University of Wisconsin-Madison American Association of Universities Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Assault Climate Survey This document addresses the issue of campus sexual violence, which may be a difficult topic for some readers. Please see the end of the document for available resources. Sexual assault, stalking, intimate partner violence, and sexual harassment are a devastating reality on college campuses, including UW–Madison. Students who experience these incidents are at risk for long-term physical and mental health problems, and may leave school or not complete their education. to UW–Madison which can be used to respond to and reduce gender-based violence on our campus. Last year, the White House made a call to action for academic institutions to protect college students from sexual assault. The call to action included recommendations such as the administration of campus sexual assault climate surveys. Subsequently, the Association of American Universities (AAU) announced that it would lead the creation of a sexual assault climate survey to examine the prevalence of, and attitudes about, gender-based violence. UW–Madison is one of 27 institutions that volunteered to take part. Administered in April and May, the survey provided an opportunity to obtain valuable data specific Sexual assault and sexual misconduct affect the entire campus community. Safety is a shared responsibility that we must all address together. When sexual assault occurs, UW–Madison will continue to respond promptly and compassionately to all reports, while providing resources and support where needed. Above all, the university is committed to working to reduce sexual violence on this campus, making this a safe place for everyone to live and learn. WHAT DID THE SURVEY FIND? Sexual assault and sexual misconduct* affect students of all genders and sexual orientations. Undergraduate women are most likely to say they’ve experienced it. • More than one in four (27.6 percent) undergraduate female students reported experiencing nonconsensual penetration or sexual touching. • Perpetrators were overwhelmingly identified as fellow students who are male, often a friend or acquaintance. • Assaults most commonly occurred in student residences such as private apartments and campus residence halls. Assaults were disproportionately reported in Greek residences. Alcohol is a common factor in sexual assault at UW–Madison. • Female students who experienced nonconsensual penetration by force indicated that the offender was drinking alcohol 76.1 percent of the time. Nearly 9,000 UW–Madison students completed the survey, a 22.2 percent response rate. Overall, 21.8 percent of under-graduates and 23 percent of graduate and professional students responded. For complete information, visit www.uhs.wisc.edu/ AAUSurvey.html Sexual assault and sexual misconduct often go unreported. • Of students who experienced penetration by force, 26.1 percent reported the incident. UW–Madison undergraduates report greater knowledge about sexual assault and awareness of campus resources than the national average. • This may suggest that our required first-year prevention programs are having an impact. • There are opportunities for improvement. Graduate and professional students, both at UW–Madison and nationally, report less knowledge. • UW–Madison undergraduates report largely positive attitudes about campus resources and response. • More than 70 percent of all students at UW–Madison think that campus officials would take a report of sexual misconduct or sexual assault seriously. Over half of all students report sexual harassment. • 22.2 percent of female graduate students who were sexually harassed report the perpetrator was a faculty member. Peers are the primary resource for students, but students seldom report intervening as bystanders. • Students most commonly report telling a friend about a sexual assault. • Less than one half of students who witnessed someone behaving in a sexually violent or harassing manner took action. NEXT STEPS Prevention & Education • Increase targeted prevention efforts and bystander training for incoming students and all students living in university housing and students within the Greek community. • Increase ongoing coordinated communications to the entire campus community on institutional policies and resources. • Provide and require sexual assault and misconduct education for all incoming graduate and professional students, building upon the pilot program launched this fall by University Health Services. Survivor Support & Victim Advocacy • Expand the Victim Advocate Services to allow all students timely access to trained advocates for resources and support, in addition to increased awareness of these services. • Engage students and communities who are disproportionately affected in new prevention and response efforts. Accountability • Allocate additional resources to respond to reports of gender-based violence in an effort to hold perpetrators accountable. • Appoint a task force and engage shared governance to address sexual harassment by university employees. • Create opportunities for deeper engagement with the entire campus community through existing professional development opportunities, campus partners, and marginalized communities, using culturally-appropriate channels. CONFIDENTIAL VICTIM ADVOCACY A comprehensive list of options for violence prevention and for supporting survivors on campus and in the community can be found at evoc.wisc.edu. University Health Services: Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy/EVOC uhs.wisc.edu/evoc Rape Crisis Center danecountyrcc.org Domestic Abuse Intervention Services abuseintervention.org REPORTING Students may report to the following campus offices and/or law enforcement agencies. A report to a campus office other than UWPD will not automatically result in a report to law enforcement unless requested. Dean of Students Office students.wisc.edu/doso/ Office for Equity and Diversity oed.wisc.edu Title IX Coordinator dblom@wisc.edu UW–Madison Police Department uwpd.wisc.edu Madison Police Department cityofmadison.com/police/ * Sexual assault includes both penetration and sexual touching without consent and/or by force or incapacitation. Sexual misconduct includes sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, and stalking.