Calvin College Campus Climate Study on Sexual Assault Rachel M. Venema, PhD, MSW Department of Sociology & Social Work April 9, 2015 Rachel M. Venema, PhD, MSW Department of Sociology & Social Work April 9, 2015

Background  Prevalence of sexual assault during college  Prominent cases of sexual assault on college campuses  White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault “The first step in solving a problem is to name it and know the extent of it— and a campus climate survey is the best way to do that.” Not Alone,  Prevalence of sexual assault during college  Prominent cases of sexual assault on college campuses  White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault “The first step in solving a problem is to name it and know the extent of it— and a campus climate survey is the best way to do that.” Not Alone, 2014.

Calvin College  Previous campus study (1999)  11% of female students reported an experience of attempted or completed rape since age 14.  Clery Report Data  Sexual Assault Prevention Team  Broene Counseling Center  Judicial Affairs  Safer Spaces Team & Policy  Previous campus study (1999)  11% of female students reported an experience of attempted or completed rape since age 14.  Clery Report Data  Sexual Assault Prevention Team  Broene Counseling Center  Judicial Affairs  Safer Spaces Team & Policy

Project goals  Develop understanding of the campus climate  Perceptions of leadership and institutional response  Knowledge of policies and procedures  Perceptions of reporting  Bystander attitudes and behaviors  Develop understanding of the incidence of sexual violence among Calvin students  Characteristics and context  Reporting behaviors and factors influencing disclosure  Develop understanding of the campus climate  Perceptions of leadership and institutional response  Knowledge of policies and procedures  Perceptions of reporting  Bystander attitudes and behaviors  Develop understanding of the incidence of sexual violence among Calvin students  Characteristics and context  Reporting behaviors and factors influencing disclosure

Project importance  Experience of physical and psychological harm  Need for support services  Crime and justice issues  Need for accountability  Experience of physical and psychological harm  Need for support services  Crime and justice issues  Need for accountability

Project method  Online survey sent to students from the academic year  Survey completion in 10 minutes on average  Students who reported victimization completed a much longer survey  30 names randomly selected for a $25 gift card  1,236 (33.4%) students responded  Online survey sent to students from the academic year  Survey completion in 10 minutes on average  Students who reported victimization completed a much longer survey  30 names randomly selected for a $25 gift card  1,236 (33.4%) students responded

Sample (N = 1236) n (%) Population (N = 3701) n (%) Racial/Ethnic Identity White 1068 (86.4)2856 (77.2) American Indian/Alaska Native 12 (1.0)13 (0.4) Black/African American 42 (3.4)158 (4.3) Asian 103 (8.3)369 (10.0) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 5 (0.4)~ Other 54 (4.4)~ Hispanic or Latino 51 (4.1)126 (3.4) Multi-racial 96 (2.6) Sex Assigned at Birth n = 1231 n = 3699 Male 440 (35.7)1663 (45.0) Female 791 (64.3)2036 (55.0) Sexual Orientation n = 1234 Heterosexual 1163 (94.2) Bisexual 30 (2.4) Gay or lesbian 14 (1.1) Questioning 15 (1.2) Other 12 (1.0)

Class Leveln = 1233n = 3693 First year student 354 (28.7)1015 (27.5) Second year student 355 (28.8)943 (25.5) Third year student 296 (24.0)818 (22.2) Fourth year student 203 (16.5)916 (24.8) Other 25 (2.0)1 (0.03) Living Situation n = 1235 n = 3873 On- Campus: Residence Halls 678 (54.9)1852 (47.8) On- Campus: KE Apartments 144 (11.7)475 (12.3) Off- Campus: with family/relative 90 (7.3) Off- Campus: with friends 292 (23.6) Any Off- Campus 1546 (39.9) Other 31 (2.5) Sample n (%) Population n (%)

Perceptions of the campus climate

Perceptions of college actions If someone were to report a sexual assault to a campus authority, how likely is it that:

Perceptions of reporting experiences

Factors that influence reporting

Reporting procedures and support

The influence of training

Training related to sexual assault  36.6% of students have participated in an educational program or training related to sexual assault  111 (9%) Every Choice online training  187 (15%) SAPT Residence Hall training  189 (15%) Student Leadership training  125 (10%) Other  36.6% of students have participated in an educational program or training related to sexual assault  111 (9%) Every Choice online training  187 (15%) SAPT Residence Hall training  189 (15%) Student Leadership training  125 (10%) Other

Hearing a disclosure of sexual assault During the academic year,  24% of respondents had a friend or acquaintance disclose an unwanted sexual experience.  10% of respondents observed a situation that the student believed was, or could have led to, a sexual assault. During the academic year,  24% of respondents had a friend or acquaintance disclose an unwanted sexual experience.  10% of respondents observed a situation that the student believed was, or could have led to, a sexual assault.

