What Does It Take to Improve Prevention of Sexual Assault on College Campuses Under the New Political Environment in the United States?: A Systematic Review of Global Practices to Formulate Policy, Practice and Research Implications for an HBCU

Background and Purpose: The primary function of Title IX at U.S. colleges is to serve as a resource when complaints of sexual misconduct, discrimination, violence, or harassment are filed by students, faculty, or staff. The Obama administration sought to improve campus safety by requiring universities to have a clear policy against sex discrimination, a Title IX Coordinator on staff, and clear procedures in place for students for filing complaints. However, in 2020 the Department of Education (DOE) rescinded Obama’s directives and set forth guidelines that reduced university responsibilities to survivors and increased protections for the accused.

The Title IX office at a historically black university reached out for assistance in improving their services and outreach to students. Authors assessed the Office’s needs as well as the 2020 Title IX enforcement changes as the Office adjusted policies to meet the new guidelines. The purpose of this study was to formulate recommendations to improve services of the HBCU’s Title IX Office in order to best meet the needs of survivors when responding to claims of sexual misconduct under the revised guidelines.

This systematic review examined various campus actions and policies across the United States with attention to those most effective in prevention of and response to sexual misconduct. The researchers were interested in responses that go beyond the Title IX mandate and consider the needs of students of color and LGBTQIA2+ students. In addition to examining U.S.-based universities, the researchers considered international practices for novel approaches to the problem.

Methods: The researchers divided the academic search between published studies and grey literature (university websites, reports, etc.). SocIndex and PsychInfo databases, as well as archives for specific journals, were used to search for existing research using terms including Title IX Office, sexual assault, sexual harassment, college/university campus, and college/university student. Items not specific to university settings or focused on non-student populations (e.g. military sexual assault) were excluded from the review. Inclusion criteria required studies to be specific to college/university research related to sexual assault or harassment of students as well as best practices in service delivery.

Results: Preliminary findings suggest that universities who serve all students targeted by violence (whether a Title IX violation or not), are better able to provide trauma-informed care including counseling services and changes to housing assignments or class schedules. Accommodations for survivors may improve retention of students or return to campus after a short leave of absence rather than withdrawal from the university.

Conclusions and Implications: By examining what successful schools are doing to address campus sexual assault, best practices guidelines can be developed to provide trauma-informed care for survivors while respecting the rights of the accused in accordance with federal law. With guidelines that consider both complainants and accused offenders, universities may better address the needs of all students, particularly special populations such as students of color and LGBTQIA2S+ students. Collaboration of the Title IX Office with students and offices providing supportive services is essential to creating a culture of prevention on campuses.