University of Texas System announces results of student survey on sexual assault and misconduct

AUSTIN—In an ongoing effort to enhance the safest learning environment possible for students, The University of Texas System on Friday announced results of an unprecedented student survey that looks at the prevalence, perceptions and experiences around a range of acts of sexual assault and misconduct that affect UT students.

The Cultivating Learning and Safe Environments (CLASE) report is the most in-depth survey of sexual assault and misconduct ever undertaken by an institution or system of higher education in the U.S. Thirteen of the UT System’s 14 institutions participated in the survey in fall 2015 and early spring 2016. UT Health Northeast was exempted because it does not enroll enough students to protect their anonymity.

The full report, including an executive summary and an explanation of the study methodology is posted on the UT System’s CLASE website.

The survey is part of a $1.7 million multi-year study spearheaded by UT System Chancellor William H. McRaven and was conducted by UT Austin’s Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, led by Director Noël Busch-Armendariz, Ph.D.

The study is groundbreaking because it 1) uses both qualitative and quantitative research data to better understand, address and reduce acts of sexual harassment, stalking, dating/domestic abuse and violence and unwanted sexual contact on UT campuses; and 2) includes a longitudinal component in which researchers will repeatedly survey a select cohort of students to help understand their knowledge, attitudes and experiences over the course of their college careers.

“If we want to understand and continuously improve our campus culture in order to facilitate student success, then we have to be open and honest about our students’ experiences beyond the classroom, no matter how uncomfortable it is,” McRaven said. “I’m pleased that UT institutions have numerous, effective programs to serve victims of sexual assault and misconduct, and with new knowledge, we can and must do better. The findings of this study shine a brighter light on sexual assault and misconduct that affects UT students and give us a deeper understanding of how to address these problems.”

More than 28,000 students voluntarily and confidentially participated in an extensive online survey. Of those, 26,373 were enrolled in academic institutions, and 1,853 were enrolled at health institutions. Reports for individual academic institutions are posted on the CLASE website; data for the health institutions are reported in aggregate to ensure the results are scientifically valid.

Survey questions focused on three main areas:

• Students’ experiences related to sexual assault and misconduct on and off campus since their enrollment at a UT System institution.
• Students’ perceptions of their institution’s responses to these issues.
• The impact of these forms of violence on students, such as missed classes or work, depression or increased use of drugs and alcohol.

Students were asked to respond to questions based on their experiences since they became a UT student. Questions provided specific criteria for behaviors that constituted an act of sexual assault or misconduct.

Because sexual assault and misconduct often go unreported, particularly among college students, it’s critical to understand the extent of the problem, said Busch-Armendariz, an expert in interpersonal violence who also serves as UT Austin’s associate vice president for research.

“This research helps lift the cloud of silence that exists around these issues across the nation,” she said. “The CLASE findings equip UT institutions with a deeper understanding of all students’ experiences as well as how to take action around these complex issues, regardless of where these incidents occurred. The goal is to arm institutions with information so they can continue to improve the safety and well-being of students and remove barriers that stand in the way of educational goals.”

According to the results of the CLASE survey, the prevalence rates of various types of victimization are comparable to rates at other institutions nationwide. However, there is little comfort in being comparable in this context, Busch-Armendariz said. In fact, the CLASE survey is intended to do more than report prevalence – it is intended to provide greater insight into the dynamics of these incidents in order to drive meaningful change that leads to a reduction in incidents.

