- 72% – FEEL THE UNIVERSITY WOULD ENSURE DUE PROCESS AND A FAIR INVESTIGATION
Student experiences with sexual harassment since coming to IU
- 5% – OF UNDERGRADUATE MEN
- 26%OF UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN
- 0% – OF GRADUATE MEN
- 25% – OF GRADUATE WOMEN
Student experiences with nonconsensual sexual touching since coming to IU
- 14% – OF UNDERGRADUATE MEN
- 42% – OF UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN
- 12% – OF GRADUATE MEN
- 31% – OF GRADUATE WOMEN
Student experiences with nonconsensual sexual touching before attending IU
- 15% – OF UNDERGRADUATE MEN
- 44% – OF UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN
- 23% – OF GRADUATE MEN
- 51% – OF GRADUATE WOMEN
Student experiences with nonconsensual sexual penetration (attempted or completed) since coming to IU
- 3% – OF UNDERGRADUATE MEN
- 18% – OF UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN
- 1% – OF GRADUATE MEN
- 9% – OF GRADUATE WOMEN
Of these assaults, 28% occurred on campus (residence hall, outside, or other on-campus building), 10% occurred at a fraternity or sorority facility, and 55% occurred off-campus (residence, off-campus outside, bar, club or restaurant). This data is for assaults with completed penetration only and does not include information about assaults with attempted penetration.
Results and data
While the data is not a complete representation of the experiences of all undergraduate and graduate students at IU Bloomington, it is important to officials understanding experiences and perceptions on campus.
Complete data and a summary of key findings will be provided in the full campus climate survey report, which will be released in early 2020.
Information, Stop Sexual Violence, https://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/
