UVA publishes survey results on student experiences and perceptions of sexual misconduct

The University of Virginia has released the results of a comprehensive survey of student experiences, awareness and perceptions of sexual misconduct and assault on Grounds.

The university was one of ten higher education institutions that voluntarily participated in the survey on sexual misconduct and awareness in higher education. Social science company Westat administered the survey, which was based on a former Association of American Universities Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct, last conducted at UVA in 2019.

Anonymous survey results provide the University with needed insight into students’ experiences on Grounds and their awareness of reporting and support resources. The survey also helps inform the University’s student awareness of existing resources, response and support, and informs the University’s ongoing efforts to reduce and prevent sexual violence and misconduct.

“The recent survey participation and results are encouraging and serve as a reminder that our efforts to raise awareness and prevent sexual misconduct matter,” said Kenyon Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer. “But as long as any of our students are affected by this behavior, we know there is more work to be done. Our goal is to completely eradicate sexual misconduct at UVA, providing the safest and healthiest environment for everyone.”

The survey was distributed to a representative, random sample of 6,000 UVA undergraduate, graduate and professional students between April 2 and May 15, 2024, with 1,836 students participating. UVA’s response rate was 30.6%, consistent with the 2019 response rate of 30.4%.

UVA’s full report can be found on the website Website of the Office for Equal Opportunities and Civil Rights. Westat also has the aggregated report of the 2024 survey results.

Among the many questions in the survey, students were asked about their perceptions regarding sexual misconduct, and whether they have experienced various forms of sexual misconduct, such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and intimate partner violence. Compared to the 2019 survey, fewer male and female undergraduate and graduate students reported experiencing sexual harassment. Of graduate women who responded to the survey, 13.7% reported experiencing sexual harassment, compared to 26% of undergraduate women, 8.8% of undergraduate men, and 4.8% of graduated men. In 2019, 22.8% of graduate women, 29% of undergraduate women, 11.1% of undergraduate men, and 5.6% of graduate men reported these experiences.

Among UVA 2024 survey respondents, 25.1% of undergraduates and 29.3% of graduate non-binary, transgender or gender self-identified students reported an experience of sexual harassment, compared to 47.1% of the students and 32.6% of the graduates in the entire consortium of 10 universities. 2024.

Participating students were also asked how problematic they thought sexual violence or other sexual misconduct is at UVA. About 53% said it is at least somewhat of a problem, up from 67% in 2019.

Other key findings from the 2024 UVA student survey include:

• Fewer students in almost every category reported experiencing sexual violence involving physical violence, threats of physical violence, or incapacitation since starting at UVA, compared to the 2019 survey. Among nonbinary women, 19.7% reported an experience, compared to 5% of graduate women, 6.5% of undergraduate men, 2.3% of graduate men, 13.3% of non-binary, transgender, or gender self-identified students, and 15.8% of graduating non-binary students. , transgender or gender self-identified students. In 2019, 25.5% of undergraduate women, 10% of graduate women, 7.9% of undergraduate men, and 1.9% of graduate men reported experiencing sexual assault.
• In the 2023-2024 academic year alone, fewer first-year students (11.2%) reported experiencing sexual assault. In the survey results for the 2018-2019 academic year alone, 19.1% of first-year students reported an experience.
• Reports of intimate partner violence are consistent with 2019 survey results among UVA respondents. In the 2019 survey, 9.3% of undergraduate women, 8.2% of undergraduate men, 7.9% of graduate women, and 4.6% of graduate men reported experiencing violence by a intimate partner had experienced. In 2024, 8.8% of undergraduate women, 7% of undergraduate men, 6.1% of graduate women, and 5.1% of graduate men reported incidents of violence.

Most respondents to the UVA survey, 67%, reported that they were at least somewhat aware of how sexual assault and other sexual misconduct are defined, and 64% were at least somewhat aware of where they perceived misconduct and harassment.

“We are pleased that the climate survey results indicate that our community is aware of conduct that constitutes sexual misconduct and how to make a report,” said Molly Zlock, UVA assistant vice president and Title IX coordinator Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights. . “However, the results also indicate a reluctance among students to report sexual misconduct to our Title IX office. It is important that our community knows that our Title IX office is committed to providing supporting measures and resources to anyone affected by sexual misconduct, regardless of whether they wish to participate in a resolution process.”

Initiatives and resources on Grounds to support and inform students, and to respond to reports of sexual misconduct, include:

• Sexual violence prevention training modules, previously referred to as ‘Not on Our Premises’, are required for all incoming students during orientation, and for all students every two years, which address the University’s policy on sexual and gender-based harassment and other forms of interpersonal violence (the Title IX policy) is discussed. ) and alcohol abuse.
• Within UVAs Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, the Title IX Team includes dedicated case managers and investigators responsible for responding to and investigating reports submitted under the University’s Title IX policy. The office also offers in-person training sessions to students, faculty and staff on a variety of topics related to sexual and gender-based violence and other forms of discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
• The employees of the advisory and welfare services of the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center includes trauma counselors to help students access various resources.
• The UVA Counseling and psychological services The staff includes licensed social workers, counselors, psychologists, nurses and psychiatrists. CAPS offers a range of services including psychotherapy, medication management, case management and 24-hour crisis support.