Individual reports of sexual harassment to an organization through formal reporting channels, such as notifications to the Title IX Office, are not reliable indicators of the prevalence of the problem. In fact, it is rare for those who experience sexual harassment to file a report with their institution - studies show that approximately 2 to 7 percent of individuals do so. Measuring the prevalence of sexual harassment on a campus can be achieved by collecting population-based data in the form of a large-scale survey. The ability for such a survey to do so accurately, however, depends on many factors, such as whether the questions it contains have been tested to determine whether participants understand and interpret them as intended.
This issue paper from Evaluation Working Group of the Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education provides information specifically on conducting climate assessments to measure sexual harassment prevalence. This publication describes key considerations for each step in the campus climate assessment process and identifies where there are gaps in the research knowledge.
24 pages
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8.5 x 11
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ISBN Ebook: 0-309-27039-1
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/26346
Merhill, N. M., K. A. Bonner, and A. L. Baker (Eds.). 2021. Guidance for Measuring Sexual Harassment Prevalence Using Campus Climate Surveys: Issue Paper. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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