Northwestern releases data report on sexual misconduct

Northwestern University has published its Sexual Misconduct Data Report for the past school year containing information on the number of sexual misconduct concerns and complaints reported, investigated and resolved.

The report, covering the period from September 1, 2015, to August 31, 2016, is available here. The data covers the number of sexual misconduct concerns reported to the Sexual Harassment Prevention Office and the Office of Student Conduct, the nature of those concerns and the disposition of those reports during the 2015-2016 academic year.

“I am pleased to share with the Northwestern community the University’s report of data on numbers and types of sexual misconduct reports received over the past year,” said Joan Slavin, director of Sexual Harassment Prevention and Title IX Coordinator at Northwestern.

“I hope readers will carefully read the text discussions that accompany each chart, as they provide helpful context and explanation,” Slavin added. “It is my hope that sharing the data will continue to raise awareness about how reports of sexual misconduct are handled at Northwestern and build trust in our complaint resolution process.”

The University is committed to fostering an environment in which all members of the Northwestern community can be safe, secure and free from sexual misconduct of any kind. Northwestern’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, dating and domestic violence, and sexual harassment.

The new data report states, “When an incident of alleged sexual misconduct is reported to the University, whether it is reported in person, by email, electronically, anonymously, or through another person, the Sexual Harassment Prevention Office reaches out to the potentially impacted person(s) to offer information and resources, including “You Have Options. Northwestern Can Help: Resource Guide on Sexual Misconduct and Title IX.”  One of the options that may be available to a person who may have experienced sexual misconduct is a University adjudication of whether a violation of the Policy on Sexual Misconduct occurred. Northwestern uses the Sexual Misconduct Complaint Resolution Process to investigate and resolve complaints of sexual misconduct.”

The data report also notes that “disciplinary action can be taken against any student, staff, or faculty member who is determined to have violated the policy. This complaint resolution process is separate and distinct from any law enforcement investigation.”

More information about the University’s efforts concerning sexual misconduct and prevention can be found here.