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Research & Publications

Below are reports, research article publications, and research articles under review for publication, using data from our 2021 Survivor + Allies UC-wide Study.

From Surviving to Healing: Results and Demands from a Study with Survivors of Sexual Violence on University of California Campuses

Survivors + Allies is a student organization that advocates for, and with, survivors of sexual violence across the UC campuses. The report “From Surviving to Healing: Results and Demands from a Study with Survivors of Sexual Violence on University of California Campuses” was born out of a collective frustration at the UC system’s reticence to make basic changes that would better support student survivors.

Their study findings empirically demonstrate what many survivors already know: resources at the UCs for survivors of sexual violence are inadequate, underfunded, and focused on punishing perpetrators while neglecting to provide adequate healing options for survivors. Marginalized students, including international, students of color, and LGBTQIA+ students, are left behind. Mental health resources are undermined in favor of investigative processes.

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Image of the cover of Survivor and Allies' Report. It shows different animated faces facing different directions with frowns. Some are wearing colorful t-shirts that are blue, yellow, orange, or pink. The title sits near the top of the image stating, "From Surviving to Healing: Results and Demands from a Study with Survivors of Sexual Violence on University of California Campuses"

Image of a document that is titled "FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SURVIVORS + ALLIES' 2021 SURVEY OF THE UC COMMUNITY." The first half of the document reads "In 2020, the student-led collective Survivors + Allies (S+A) began a research project surveying students across UC campuses to evaluate students’ awareness, utilization, and evaluation of on- and off-campus resources for survivors of sexual violence and sexual harassment (SVSH), including Title IX, Campus Assault Resources & Education (CARE), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and UC Police Departments (UCPD). The resulting sample consisted of: 1,223 total students (52% undergraduate and 48% graduate); 62% cisgender women, 21% cisgender men, 2% transgender people, 18% nonbinary and people of other gender identities; 42% of students identified as LGBQA+; 59% as students of color; 17% as international students; 41% identified as survivors of SVSH." The second half of the document reads "Key Finding 1: Students' Overall Awareness of Resources is Low. Students lack awareness of the two key resources for survivor healing: CARE and CAPS. Only 68% had heard of CARE, 80% had heard of CAPS. These numbers are much lower for international students. A high percentage of students don’t know that international (32% don’t know) and undocumented students (38% don’t know) are covered by Title IX. 36% of students believed that Title IX is confidential, although it is not; any appointment with a Title IX employee to discuss a student’s situation could result in an investigation. Asian and Latinx students are 40% less likely to know what the Title IX office does when compared to White students." A graph on the bottom right part of the document is titled "Have you heard of the following resources?" and shows statistics for CARE and CAPS in blue, which is the answer Yes, and in yellow, which is the answer No. The statistics for CARE show Yes as 68% and No as 49%. The statistics for CAPS show Yes as 80% and No as 66%.

Findings and Recommendations from the Survivors + Allies' 2021 Survey of the UC Community

In 2020, the student-led collective Survivors + Allies (S+A) began a research project surveying students across UC campuses to evaluate students’ awareness, utilization, and evaluation of on- and off-campus resources for survivors of sexual violence and sexual harassment (SVSH), including Title IX, Campus Assault Resources & Education (CARE), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and UC Police Departments (UCPD). This brief summarizes our main findings.

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Student Knowledge of University Confidential Resources and Title IX Training Effectiveness

Abstract: Though many universities offer resources to student survivors of sexual violence, stu- dent survivors who do not know about these resources cannot utilize their services. Students who are unaware of the confidentiality status of these services may seek assistance from an on-campus service without realizing the potential consequences. Under the theory of institutional betrayal, knowledge of confidential resources may prevent experiences of institutional betrayal for students who have experienced sex- ual violence. This research examines predictors of student knowledge regarding the confidentiality status of university resources for student survivors. Several variables were found to be associated with student knowledge of confidential on-campus resources. Implications for Title IX training and student resource availability are dis- cussed, including the need for additional support for specific student populations.

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Research article titled "Student Knowledge of University Confidential Resources and Title IX Training Effectiveness" and the following authors listed: Stephanie C Kathan, Jianchao Lai, Sara Wilf, and Marisa Imbroane. Below the authors is the abstract which reads "Though many universities offer resources to student survivors of sexual violence, student survivors who do not know about these resources cannot utilize their services. Students who are unaware of the confidentiality status of these services may seek assistance from an on-campus service without realizing the potential consequences. Under the theory of institutional betrayal, knowledge of confidential resources may prevent experiences of institutional betrayal for students who have experienced sexual violence. This research examines predictors of student knowledge regarding the confidentiality status of university resources for student survivors. Several variables were found to be associated with student knowledge of confidential on-campus resources. Implications for Title IX training and student resource availability are discussed, including the need for additional support for specific student populations."

Exploring Student Perceptions of Campus Resources: a Quantitative Study on Knowledge and Trust in Title IX and On-Campus Sexual Violence Resources (Under Review)

Abstract: Sexual violence and sexual harassment (SVSH) are pervasive issues on university campuses in the United States, with health and academic consequences that may last far beyond graduation. This study addresses the scarcity of research on the experiences of minority students with Title IX reporting processes and support services for SVSH survivors in higher education. Using data from a survey (N=1218) developed by Survivors and Allies (S+A), a University of California (UC) student-led organization, the study revealed disparities in knowledge and trust towards Title IX offices and reporting processes and other on-campus SVSH-related services across student groups. International students and heterosexual Asian and Hispanic students showed a lower understanding of Title IX reporting processes. Graduate students, particularly those pursuing Ph.D. degrees, exhibited higher knowledge levels on Title IX reporting processes and knowledge levels on Title IX reporting processes compared to undergraduates. Ph.D. and professional students also showed lower trust in Title IX reporting processes than undergraduate students, while survivors expressed reduced trust levels compared to non-survivors. The impact of race, gender, sexuality, and international student status on trust varies across types of on-campus services. These findings underscored the need for targeted interventions to ensure a more inclusive and effective response to campus sexual violence.

Understanding Student Perspectives of Title IX: Results from the Survivors and Allies' Survey (Under Review)

Abstract: To advocate for survivors and inform University of California (UC) campuses, Survivors + Allies conducted a survey that evaluates student perspectives regarding their experiences with sexual violence and sexual harassment (SVSH) resources on campus. The data collected by Survivors + Allies explores student experiences with Title IX based on their demographic characteristics, which is lacking in most studies of this nature. The survey was conducted from May to November of 2021 with a sample of 1,384 participants from all 10 UC campuses. Student respondents provided information ranging from experiences with Title IX training, knowledge of the Title IX Office, knowledge of on-campus resources, trust and comfort in campus-based resources, and the chosen methods of disclosure made by survivors. The study aims to collect information surrounding student experiences and knowledge of SVSH resources on UC campuses, allowing for the implementation of more supportive and holistic campus resources for students healing from SVSH. Resolutions for the UC system are discussed through policy recommendations and future directions for research.

“The police only served to traumatize me further”: University Survivors’ Perceptions of Helpful and Unhelpful Resources (In Progress)

Abstract: This study seeks to understand undergraduate and graduate student survivors of sexual violences’ perceptions of the most and least helpful healing resources related to their experience of sexual violence. The sample included 1,384 students from all 10 UCs, 41 percent of whom identified as survivors. Reflexive Thematic Analysis is being conducted using four open-ended responses from 388 students. The four questions asked survivors which organizations or people were most and least helpful for them. The manuscript is in progress and we anticipate submitting it for review at a peer-reviewed journal by the end of the summer 2024.

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