Sexual Harassment of Students at Institutions of Higher Education: Variations in Students’ Experiences, Knowledge, and Perceptions Across Institutions

Abstract

Attention to sexual misconduct has focused on acquaintance rape, leaving a need for research on less highly recognizable forms of harm. We estimated institution of higher education (IHE)-specific prevalence of yellow zone sexual harassment (SH) among students at 27 IHEs. We then examined SH and perceived risk of sexual assault/misconduct, knowledge regarding policies/resources, and perceptions of sexual misconduct response. Between 37.1% and 55.7% of students experienced SH. Harassed students were much more likely than non-harassed students to feel at risk for sexual misconduct and to have negative views of sexual misconduct response. Implications for research, policy, and prevention/response are discussed.

Differences Among Types of Sexual Misconduct Incidents Reported to Title IX Coordinators and Institutional Stability in Incidents Over Time

“…These findings are consistent with previous studies (e.g., Richards et al, 2021b), and underscore the need to critically examine whether the current Title IX processes—including mandatory reporting—are serving survivors and the overall campus climate. Indeed, the limited prior research on survivors’ experiences with reporting to Title IX as well as the Title IX investigation and disciplinary process notes overwhelmingly negative experiences (Holland & Cipriano, 2021; Cipriano et al, 2021) and high personal “costs” of reporting for survivors (e.g., retaliation, shame, disbelief; Know Your IX, 2021).…”

Faculty–Student Consensual Sexual Relationship Policies: Examining Prevalence and Content using a Nationally Representative Sample of Institutions of Higher Education in the United States

“…A recent systematic review of 10 articles by Klein and Martin (2019) found that estimates of sexual harassment of U.S. college students vary widely across studies in the published literature using different sampling techniques and methods, from 9% (Campbell et al, 2021) to 97% (Yoon et al, 2010). Additional analysis of survey data from nearly 147,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at 27 U.S. IHEs found that 37–56% of students reported experiencing sexual harassment since entering the IHE (Klein et al, 2022).…”

“…Regarding perpetrators of sexual harassment against college students, studies show that while most undergraduate students report being harassed by a fellow undergraduate or graduate student (Klein & Martin, 2019; Klein et al, 2022), both undergraduate and graduate students report sexual harassment from faculty, and graduate students report that faculty are the primary perpetrators of their harassment (Klein & Martin, 2019). While prior research on sexual harassment among U.S. college students outside of 4-year schools is limited, a campus climate assessment of seven community colleges in New Hampshire found that 19% of students reported sexual harassment by a faculty/staff member (Howard, 2019).…”

“…A substantial body of work has focused on the prevalence rate and context of student-on-student sexual harassment and sexual assault at institutions of higher education (IHEs) in the United States (U.S.) (see meta-analysis by Fedina et al, 2018) as well as IHEs responses to such harassment (see meta-analysis by Sabina & Ho, 2014). More recent research has addressed faculty and staff sexual harassment of college students (Klein & Martin, 2019; Klein et al, 2022) and the impacts of such harassment on student outcomes and IHE climate (Klein et al, 2022). Likewise, prior work has identified the potential role of consensual sexual relationships (CSRs) between faculty/staff and students in fostering sexual harassment at IHEs (Mack, 1999) and the ways in which U.S. IHEs do or do not address CSRs through consensual sexual relationship policies (CSRPs) (Richards et al, 2014; Richards & Nystrom, 2022).…”

“…and methods, from 9% (Campbell et al, 2021) to 97% (Yoon et al, 2010). Additional analysis of survey data from nearly 147,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at 27 U.S. IHEs found that 37-56% of students reported experiencing sexual harassment since entering the IHE (Klein et al, 2022).…”