November 08, 2016
The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) recently has released the resource “Best Practices: Campus Climate Surveys.” This resource provides helpful tips for administrators and students on college campuses working to launch a campus climate survey, which aims to prevent sexual assault. Surveys measure the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses and gauge students’ attitudes and behaviors, helping each college to be better equipped to address sexual assault on its own campus using data specific to that community.
OVW recommends the following best practices for colleges conducting a campus climate survey:
- Confidentiality - Ensure that the identities of participants remain confidential.
- Long-Term Action Plan - Create the most effective and comprehensive change by developing a follow-up action plan that targets the most needed areas on campus.
- Electronic Device Accessibility - Keep the survey to an average of 15 minutes, and design it so that it can function on a wide range of electronic devices.
- Incentives - Provide monetary incentives for students who respond to the surveys.
- Content of Questions - Collect data about the specific nature of a violent act, the context in which the incident occurred, and demographic information to determine rates of sexual assault within particular groups.
For more information the OVW Campus Climate Survey Best Practices, please click here.