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Title IX Website

Scorecards

TITLE IX WEBSITE SCORECARD PROJECT

The Title IX office website is often one of the first resources that survivors of sexual violence encounter when seeking support and resources from their university. However, Title IX offices are not always adequate in providing survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and healing resources because Title IX is primarily investigatory and reporting-centric in its approach. S+A members across several UC campuses reported challenges accessing resources and critical information on their university's Title IX website.

As Title IX websites are commonly a source of information for survivors, Survivors + Allies began the Title IX Website Scorecard Project to evaluate Title IX office websites at University of California (UC) campuses and provide feedback to UC Title IX offices about the quality of user experience on their website. The project was started in June 2023 and conducted through the Survivors + Allies Policy Fellowship awarded by the UCLA Center for the Study of Women.

This project uses four primary criteria for evaluating Title IX websites. These four criteria are: accessibility, inclusivity, ease of navigation, and trauma-informed approach. Each criteria is composed of a number of sub-criteria. All the criteria and sub-criteria can be found beneath the scorecards.

University of California (UC) Campus Scorecards

This scorecard is titled "UC Berkeley" in the top left corner. In the right top corner is a dial with red, orange, yellow, and green colors shown. The dial points up in the orange section and underneath it is "Overall: 76%." The bottom half of the image reads "Trauma-Informed" with a red bar next to it that reads "67%" on the right side; "Ease of Navigation" with an orange bar next to it that reads "75%" on the right side; "Inclusivity" with a green bar next to it that reads "86%" on the right side; and "Accessibility" with an orange bar next to it that reads "75%" on the right side.

This scorecard is titled "UC Los Angeles" in the top left corner. In the right top corner is a dial with red, orange, yellow, and green colors shown. The dial points to the left in the dark orange section and underneath it is "Overall: 61%." The bottom half of the image reads "Trauma-Informed" with a red bar next to it that reads "50%" on the right side; "Ease of Navigation" with a red bar next to it that reads "63%” on the right side; "Inclusivity" with a red bar next to it that reads "57%" on the right side; and "Accessibility" with an orange bar next to it that reads "75%” on the right side.

This scorecard is titled "UC San Diego" in the top left corner. In the right top corner is a dial with red, orange, yellow, and green colors shown. The dial points to the bottom left in the red section and underneath it is "Overall: 52%." The bottom half of the image reads "Trauma-Informed" with a dark red bar next to it that reads "33%" on the right side; "Ease of Navigation" with a red bar next to it that reads "50%" on the right side; "Inclusivity" with a red bar next to it that reads "57%" on the right side; and "Accessibility" with a red bar next to it that reads "67%” on the right side.

This scorecard is titled "UC Davis" in the top left corner. In the right top corner is a dial with red, orange, yellow, and green colors shown. The dial points to the bottom left in the red section and underneath it is "Overall: 50%." The bottom half of the image reads "Trauma-Informed" with a red bar next to it that reads "50%" on the right side; "Ease of Navigation" with a dark red bar next to it that reads "41%" on the right side; "Inclusivity" with a dark red bar next to it that reads "43%" on the right side; and "Accessibility" with a red bar next to it that reads "67%” on the right side.

This scorecard is titled "UC Merced" in the top left corner. In the right top corner is a dial with red, orange, yellow, and green colors shown. The dial points to the bottom left in the red section and underneath it is "Overall: 57%." The bottom half of the image reads "Trauma-Informed" with a dark red bar next to it that reads "33%" on the right side; "Ease of Navigation" with a red bar next to it that reads "63%" on the right side; "Inclusivity" with a red bar next to it that reads "57%" on the right side; and "Accessibility" with an orange bar next to it that reads "75%” on the right side.

This scorecard is titled "UC San Francisco" in the top left corner. In the right top corner is a dial with red, orange, yellow, and green colors shown. The dial points to the bottom left in the red section and underneath it is "Overall: 43%." The bottom half of the image reads "Trauma-Informed" with a dark red bar next to it that reads "17%" on the right side; "Ease of Navigation" with a dark red bar next to it that reads "31%" on the right side; "Inclusivity" with a red bar next to it that reads "57%" on the right side; and "Accessibility" with a red bar next to it that reads "67%” on the right side.

This scorecard is titled "UC Santa Cruz" in the top left corner. In the right top corner is a dial with red, orange, yellow, and green colors shown. The dial points to the up and left in the orange section and underneath it is "Overall: 69%." The bottom half of the image reads "Trauma-Informed" with a red bar next to it that reads "50%" on the right side; "Ease of Navigation" with a green bar next to it that reads "81%" on the right side; "Inclusivity" with an orange bar next to it that reads "71%" on the right side; and "Accessibility" with an orange bar next to it that reads "75%” on the right side.

This scorecard is titled "UC Irvine" in the top left corner. In the right top corner is a dial with red, orange, yellow, and green colors shown. The dial points to the bottom left in the red section and underneath it is "Overall: 55%." The bottom half of the image reads "Trauma-Informed" with a dark red bar next to it that reads "42%" on the right side; "Ease of Navigation" with a red bar next to it that reads "56%" on the right side; "Inclusivity" with a red bar next to it that reads "57%" on the right side; and "Accessibility" with a red bar next to it that reads "67%” on the right side.