Across eight academic institutions and five health institutions (which enroll mostly graduate and professional students) key findings of the CLASE survey include:

• At academic institutions, 10 percent of female undergraduate students and 4 percent of male undergraduate students reported being raped. At health institutions, 4 percent of female students and 2 percent of male students reported being raped.
• Of the four types of sexual harassment perpetrated by faculty or staff, students most frequently reported harassment such as sexist remarks or being shown sexist material. At academic institutions, 15 percent of undergraduate female students and 10 percent of male undergraduate students said they experienced sexist gender harassment by a faculty or staff member. At health institutions, 19 percent of female students and 15 percent of male students reported sexist gender harassment.
• At both academic and health institutions, the majority of victims of unwanted sexual contact and their perpetrators used alcohol and drugs at the time of victimization. In addition, the majority of victims of unwanted sexual contact had either a close relationship or were acquaintances with the perpetrator.
• Most instances of unwanted sexual contact – which includes unwanted sexual touching, attempted rape and rape – occur off campus. For example, 84 percent of unwanted sexual contact incidents occurred off campus at academic institutions. At health institutions, 97 percent of unwanted sexual contact incidents occurred off campus.

• The vast majority of both victims and non-victims reported feeling safe on their campus. At academic institutions, 76 percent of victims and 80 percent of non-victims reported feeling safe. The percentages are even higher at health institutions, where 89 percent of victims and 92 percent of non-victims reported feeling safe.

“The CLASE study demonstrates a commitment to understanding the dynamics of sexual violence while the results portray the reality and impact it brings,” said Rose Luna, deputy director of the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault. “Sexual assault advocates have long contended with the misconceptions and the lack of survivor justice as a result. This research project will help bridge the gap of misinformation to positively affect outcomes for survivors, college campuses, and society as a whole.” 

UT institutions already have numerous, well-established programs and services in place dedicated to preventing sexual assault and misconduct and responding to victims when an incident does occur. Every institution also proactively works to educate members of the campus community about the policies, procedures and resources related to victim support and the reporting of offenses, and each campus engages in a full array of training, awareness and prevention efforts.

Institutions are also diligent in ensuring justice and due process for those accused of sexual assault, misconduct or harassment, handling reports and investigations in a legal and appropriate manner that protects the rights of everyone involved.

The CLASE reports for each institution include a summary of existing programs as well as further commitments for action, based on the results of the survey.

“I am so pleased that the marvelous research capabilities of the University of Texas are being brought to bear on these issues,” said David L. Callender, M.D., president of UT Medical Branch in Galveston. “We hope that this research will take us far beyond a focus on Title IX compliance to new understanding and meaningful actions that reduce risky and inappropriate behaviors.”

Looking forward, additional research will be conducted, including an in-depth empirical investigation at all UT institutions and the four-year longitudinal study at UT Austin, which includes 1,300 students who are freshmen this academic year.

"Interpersonal violence is not just something I read on the headlines or watch on the news. It is something I hear about from my classmates, my coworkers, and my best friends. It's heartbreaking,” said Binna Kim, student body vice president at UT Austin. “As we move forward from the numbers we see today, we must continue to address the cultural implications to prevent instances like this from happening tomorrow. And most importantly, to the survivors of sexual assault on our campuses, I believe you and it's not your fault."

Since he became UT System chancellor in 2015, McRaven has championed efforts to better understand the prevalence and institutional response to incidents of sexual assault and misconduct.

For example, last year, UT System Police and Busch-Armendariz’s research team published the first science-based, victim-centered blueprint for law enforcement on how to better respond to sexual assault cases at all 14 UT institutions.

And in 2015, the UT System launched an initiative to teach college students intervention strategies to deter sexual assaults, cheating, suicides and racism. Known as the UT System Bystander Intervention Initiative, the program empowers students with knowledge on how to keep their peers healthy and safe.

“We are taking a proactive approach because student success – which goes hand in hand with student safety, security and well-being – is our No. 1 priority.” McRaven said. “We will address sexual misconduct, and we will be a leader in creating solutions.”

About The University of Texas System

Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking basic, applied and clinical research, and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. With 14 institutions and an enrollment of more than 228,000, the UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates almost two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public institutions in Texas. The UT System’s operating budget for FY 2017 is $17.9 billion, including $3 billion in sponsored programs funded by federal, state, local and private sources. With more than 20,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates and many members of the National Academies – and nearly 80,000 health care professionals, researchers, student advisors and support staff, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.