Sexual Harassment Climate Survey: 2024

In April 2024, the Title IX Office is distributing a Sexual Harassment Climate Survey. This survey is intended to assess experiences and perceptions of sexual harassment among our community and to gain a better understanding of how students respond to incidents when they occur. We encourage all those who receive the survey to take part and make their voice heard!

Why does GW need this information? 

It is important for the university to understand students’ experiences and attitudes about the campus climate with respect to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking. Learning about these experiences and attitudes helps us learn how we can better prevent and respond to these issues.  

What improvements have been made in response to past surveys?

Since the last survey, the Title IX Office has made the following changes in our services:

• Increased our capacity to prevent and respond to sexual harassment by adding several new staff positions to the Title IX Office, including Response Coordinators dedicated to providing ongoing supportive measures and cultivating relationships with students;
• Expanded prevention activities to include a now two-part mandatory orientation program for incoming undergraduates, mandatory training for student employees, redesigned our faculty/staff training program, created a semester-by-semester prevention calendar and began an online presence on Instagram at @gwtitleix;
• Published an Annual Report to increase awareness and understanding of the Title IX process, resources that are available to the GW community, prevention efforts, and the ongoing work of the Title IX Office;
• Partnered with the Office of Advocacy and Support to launch the Sexual Assault and Intimate Violence (SAIV) Helpline, a 24/7 confidential helpline for members of the GW community.

What do I get for participating? 

After completing the survey, you will have the option to enter a raffle for a $50, $100, or $150 Whole Foods gift card.

When is the survey being administered? How long will it be available?

The survey will be distributed on April 2nd, and available until April 17th. Several reminders will be sent out before the survey closes.

How do I take the Sexual Harassment Climate Survey?

The Sexual Harassment Climate Survey has been distributed to a randomly selected group of undergraduate and graduate students.  Not every student will be emailed the survey. If you are selected, you will receive an email notifying you on April 2nd, 2024.

Will all students receive an invitation to complete the survey?

No, the survey will be distributed through the Office of Survey Research and Analysis to a randomly selected group of undergraduate and graduate students. Students selected received an email notifying them on April 2nd, 2024. If you did not receive a survey invitation and want to share your experience or feedback, you are encouraged to reach out to the Title IX Office anytime. You can email [email protected] or use our anonymous feedback form on Google Forms.

How long will the survey take to complete?

The survey contains approximately 50 questions in varying formats. It generally takes about 15-20 minutes to complete, depending on low long you spend considering your answer to each question.

Can I take the survey on a mobile device?

Yes, the survey is formatted for desktop or mobile.

Do I have to answer every question?

You may choose to answer as many or as few questions as you feel comfortable. While we hope that students are able to complete the entire survey, we know that may not be possible for everyone.

What if I'm concerned about triggers or certain content present in the survey?

Because the Campus Climate Survey is aimed at understanding students’ experiences and and attitudes towards sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, these topics will be discussed in the survey content. We recommend completing the survey in a quiet, private place, and taking breaks if needed.  You will also have the option of skipping questions or skipping entire sections if you do not feel comfortable answering them.

How can I be sure that my answers are anonymous and deidentified? 

All survey responses are submitted anonymously, and not linked to any individual or device. Results from individual survey responses are kept confidential. Students who complete the survey will have the opportunity to fill in a Google Form to enter a drawing for a Whole Foods gift card. This form will NOT be linked to survey responses in any way.