Campus Climate and Sexual Violence Experiences of Students Attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The purpose of the proposed study is to explore sexual violence and interpersonal violence (IPV) experiences and campus climate at HBCUs using a validated campus climate survey. The proposed research will use the methods delineated in a 2019 manual on conducting these surveys at HBCUs, which was the result of a previously NIJ-funded project that modified the Campus Climate Survey produced by the BJS based on input from students, faculty, and staff at Clark Atlanta University (CAU). The campus climate survey will be administered at three HBCUs: CAU in Atlanta, GA; JC Smith University (JCSU) in Charlotte, NC; and Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) in Itta Bena, MS. The funding will allow for survey implementation and data analysis to develop a toolkit that can be distributed to other HBCUs.

Project aims are: 1) identify the prevalence of and risk factors for SV and IPV at three HBCUs, 2) determine how individuals who have and have not experienced SV or IPV perceive their institutional response to SV and IPV, their awareness of the available resources for these individuals; and their willingness to intervene when witnessing these events, and 3) disseminate information on best practices for adapting and administrating Campus Climate Surveys at HBCUs.

This project is uniquely situated to provide empirically based, culturally responsive information to guide prevention and intervention efforts at HBCUs. This research has potential implications for HBCUs regarding policy, training, programming, and responses to SV and IPV for survivors and the broader student population.

Several products will be developed and disseminated. First, a report for each participating HBCU will be drafted and published, with recommendations on how they can address SV on their respective campuses. Second, a toolkit will be developed as a resource for non-participating HBCUs. Third, the applicant will host a virtual conference to release findings and the toolkit for the 101 HBCUs in the United States. Fourth, the results will be published in scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and presented at various interdisciplinary conferences. Finally, study data will be archived at NACJD. CA/NCF