Student Trust Issues with University Handling of Sexual Misconduct

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:01:00 +0200

Sexual misconduct, including harassment, stalking, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault, remains a prevalent issue on U.S. college campuses. A 2024 survey of over 180,000 students found that one in five women and transgender or nonbinary undergraduates, as well as one in 17 undergraduate men, experienced sexual assault during college. Despite the prevalence, only 16% of victims reported incidents to campus authorities, and fewer than half of those who sought help found it effective. A study at a large U.S. university involving surveys, interviews, and focus groups revealed that many students, regardless of personal experience, lacked trust in their university's ability to handle sexual misconduct. Participants often cited broader institutional failings, such as inadequate responses to racism and anti-LGBTQ+ incidents, which contributed to perceptions of institutional betrayal. This lack of trust was frequently attributed to universities prioritizing reputation and risk managem