University to administer third 'We Speak' sexual misconduct awareness survey

By the Office of Communications on March 27, 2017, 10 a.m.

Completing a three-year effort, Princeton University will again survey undergraduate and graduate students about their knowledge and experiences of inappropriate sexual behavior and about their awareness of University policies, procedures and resources.

The "We Speak Survey" will be distributed to students via email Tuesday.

The survey was first administered in 2015. In the second survey last year, Princeton students reported an increased awareness of campus resources and information related to sexual misconduct, as well as a lower overall prevalence of inappropriate sexual behaviors during the 2015-16 academic year.

Those were among the many findings of the report (PDF) "We Speak: Attitudes on Sexual Misconduct at Princeton University" issued in November. The confidential Web-based survey was completed by 47 percent of the University's nearly 8,000 students. 

The findings of the previous surveys and the new one will help inform University programming to address and prevent issues related to inappropriate sexual behavior and to provide a safe and supportive campus environment.

"Each year teaches us something more about sexual misconduct in our community and directly impacts how we approach prevention and intervention efforts," said Jacqueline Deitch-Stackhouse, director of the Sexual Harassment/Assault, Advising, Resources and Education Office (SHARE). "Students who invest a few minutes on this survey play a vital role in the violence prevention effort and every contribution counts toward the creation of a safer and more respectful community."

Results of the new survey, which will run for about three weeks into mid-April, will be analyzed over the summer and released in the fall.

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