This scorecard is titled "UC Riverside" in the top left corner. In the right top corner is a dial with red, orange, yellow, and green colors shown. The dial points to the bottom left in the red section and underneath it is "Overall: 56%." The bottom half of the image reads "Trauma-Informed" with a dark red bar next to it that reads "42%" on the right side; "Ease of Navigation" with a red bar next to it that reads "59%" on the right side; "Inclusivity" with a red bar next to it that reads "57%" on the right side; and "Accessibility" with a red bar next to it that reads "67%” on the right side.

This scorecard is titled "UC Santa Barbara" in the top left corner. In the right top corner is a dial with red, orange, yellow, and green colors shown. The dial points to the bottom left in the red section and underneath it is "Overall: 55%." The bottom half of the image reads "Trauma-Informed" with a dark red bar next to it that reads "46%" on the right side; "Ease of Navigation" with a red bar next to it that reads "66%" on the right side; "Inclusivity" with a dark red bar next to it that reads "43%" on the right side; and "Accessibility" with a red bar next to it that reads "67%” on the right side.

Accessibility (12)

On the main page and/or contact page of the website, it states how the office provides accommodations for equitable access to services and trainings.
Includes how to request accommodations and contact information.
Page information is viewable in different viewports, such as on mobile or web browsers.
Position and presentation of major elements (ex. headings) are readable and legible in the space.
Fonts are easy-to-read and greater than font size 12 (16 preferred).
Uses Alt Text on images and captions on videos (if applicable).
When linking to other sites, it uses descriptive text to make clear where the link goes.
Color contrast between foreground/background is great enough to allow users to view content.
Website is accessible on a screen-reader.
Attached documents are screen-reader accessible, meaning documents have been converted into an accessible PDF.
Content is accessible using only a keyboard: sentences or titles start with important and/or intuitive words or phrases that make it easier to search on a keyboard alphabetically or skip. (Ex. “Contact Us” instead of “you can contact us.”)
Uses the headings functions in sequential order and does not skip heading numbers.

Inclusivity (7)

The language on the website is easy to understand and universally understood. Although legalistic or jargon-y language can be included, it is for educational and/or legal purposes and is accompanied with an explanation in simple terms.
Acronyms used on a page are spelled out at least once on that page.
Primarily uses they/them/their pronouns instead of he/him/his or she/her/hers pronouns when discussing people in general or a collective group of people.
Lists pronouns of any staff, students, or people featured on the website.
Specific resources for underserved student identities that may better support students are included (e.g. LGBTQ+ students, Indigenous students, etc.).
Staff pages expand on each member’s previous experience and background.
The website includes translated versions of attached campus specific policy documents that are clearly marked and can be found near original documents.

Ease of Navigation (16)

Navigation across the pages of the website are consistent in naming, styling, and positioning.
Multiple methods of website navigation are available, such as a site search and site map.
Efficiently uses content menus and collapsable sections to make it easier to find specific links/resources without being overwhelmed by long lists.
Navigating the site is easy to understand; users are able to find info quickly and easily.
Limited use of formal/legal documents in lieu of explaining actual policy.
Comprehensive information that is written clearly:
- Information on Title IX including what the office does
- Who is covered under Title IX
- Clearly written SVSH policy (not in separate linked PDF)
- Reporting options
- CARE advocates and support persons
- Confidentiality
- Resources available on- and off-campus including which are confidential and which are 24/7
- Materials from trainings
Includes quick reference guides that can be used by the campus community, and comprehensive information is covered in easy-to-share formats.
Working links that direct to the correct resources.
Limited use of links to PDFs which do not have quick escape options or easy navigation.

Trauma-Informed Approach (12)

Links to and lists CARE office as the primary/first campus point-of-contact for people who have experienced SVSH.
Encourages connecting with CARE prior to making a formal complaint.
CARE or alternative off campus center's 24/7 crisis number is prominent and listed as 24/7 urgent confidential support.
Includes a “leave site quickly” button to help a user move away from sensitive information to a commonly-used website, such as the campus homepage or the Google homepage.
The “leave site quickly” button remains on screen as the user scrolls down.
The "leave site quickly" button is clearly visible with a contrasted and/or bright color.
The website emphasizes the survivor’s right to choose whether or not and how to report.
Does not include language that either deters survivors from reporting or pressures survivors to report.
Includes content warnings that clearly labels links to videos or content that depicts graphic descriptions of sexual violence and sexual harrasment (for example, "content warning: sexual assault”).
Specific warnings that might impact students of specific backgrounds are given before the reading of content (for example, if the Title IX website features a discussion about sexual assault rates being higher for black students).
Does not use the term “victim” or other language that is not survivor-centered.
Clearly states how to access alternative trainings for survivors.

Resources, agencies, and organizations consulted and reviewed during development include the UC Berkeley Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH) Core Team, the UC Berkeley Coordinated Community Review Team (CCRT), Forbes, UC Berkeley Path To Care, UC Davis CARE, UCLA CARE, and UC Santa Barbara CARE.

The percentage next to each criteria was calculated by taking the number of sub-criteria a Title IX website fulfilled of a given criteria divided by the total number of sub-criteria per criteria. The overall percentage assigned to each university was calculated by taking the percentage of all four criteria and averaging them.

The scores were determined as of Summer 2024. Each Title IX website will be reviewed during the summer of 2025, and scorecards will be updated to reflect changes to the website.

Would you like to see your campus here? Contact Emma Tolliver at etolli@uw.edu to discuss developing a scorecard for your university.

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