Intervening in potential sexual assault

Clarifying terms  Sexual Assault  Involves penetration or other sexual contact  Involves force or coercion  Consent  Affirmative consent  Factors that inhibit the ability to consent  Sexual Assault  Involves penetration or other sexual contact  Involves force or coercion  Consent  Affirmative consent  Factors that inhibit the ability to consent

Incidence During the academic year,  101 (9.5%) students experienced unwanted sexual contact.  30 (30%) of those students reported more than one experience of unwanted sexual contact.  Predominantly women (82.8%), however 17% men  Predominantly heterosexual (81.2%), however 19% LGBTQ+  Of students who identified as LGBTQ+ on survey, 27% reported unwanted sexual contact compared to 7% of those who identified as heterosexual  Variety of class levels  Students who live on-campus: 57.4% residence halls, 15% KE apartments, 26% off-campus During the academic year,  101 (9.5%) students experienced unwanted sexual contact.  30 (30%) of those students reported more than one experience of unwanted sexual contact.  Predominantly women (82.8%), however 17% men  Predominantly heterosexual (81.2%), however 19% LGBTQ+  Of students who identified as LGBTQ+ on survey, 27% reported unwanted sexual contact compared to 7% of those who identified as heterosexual  Variety of class levels  Students who live on-campus: 57.4% residence halls, 15% KE apartments, 26% off-campus

Characteristics of victimization experience  Most common experience (78%) involved forced touching  About half involved psychological coercion/extreme pressure  30% involved physical force  About half involved perpetrator and victim’s use of alcohol  Most commonly involved an acquaintance (40%), a friend (32%), ex-romantic partner (19%), stranger (19%), or casual date (14%).  Most (54%) involved other students at Calvin College  Majority (70%) occurred off-campus; two-thirds of which were in Grand Rapids  Most common experience (78%) involved forced touching  About half involved psychological coercion/extreme pressure  30% involved physical force  About half involved perpetrator and victim’s use of alcohol  Most commonly involved an acquaintance (40%), a friend (32%), ex-romantic partner (19%), stranger (19%), or casual date (14%).  Most (54%) involved other students at Calvin College  Majority (70%) occurred off-campus; two-thirds of which were in Grand Rapids

Reporting and disclosure  Only 1 (of 101) student used the college’s formal reporting procedures  8 students were unsure  Very few reported to local police, faculty or staff at the college, or campus sexual assault advocate.  Instead, students most often told a close friend (60%), a roommate (29%), or no one (31%).  Only 1 (of 101) student used the college’s formal reporting procedures  8 students were unsure  Very few reported to local police, faculty or staff at the college, or campus sexual assault advocate.  Instead, students most often told a close friend (60%), a roommate (29%), or no one (31%).

Reasons for not disclosing n = 94n (%) Didn’t think what happened was serious enough to talk about 48 (51.1) Wanted to forget it happened 34 (36.2) It’s a private matter – wanted to deal with it on my own 33 (35.1) I thought I would be blamed for what happened 31 (33.0) Didn’t want others to worry about me 31 (33.0) Ashamed/embarrassed 30 (31.9) Didn’t think others would think it was serious 30 (31.9) Didn’t think others would understand 26 (27.7) Had other things I needed to focus on and was concerned about (e.g., classes, work) 23 (24.5)

Summary  Incidence is higher than official reports  Peer culture may discourage reporting  College culture may discourage disclosure and reporting  Most students are not familiar with college policies on sexual violence and support nor have they received training in this area  Incidence is higher than official reports  Peer culture may discourage reporting  College culture may discourage disclosure and reporting  Most students are not familiar with college policies on sexual violence and support nor have they received training in this area

Implications  Determine gaps and develop more effective strategies for prevention, education, and support services  Explore and address elements of campus culture that perpetuate violence and silence  Continue to monitor campus climate and incidence of sexual violence  Determine gaps and develop more effective strategies for prevention, education, and support services  Explore and address elements of campus culture that perpetuate violence and silence  Continue to monitor campus climate and incidence of sexual violence

Questions  For a copy of the presentation or report, please feel free to contact me:  Rachel Venema, Dept. of Sociology & Social Work   Spoelhof Center 221  For a copy of the presentation or report, please feel free to contact me:  Rachel Venema, Dept. of Sociology & Social Work   Spoelhof Center 221

Upcoming SAPT Events on Campus  Wednesday, April 15, 7pm– “The Mask You Live In” – Commons Annex Lecture Hall  Monday, April 27, 6pm – “Relationships and Consent: What Everyone Needs to Know.” BHT Residence Hall  Thursday, April 30, 12:20pm – Prayer for victim- survivors and for our community response. Commons Lawn  Thursday, April 30 – Take a stand and sign the It’s On Us pledge. The pledge will be on a banner available for signature in Johnny’s from 9am to 5pm.  Wednesday, April 15, 7pm– “The Mask You Live In” – Commons Annex Lecture Hall  Monday, April 27, 6pm – “Relationships and Consent: What Everyone Needs to Know.” BHT Residence Hall  Thursday, April 30, 12:20pm – Prayer for victim- survivors and for our community response. Commons Lawn  Thursday, April 30 – Take a stand and sign the It’s On Us pledge. The pledge will be on a banner available for signature in Johnny’s from 9am to 5pm.