The evolving landscape of Title IX: Predicting mandatory reporters’ responses to sexual assault disclosures.

Abstract

Approximately 1 in 4 women is sexually assaulted in college, a problem that federal law has attempted to address with recent changes. Under the evolving landscape of Title IX, and related law, universities nationwide have overhauled their sexual assault policies, procedures, and resources. Many of the new policies designate undergraduate resident assistants (RAs) as Responsible Employees-requiring them to provide assistance and report to the university if a fellow student discloses sexual assault. We investigated factors that predict the likelihood of RAs enacting their policy mandate, that is, reporting sexual assault disclosures to university authorities and referring survivors to sexual assault resources. Based on data from 305 Responsible Employee RAs, we found that likelihood to report and refer varied, depending on RAs' knowledge of reporting procedures and resources, trust in these supports, and perceptions of mandatory reporting policy. Understanding mandatory reporter behavior is crucial, because help-providers' responses can have serious implications for the recovery of sexual assault survivors. Our findings elucidate some effects of changes in the interpretation and implementation of Title IX, with potential to inform the development of more theoretically and empirically informed policies. (PsycINFO Database Record

Law, campus policy, social movements, and sexual violence: Where do we stand in the #MeToomovement?

“…Schools have widely adopted mandatory reporting policies. Both Title IX and Clery guidance have led to what we now call mandatory reporters, university employees who must report sexual violence to the Title IX office or campus police (Holland & Cortina, ; Kiss, ; U.S. Department of Education, ) (see Table ). Schools have interpreted Title IX and Clery guidance broadly however, often defining all staff and faculty as mandatory reporters, with the exception of victim advocates, counselors, and health service staff (Eigenberg & Belknap, ; Savino, ).…”

“…Students also report multiple difficulties navigating the adjudication process, including intensified mental health challenges (Khan et al, ). Moreover, schools' broad definition of mandatory reporters, which often includes student Resident Assistants, serves to manage their own legal risk (Edelman, ; Holland & Cortina, ; Savino, ). Critics argue that this policy “discourages many survivors from reporting” (Cantalupo, ) and negates a survivor's choice to maintain confidentiality (Eigenberg & Belknap, ).…”

“…Schools employ compliance professionals to implement the law and oversee compliance; these include Title IX coordinators and Clery professionals(Edelman, 2016;OCR, 2015; U.S. Department of Education, 2016).Schools have widely adopted mandatory reporting policies. Both Title IX and Clery guidance have led to what we now call mandatory reporters, university employees who must report sexual violence to the Title IX office or campus police(Holland & Cortina, 2017b;Kiss, 2013; U.S. Department of Education, 2016) (see…”

Public health nursing and the issue of trust in campus sexual assault

“…Under this legislation, several different acts fall under the category of sexual violence including sexual assault, rape, and sexual coercion or battery (Ali, 2011 Employees should inform the survivor of sexual assault of the duty to report, explain confidentiality, and provide information about available resources on and off campus. This includes advocacy, housing and academic assistance, and health services (Holland & Cortina, 2017b). While Title IX was meant to support and protect survivors of sexual assault, it has not been without controversy.…”

Examining Responsible Employees’ Perceptions of Sexual Assault Reporting Requirements Under Federal and Institutional Policy

“…Negative perceptions of university reporting policies could affect the way that RAs respond to students in distress. For example, RAs who hold negative perceptions of their reporting responsibilities for alcohol use, mental health issues, or sexual assault may be less likely to refer students to resources (Holland & Cortina, 2017a;Reingle et al, 2010;Thombs et al, 2014). Help-providers' responses to disclosures can have a profound impact on survivors' well-being (Ahrens, Stansell, & Jennings, 2010;Campbell, 2008).…”