Below are links to the results from the 2019 survey on sexual assault and misconduct. Language in the survey is explicit and may cause discomfort to those who have experienced sexual assault or harassment.

UF releases results of 2019 sexual assault and misconduct survey

Results from a campus-wide survey of students regarding sexual assault and misconduct at the University of Florida identify the extent of nonconsensual sexual conduct, harassment and violence, an increase of awareness of resources for help on campus, and communities at most risk.

The survey was conducted at 33 universities across the country in a partnership with the Association of American Universities as a follow up to a 2015 survey. The respondents include undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

UF’s findings generally mirror student responses from the other universities that participated in the study.

In spring 2019, UF sent the survey to students who were 18 years old and older and received a total of 6,561 responses. When the survey was conducted in 2015, UF sent the survey to 12,000 students and received 1,997 responses.

Key findings from the 2019 survey include:

30.1% of undergraduate women and 7.7% of undergraduate men experienced nonconsensual sexual contact by force or inability to consent. The rate increased for undergraduate women by 9.8% since the 2015 survey.

19% of graduate women and 3.9% of graduate men experienced nonconsensual sexual conduct by force or inability to consent. The rate for graduate women increased 6.6% since the 2015 survey.

14.8% of transgender, nonbinary or genderqueer undergraduate and graduate students experienced nonconsensual sexual contact by force or inability to consent.

Almost half of UF students (45%) experienced at least one type of harassment.

Students who report identifying with a disability, and non-heterosexual students were nearly twice as likely to experience nonconsensual sexual contact.

Student awareness of campus resources increased from 2015-2019

Title IX office (14.6% to 44.9%)



UFPD Office of Victim Services (30.7% to 60.6%)



U Matter, We Care (53.4% to 73.3%)

Over 81% of UF students reported that information about sexual assault and sexual misconduct was in the university’s initial orientation, up from nearly 50% in 2015. Additionally, awareness of sexual assault definitions among UF students increased by 10.7% from 2015 to 2019. Nearly two-thirds of UF students believe that a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct would be taken seriously by campus officials.

“The survey results solidify that a culture change needs to be made,” said Heather White, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. “I’m hopeful new initiatives currently underway such as the Green Dot Gators will give our campus community the tools needed to prevent interpersonal violence and sexual assaults.”

UF Prevention and Education Efforts

The University of Florida takes a multi-level approach to address sexual violence and alcohol abuse, providing resources and education for students, faculty and staff.

Since before the 2015 AAU Campus Climate survey, UF has provided an interactive, online training course that is mandatory for all new students (undergraduate and graduate) who go through the orientation process. Sexual Assault Prevention + AlcoholEdu by EverFi, formerly known as Campus Clarity, was redesigned in 2019. The goal of the training module is to help students make healthy decisions and promote a positive and safe culture on and off campus. The training explores and addresses the interconnection between drug and alcohol use and abuse, decision-making, and sexual violence.

There are additional training sessions for student leaders in fraternity and sorority life, student-athletes, and other registered student organizations.

In recent years, UF has invested more into health education and the linkage between alcohol abuse and sexual violence. By hiring more staff in GatorWell Health Promotion Services, we are hoping to increase outreach and educational opportunities for students. GatorWell and STRIVE (Sexual Trauma Interpersonal Violence Education) peer education group provide programs, presentations and educational campaigns on topics of alcohol and sexual violence directly to students.

Additional education resources for students include:

Student Legal Services hosts presentations on understanding the law as it relates to sexual assault.

o University of Florida Police Department’s R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense Program) training classes.

Office of Victim Services provide presentations on relationship violence, stalking, and sexual violence.

Human Resources provides an online training program, Maintaining a Safe and Respectful Campus. Every employee of the university (faculty; TEAMS/USPS; and all OPS)—that is, anyone who receives a paycheck from the University of Florida—is expected to complete this training. New hires are expected to meet this training requirement within the first 30 days of employment.

In the last year, GatorWell and the Office of Title IX have launched a new “We Support” campaign, encouraging students to report sexual violence. In spring 2019, the U Matter We Care initiative launched a new website, expanding the resources for students and making it easier for students to find support. The new Care Hub website allows students to quickly search for resources by issue or department.

UF is currently in the early stages of launching the Green Dot Gators program, a strategy for violence prevention. The program targets all campus community members as potential allies and bystanders by engaging them in prevention through awareness, education and skills practice. The goal of Green Dot is to establish that intolerance of violence is the norm.

CARE RESOURCES AND REPORTING

Confidential

UF Office of Victim Services (OVS) - UF Office of Victim Services provides access to a victim advocate to answer questions, provide emotional support, accompany and support victims through all stages of the criminal justice process, and provide referrals.

- UF Office of Victim Services provides access to a victim advocate to answer questions, provide emotional support, accompany and support victims through all stages of the criminal justice process, and provide referrals. You do NOT have to make a police report to access this resource.



Website: http://www.police.ufl.edu/victim-services/





Location: 1515 Museum Road, P.O. Box 112150 Gainesville, FL 32611-2150





Phone #: 352-392-5648 (Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm)





Phone #: 352-392-1111 (after business hours and on weekends)





Email: ovs@mail.ufl.edu

UF Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC)

Website: http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/



Location: 3190 Radio Road, PO Box 112662 Gainesville, FL 32611-2662



Phone: 352-392-1575

Alachua County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center

Website: https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/CSS/VictimServices/Pages/VictimServices.aspx



Phone: 352-264-6760



Location: 218 SE 24th St, Gainesville, FL 32641



Non-Confidential