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FAQ: 2021 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 NYS colleges and universities to conduct a campus climate survey no less than every two years. Administration of the 2021 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 2021 a statistically representative sample of 6,000 students from our Ithaca, Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell Tech campuses received email invitations to participate in the survey.

  • 2,303 students completed the survey for an overall response rate of 38%, matching the response rates from the 2019 and 2017 survey.
  • 1,345 undergraduate students and 958 graduate/professional students responded to the survey.

Are the 2021 survey results representative of the full Cornell community?

Survey invitations were sent to a randomly selected sample of 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.

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 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 2021 data differ from that of 2017 and 2019?

The overall prevalence of nonconsensual sexual contact among Cornell students has declined slightly from 13% in 2019 to 11% in 2021, a statistically significant difference. For example, compared to the 2019 survey results, the 2021 survey indicates that rates of nonconsensual sexual contact due to force or incapacitation have significantly decreased among undergraduate women, particularly among first-year students. As has been seen in previous survey results, the 2021 survey indicates that students identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, pansexual, queer, or questioning (hereafter LGBAQ) still experienced higher rates of nonconsensual sexual contact, as did students with disabilities, and those who are or have been in partnered relationships.

The 2021 prevalence rates of nonconsensual sexual contact since entering Cornell are lowest among first year and sophomore women (7% and 20% respectively); compared to 2019 results, the results for first-years have declined considerably from 17% in 2019 to 7% in 2021 (a statistically significant difference).

How has the COVID pandemic impacted the survey results?

The patterns of prevalence among undergraduate women disaggregated by class year have fluctuated over the three surveys conducted thus far. In particular, it is difficult to determine to what extent measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic on campus shaped the across-the-board decline in prevalence reported in 2021, as opposed to other environmental or contextual factors that could have also contributed to this drop off. While speculative, given that most courses were held remotely during the 2020-2021 academic year, that students were cautioned about socializing in person and being in close contact with others to reduce COVID transmission, and that many activities were halted or shifted to remote-only, these factors may have contributed to the decrease in incidents of unwanted sexual contact.

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 2021 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 2021 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 2021 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 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 is currently being 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 student groups 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 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 wellbeing.

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” before they are harmed or harm someone else. 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 an environmental comprehensive 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: