New Survey Reveals Surprising Number Of Sexual Misconduct Victims At Ohio University

Around 82 percent of Ohio University students responded to a survey conducted by school officials. This comes after reports of sexual misconduct against them within the campus.

The Presidential Advisory Committee on Sexual Misconduct at Ohio University recently conducted a voluntary survey to more than 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students studying at the school's Athens campus, NBC4 reported. Of all the students who received the survey, 1,350 students, or 6.9 percent responded.

Of those who responded, 82 percent report having experienced some form of sexual misconduct directed towards them. These misconducts ranged from a variety of behaviors, from inappropriate or sexually-charged comments to rape. Seventy-four percent of respondents reported to having been sexually harassed by other students.

"Sexual misconduct does occur on our campus," Sara Trower, executive director of Ohio University's Office for Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, said in a press release. "This is a serious problem, and we are committed to finding the best ways to solve this problem for our community."

Of the 280 graduate students who responded to the survey, 8.2 percent reported receiving unwanted sexual advances from both faculty and staff. Of the 169 students of color who responded, 9 percent indicated the same. On the other hand, of the 1,420 Caucasian students who responded, 6.4 percent reported receiving advances from staff and faculty.

Of the 1035 women who responded to the survey, 29 percent were sexually assaulted, with 13 percent indicating having been raped. Responses from 193 non-heterosexual students also indicated that they seem to experience more sexual misconducts compared to their peers.

The survey results indicate that 70 percent of sexual assaults happen off-campus, and that sexual misconduct often occur when victims are in vulnerable states - either under the influence of alcohol (79 percent), drugs (65 percent), or that the offenders are reportedly using alcohol or drugs, according to victims (61 percent).

Overall, survey respondents generally feel safe on campus, with 90 percent indicating having received relevant information regarding misconduct in the University.

Although university officials cannot consider the results as representative of the total student population, Ohio University president Roderick J. McDavis says the results provide important data that can be used in their efforts to make the campus a safer place.