March 16, 2016—Harvard University’s Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force released its final report on March 8, 2016. The report’s key recommendations include improving sexual assault prevention education and training for students, and creating a new leadership position to oversee and coordinate all prevention efforts across the University.
The task force was convened in 2014 by President Drew Faust to study the scope of occurrences of sexual assault and harassment at Harvard, and to suggest ways to improve prevention efforts. Membership included faculty, students, and staff from across the University.
Last spring, students across Harvard and 26 other universities participated in an online survey conducted by the Association of American Universities about their experiences with sexual assault and harassment. The survey results were released in the fall.
In a September 2015 email to the community, Acting Dean David Hunter reported that 491 Harvard Chan students completed the survey. While the number of sexual assaults reported by students at the School was very low, he wrote that even one such occurrence was unacceptable. He also wrote that it was “troubling” that few of the Harvard Chan students surveyed were aware of how to report sexual assault or misconduct, and that only 58% believed campus officials would take a report seriously.
A Town Hall meeting was held at Harvard Chan School in October to discuss the findings of the survey, as well as ways to improve efforts to inform and educate members of the community about what to do if they are assaulted.
In a February 2016 email to the community, Hunter announced the formation of a working Advisory Committee on Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention at the School, chaired by Stacey Herman, associate dean for student services. Efforts underway include expanding sexual assault and harassment prevention training programs for students, faculty, academic appointees, and staff, and developing a sustainable communications plan around issues of preventing sexual misconduct and helping victims of sexual misconduct.
Learn more about the School’s sexual harassment policy and how to report incidents of sexual assault and misconduct: Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Education
Read Harvard Gazette coverage: Assault Prevention Task Force recommendations