Evaluating University Investigations of Alleged Sexual Misconduct

• In Event: Programs and Policies Regarding Sexual Assault on College Campuses

Abstract

Sexual assault is a pervasive problem for college students. In recent years, attention has turned to campus responses to student sexual misconduct. There are few systematic studies of campus sexual misconduct investigation and adjudication processes, resulting in a dearth of information from which to develop best practice recommendations. To help fill this gap, the current study aims to increase understanding of campus sexual misconduct investigations through the analysis of case reports and interviews with trained investigators and university police. Sexual misconduct investigative reports will be quantitatively analyzed to identify important variables for future studies of sexual misconduct investigations and significant relations between case variables, process variables, and adjudicative outcomes. Qualitative analysis of the interviews with investigators will guide the development of a process model of the sexual misconduct investigation process. Findings from these analyses will assist in the identification of promising sexual misconduct investigation practices.

Authors

• Christopher T. Allen, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Rebecca J. Stone, University of Massachusetts Lowell