What are the data on sexual misconduct on college campuses?

Challenge

The primary goal of the Higher Education Sexual Misconduct and Awareness (HESMA) survey, fielded in 2024, was to equip participating institutions of higher education (IHE) with vital information to inform and shape policies for preventing and responding to sexual assault and misconduct on campus.

By examining the prevalence of such incidents and assessing the campus climate, the survey aims to gather comprehensive data to assist colleges and universities in developing effective strategies and policies. This initiative is crucial in helping member schools create safer, more responsive environments to combat sexual assault and misconduct within their communities.

Solutions

Ten universities participated in the HESMA survey: California Institute of Technology, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Iowa State University, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, University of Virginia, Washington University at St. Louis, and Yale University. All 10 schools also participated in the 2019 Association of American Universities (AAU) Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct, which was also conducted by Westat.

To maintain the ability to track changes since 2019, the HESMA survey used essentially the same questionnaire as the 2019 AAU survey. As a result, the 2024 HESMA survey not only provides information on the prevalence, knowledge, and perceptions surrounding sexual assault and misconduct at the participating schools but also how each has changed since 2019.

The survey adhered to rigorous standards to ensure data quality and relevance. A probability sample was drawn from each school, and the data were weighted to account for the sampling and nonresponse. The research team managed the institutional review board (IRB) processes, tailored the web surveys to individual institutions, and included various design features such as incentives, customized survey questions, and personalized invitation emails to maximize response rates. The research team also addressed security and human subject concerns by ensuring data anonymity and providing resources for respondents who may experience distress as a result of recalling traumatic events.

Results

One key estimate from the survey is the prevalence of nonconsensual sexual contact by physical force or inability to consent. This type of sexual misconduct involves behaviors and tactics that meet common federal and state definitions of rape and sexual assault. For the period since first enrolling in school:

• The prevalence rate for women was 13.3% and 16.3% for gender nonbinary, transgender, questioning, or self-identified students. The rate for men was 4.3%.
• About 1/3 of the victims made contact with a program or resource.
• The prevalence decreased between 2019 and 2024. Part, but not all, of the change is correlated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other types of misconduct measured on the survey included sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, and stalking. With respect to the prevalence of sexual harassment:

• 18.7% of students reported sexually harassing behavior that met the federal standards defining sexual harassment.
• With respect to gender, sexual harassment was highest for gender nonbinary, transgender, questioning, or self-identified students (47.1%).
• There was a small decrease in the prevalence of sexual harassment between 2019 and 2024.

Overall, 22.5% of students reported that sexual assault and sexual misconduct were either “very” or “extremely” problematic at their school. However, this was much higher for women (34%) and for gender nonbinary, transgender, questioning, or self-identified students (49%).

A majority (57.6%) of the students believe a school official will take a report of sexual assault seriously.

Read the Report

Report on the 2024 Higher Education Sexual Misconduct and Awareness Survey: Aggregate Report (PDF)