Instances of sexual misconduct prior to coming to IU South Bend exceeds, in every case, those experienced by participants since coming to IU South Bend. Graduate men did not report experiencing nonconsensual attempted sexual penetration or nonconsensual sexual penetration before or since coming to IU South Bend.
Undergraduate women reported the highest rates of experiencing nonconsensual sexual touching since coming to IU South Bend (9%). Among undergraduate men and graduate women, stalking was reported as the most experienced type of sexual misconduct since coming to IU South Bend (3% and 9%, respectively). Graduate men reported equal rates of experiencing stalking and nonconsensual sexual touching since coming to IU South Bend (4%).
5% of undergraduate women and 4% of graduate women reported experiencing attempted or completed nonconsensual sexual penetration since coming to IU South Bend. This tracks much lower than the most cited study, which indicates that 1 in 5 women experience attempted or completed rape during their collegiate experience (Fisher et al., 2000).
Undergraduate women reported most often telling friends about the experience (60%), followed by parents (33%) and someone at IU South Bend (19%). (See Table 2.4). When asked what kinds of responses they received, the majority (71%) indicated they felt supported by those they shared their experience with.
Of the undergraduate women participants who reported experiencing attempted or completed acts of sexual penetration, 65% of those reporting completed and 68% of those reporting attempted penetration noted the assailant was not affiliated with IU South Bend.
48% of undergraduate women reported that the incident occurred at an off-campus residence, and the majority indicated that the assailant was known to them in some way.
Among undergraduate women participants reporting on a specific experience of sexual misconduct, 70% indicated the assailant was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and 55% indicated they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 70% of participants did not believe the assailants intentionally gave them alcohol to the point of intoxication for the purpose of sexual contact.
Among undergraduate women who did not tell anyone about the incident, 53% responded that they felt it was a private matter they wanted to deal with on their own, and 50% said they did not think what happened was “serious enough to disclose to others.”
Participants across genders and levels in school reported high rates of feeling valued in the classroom and learning environment, as well as feeling that faculty, staff, and administrators are genuinely concerned about their welfare. The majority of participants additionally reported feeling that faculty, staff, and administrators at IU South Bend treat students fairly.
Undergraduates reported higher rates of feeling safe on campus (women 83%, men 92%) than feeling safe in the area surrounding campus (women 58%, men 70%). Graduate students similarly reported feeling safer on campus than in the area surrounding campus.
The majority of participants felt that the university would take a report of sexual assault or other sexual violence seriously (undergraduate men 86%, women 82%; graduate men 79%, women 80%). While nearly half of all women participants reported feeling that it was likely that the alleged offender or their associates would retaliate against someone making a report, these groups reported higher rates of feeling that the university would likely take steps to protect the person making the report from retaliation (undergraduates 73%, graduates 70%).
Overall, graduate women reported the lowest rates of understanding and knowing where to get immediate help, how to follow up with campus officials, and how to find more information about IU’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures if they or a friend were sexually assaulted.
Graduate students reported lower rates of having seen or received information from IU South Bend regarding what constitutes sexual misconduct, as well as information about IU’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures.
Undergraduate men reported the highest rates of having talked about the issue of consent with a romantic/sexual partner (66%). The majority of all participlants had previously spoken to friends about consent.
Men and women most frequently mentioned courses, syllabi, and professors when asked how and where they received information from IU South Bend about sexual misconduct and IU’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures.
The majority of participants across all groups were consistent in identifying situations that indicated that someone is not giving or is not able to give consent (physical resistance, saying “no,” not saying “yes,” asleep, use of substances with impairment, etc.). Most notably, men and women were consistent in their understanding, with small variances.
Participants across all genders and class levels reported high rates of confidence to express discomfort when someone says that rape victims are to blame for being raped, and that they would help someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs get away from a potentially vulnerable situation to a safe place.
Undergraduate men and women reported lower rates of thinking that sexual misconduct is a problem on the IU South Bend campus (8% and 14%, respectively). Graduate participants reported slightly higher rates (men16%, women 18%) of agreement that it is a problem for the campus.
Of the undergraduate male participants who witnessed a situation that may have led to or was a sexual assault, 58% reported that they confronted the person who appeared to be causing the situation.
