This past spring, the University was one of 10 colleges and universities that participated in a survey about sexual misconduct on campus. This is the third time Penn has participated in the survey: It did so first in 2015, and again in 2019 when a very similar instrument was administered by the American Association of Universities. The goal of the Higher Education Sexual Misconduct Awareness (HESMA) survey is to learn from undergraduate, graduate, and professional students about sexual misconduct on campus, to assess education and prevention strategies, measure student perceptions surrounding sexual assault and other misconduct, and gather information to help guide further efforts.
The confidential survey was administered by Westat, a social science research firm, to 24,316 enrolled Penn students between March 19 and April 16. Penn had a response rate of 30.3%, down from 42.8% participation in 2019 but more robust than many other participating schools. The response rate among all institutions that participated this year was 23.4%.
Since entering college, 16.7% of female-identifying undergraduate students reported sexual contact involving physical force or inability to consent or stop what was happening. This is a decrease from 26% in 2019. Among female-identifying graduate and professional students, the rate dropped from 7.4% in 2019 to 5.3% in 2024.
Among people who identify as male, 6.1% of undergraduates at Penn reported sexual contact involving physical force or inability to consent or stop what was happening since entering college, a decrease from 7.3% in 2019. The rate for graduate and professional students who identify as male declined from 2.7% in 2019 to 1.5% in 2024.
And among undergraduates who identify as gender non-conforming, transgender, queer, or self-identified (GNTQSI), 17.1% reported sexual contact involving physical force or inability to consent or stop what was happening since entering college, a decrease from 21.5% in 2019. The rate for graduate and professional students who identify as GNTQSI fell from 21.5% in 2019 to 7.3% in 2024.
Results also detail the experiences of people who identify as having a disability. Additional questions addressed topics related to perceptions, knowledge, and climate on campus. Participating students were asked about perceptions of sexual misconduct on campus, awareness of resources and reporting methods, and confidence in investigations by campus officials, among other subjects. Full results can be accessed through the Institutional Research & Analysis website.
“We note that prevalence rates have declined since 2019,” Interim President J. Larry Jameson and Provost John L. Jackson Jr. wrote in a University-wide message about the survey. “However, we are deeply disturbed by the fact that high rates of sexual misconduct continue. Even one instance is too many. Sexual harassment and violence cross all lines of identity, ability, and background and disproportionately affect the marginalized and vulnerable among us.”
Since the results of the last survey, Penn has added new full-time staff to the following offices: Penn Violence Prevention (PVP), Restorative Practices @ Penn, and Special Services, and Office of the Associate VP for Equity and Title IX Officer. PVP established a 20-person Student Advisory Board, consisting of undergraduate and graduate and professional students. The mandatory Thrive at Penn module for incoming first-year students, organized by PVP, was revised in 2023 based on student feedback.
The Let’s Talk Program was also enacted, which offers free drop-in conversations with trained professionals at various sites around campus, ranging from Van Pelt-Dietrich Library to Houston Hall.
“Penn will remain committed to addressing these issues through the array of resources within our community of students, faculty, and staff who are here to offer support,” says Karu Kozuma, vice provost for University Life.
Joann Mitchell, senior vice president for institutional affairs and chief diversity officer, expressed gratitude for the students whose responses to the survey will help guide Penn’s ongoing efforts to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct. She further expressed appreciation for support staff who work in this area.
President Jameson and Provost Jackson encouraged members of the Penn community to read the full results of the survey, learn more about the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy (last updated in 2022), and be aware of the confidential resources available on campus:
African-American Resource Center (resource for students, staff or faculty)
Office of the Chaplain (resource for students, staff, faculty or visitors)
Employee Assistance Program (resource for staff or faculty)
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center (resource for students, staff or faculty)
Office of the Ombuds (resource for students, staff or faculty)
Penn Violence Prevention (resource for students)
Penn Women’s Center (resource for students, staff or faculty)
Special Services Department, Division of Public Safety (resource for students, staff, faculty or visitors)
Student Health and Counseling, including its Sexual Trauma Treatment Outreach and Prevention team also known as STTOP (resource for students)
Wellness at Penn (resource for students)
“Sexual misconduct is utterly unacceptable. We must and we will redouble our efforts and commitment toward prevention, awareness, and education,” added President Jameson and Provost Jackson. “We are collectively responsible for one another and for building the campus environment we all want: one where every individual can learn and thrive free from violence or fear.”
If there’s any doubt about where to turn for help, Penn’s HELP Line is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, at 215-898-HELP (215-898-4357).
