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FAQ: 2023 Survey

Why does Cornell conduct biennial surveys about campus sexual assault and related misconduct?

Sexual assault and related misconduct on college campuses are serious national problems, occurring with unacceptable frequency at Cornell and among people of college age across the country. New York State Education Law Article 129-B requires New York state colleges and universities to conduct a campus climate survey no less than every two years. Administration of the 2023 Cornell Survey on Sexual Assault and Related Misconduct is a part of Cornell’s ongoing commitment to creating a safer, more caring campus culture in which bias, harassment and violence have no place.

The overarching goals of this survey are to:

  • Estimate the prevalence of different forms of nonconsensual sexual contact, harassment, stalking, and domestic and dating violence among undergraduate and graduate/professional students at Cornell; and to examine the context within which these forms of violence occur.
  • Assess student knowledge of Cornell resources, policies and procedures related to sexual and related misconduct, including sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and sexual and gender-based harassment; and the obstacles that may prevent the use of available resources.
  • Explore students’ beliefs concerning their own decision to intervene or not as bystanders to various scenarios that pose a risk of potential harm to other students.

Who took the survey?

In spring 2023, a statistically representative sample of 6,000 students from the Ithaca, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Cornell Tech campuses received email invitations to participate in the survey.

  • 2,163 students completed the survey for an overall response rate of 36%, similar to the response rates from the previous biennial surveys.
  • 1,152 undergraduate students and 1,011 graduate/professional students responded to the survey.

Are the 2023 survey results representative of the full Cornell community?

Survey invitations were sent to a randomly selected sample of 6,000 students. Since not all students who were invited chose to participate in the survey, a base weight was calculated to adjust for patterns of survey non-response. The percentages shown in the tables of survey results are weighted estimates of the Cornell student population. Weighted estimates allow us to have greater confidence that the percentages we see in the data are reflective of Cornell’s student body as a whole across our campuses.

What types of questions were asked in the survey?

The survey primarily asked about students’ experiences with a wide range of inappropriate sexual behavior while enrolled at Cornell, including nonconsensual sexual contact (penetration and/or sexual touching), sexual and gender-based harassment, stalking, and domestic and dating violence. The survey also asked about students’ knowledge of Cornell resources and policies concerning sexual assault and related misconduct.

How does the 2023 data differ from that of previous surveys at Cornell?

While the prevalence of nonconsensual sexual contact declined slightly during the COVID-19 pandemic (as measured in 2021), levels have generally returned to pre-pandemic prevalence. One notable difference is in the prevalence of stalking reported in the 2023 survey. In 2023, 13% of survey respondents say they had experienced stalking since entering Cornell. This prevalence represents an increase from that of past surveys, when approximately 5% of respondents reported experiencing stalking at Cornell.

  • Students were asked about the specific forms of stalking behavior.
  • The more significant uptick – 8% compared to 3% in previous years – was with students reporting unwanted calls, emails or messages.
  • For reference, 3% of students reported having someone show up or wait for them, and 4% said they had been spied on, watched or followed. These two categories remained consistent with levels reported in previous surveys.

How will the survey data be used?

Survey results will help us better understand the attitudes, knowledge and experiences of our undergraduate, graduate and professional students with respect to sexual assault and related misconduct. The data resulting from these surveys provides insight into the context of student experiences and guidance for strategic planning that can focus on groups at higher risk of experiencing harassment and assault. The data will help university administrators formulate policies and practices intended to make students safer while informing the development of new education and prevention efforts.

How do Cornell’s 2023 survey results compare with results from other surveys about campus sexual violence?

A number of research studies and surveys have been conducted in an effort to better understand the prevalence of sexual assault and misconduct at colleges and universities. While all share a common focus on campus sexual violence, these efforts have employed different research designs and asked survey questions that are specific to their research needs. Likewise, the Cornell survey was designed to reflect our campus context and collect information of use to campus decision-makers. This means that our 2023 survey results are distinct and cannot be precisely compared to results obtained from surveys conducted by other researchers, colleges or universities. However, we can report that Cornell’s 2023 survey results concerning the prevalence of various forms of sexual violence are generally consistent with those that historically have been reported on surveys at other campuses.

With the prevalence of nonconsensual sexual contact remaining static over the last several years, what is Cornell doing differently now to reduce the prevalence rate?

Sexual assault is a complex, deeply-rooted problem that can occur both during and outside of the college experience. Like our peer institutions who also have found consistent prevalence over the years, Cornell recognizes that changing the culture and behaviors that lead to nonconsensual sexual contact poses unique challenges. Students come into our community with behaviors, values and attitudes already developed. For these reasons, Cornell believes that a comprehensive public health approach will, in the long run, have the greatest promise in reducing nonconsensual sexual contact among students at Cornell.

Federal and New York state law requires affirmative consent education for all incoming students. And while we fulfill this mandate, the static prevalence demonstrates that, contrary to common belief, consent education is insufficient to change the harmful sexual culture on college campuses.

One promising practice shown to have some success is the role that bystanders play in prevention of sexual assault. Cornell developed its own bystander intervention program called Intervene, which was shown to increase the likelihood that students will intervene when friends need help. The video has been used by 61 other campuses in the U.S. as well as schools in Spain and Malaysia.

Recognizing that the college environment plays a critical role in the risks associated with sexual assault, Cornell has trained students who work together to create interventions that change the social environments in which they participate. Transforming unhealthy, risky social environments into safer, more fun environments establishes a lower tolerance for behaviors that may lead to unwanted, nonconsensual sexual contact. Rather than taking an individual approach, this community, “upstream” approach to prevention has demonstrated that students themselves can create innovative interventions that will reduce risk.

Our newest prevention focus is based on the SHIFT (Sexual Health Initiative to Foster Transformation) study described by Jennifer Hirsh and Shamus Khan in their 2020 book Sexual Citizens. Hirsch and Khan theorize that there is a social ecosystem that provides opportunity for assault on campuses. Evidence also suggests that early, comprehensive sex education can have positive effects on an individual’s well-being.

In response, Cornell is piloting new opportunities for students to engage in sexual decision-making and values clarification. Theoretically driven, these newer efforts will engage students to consider the messages they have received and how they compare to their own sexual values in order to become better “sexual citizens”. This focus on “positive sexuality” fosters open and honest communication, and that is fundamental to developing healthy relationships of all types, and creating a community of respect, acceptance and inclusion.

Cornell will continue to educate on consent, respect and healthy relationships. We will also continue to examine evidence-based strategies and take comprehensive public health approach to help reduce the number of incidents that occur due to this complex, challenging social issue.

What resources are available for individuals who have questions or concerns about sexual assault or related forms of misconduct?

Information about university policies and procedures, reporting options and resources are available, including: