In partnership with the University of Kentucky ‘s College of Education, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) conducted a study to analyze whether universities provide adequate services for students accused of sexual misconduct.
The report, “Expanding the Frame: Institutional Responses to Students Accused of Sexual Misconduct,” surveyed campus administrators from more than 200 higher education institutions to look into sexual misconduct processes on campuses.
Of the institutions surveyed, 52% were public four-year institutions and 38% were private, nonprofit four-year institutions. The remaining survey participants were from for-profit, international or two-year institutions.
“It would benefit us to say to the field and the Department of Education, ‘look we are taking respondents’ due process rights really seriously’ and in fact, many institutions have incorporated these support services on their campuses,” said Dr. Jill Dunlap, director for research and practice at NASPA. “So, we wanted to put the numbers behind that.”
The study referred to students who committed or were accused of sexual misconduct or violence as the responding party. At least 19% of individuals have been perpetrators of some form of sexually aggressive behavior, the survey found.
Almost 99% of participants revealed that their campus provides some type of service for responding parties. For the majority, services for responding parties have only been offered for fewer than five years, while 16% have provided services for responding parties for more than five years.
Services are provided to those students under investigation or who are found guilty of sexual misconduct. However, only a few institutions offer services for students on the sex offender registry or for those who committed sexual violence at another school and transferred.
