Survey Reports 16% of Students Experienced Sexual Misconduct

A spring 2022 survey of students found that 16% of respondents have experienced sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, or an abusive intimate relationship) at Princeton, the same as in 2017, the last time the University’s We Speak survey collected data. The number of survey participants fell by about 20% since the last iteration, with 2,585 undergraduate and graduate students taking part this time.

Results show 18% of heterosexual women and 28% of individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ reported experiencing sexual misconduct; only 6% of heterosexual males reported the same. Men were also 3.8 times less likely to experience sexual harassment than other students.

Princeton will use the data to craft campus programming, communications strategies, and trainings and professional development opportunities, according to a Dec. 7 email to the campus community from W. Rochelle Calhoun, vice president for campus life, and Michele Minter, vice provost for institutional equity and diversity.

Since the last survey, the University “significantly” modified its sexual misconduct policies, according to the report, including the addition of an alternate resolution process in which parties can resolve allegations without a formal investigation.

The full report can be found at sexualmisconduct.princeton.edu/reports.