Sexual misconduct research shows statistics of assault and harassment on campus

WashU this morning released the results of a survey showing lower rates of sexual violence and harassment on campus compared to statistics from five years ago.

In the 2024 survey, the student response rate was 12.5%, compared to 16.9% in 2019. Key findings, such as reported from The Source, include the fact that 26.9% of women surveyed reported experiencing sexual violence since joining WashU, up from 35.1% in 2019.

Together with nine other universities, WashU participated in the Sexual misconduct research and awareness in higher educationwhich was available to any student graduating from WashU in the spring of 2024. These findings built on results from the Association of American Universities Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct, which was conducted and issued in 2019.

In addition, rates of sexual violence were higher among college students than among college students. The impact of harassment played a greater role for students who identify as non-binary, transgender or questioning. 47.1% of students with this identity reported experiencing sexual harassment that created an intimidating or offensive environment, compared to 20.2% of the entire student population.

According to The Source, this was the first time data was collected specifically on students’ gender identity, so there is no comparable data from 2019.

While many students on campus reported experiencing sexual assault or harassment, only 13.2% of these students said they subsequently contacted a WashU resource for support.

According to The Source, WashU’s data is largely consistent with data reported by the other universities whose students completed the survey.

Beverley Wendland, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, told The Source that the data informs university policy on issues of assault and harassment.

“Sexual violence and harassment are among the most difficult issues we face as a campus community, but we are doing everything we can to mitigate and ultimately reduce the number of incidents that occur,” Wendland said.

Dr. Anna “Dr. G” Gonzalez, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, noted that while there are fewer cases of assault among students, the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected the statistic.

“We also know that some students who completed the survey spent part of their time at WashU remote due to COVID, which may have had an impact on the incidence rate,” Gonzalez told The Source.

Gonzalez added that she still believes there is work to be done to prevent sexual violence.

“It is clear that improvements can and should be made, especially when it comes to raising awareness about the support and prevention programs WashU currently offers,” she said.

The Sexual Assault and Rape Anonymous Hotline (SARAH) provides confidential and anonymous support and is available 24/7 at 314-935-8080 during the fall and spring academic semesters.

There are counselors at the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center, located in Seigle Hall, Suite 435, who are confidentially available to any college student. The office can be reached at tel:314-935-3445 or by email at mailto:(email protected).

The National Sexual Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673 or via online chat at https://hotline.rainn.org/online.