The incidence and impact of sexual harassment on college campuses have been extensively studied. Results indicate that sexual harassment is a pervasive problem throughout the country, primarily affecting women students. The impact on victims is often devastating, involving serious emotional, physical, and academic consequences.

In this section, we will summarize incidence statistics and research on the ways in which victims are impacted.
 

Incidence Statistics

•  Conservative estimates are that 20 - 30 % of women students currently enrolled experience sexual harassment during their collegiate careers. This translates into a whopping 1.4 - 2.1 million victims.

 
• When one includes all women who have graduated from college or dropped out for some reason, the total number of previous victims easily exceeds 10 million.
 
• Incidence rates tend to be higher for (a) women graduate students, (b) women students of color, and (c) women students with disabilities.
 
• The more serious forms of sexual harassment by professors (instances of sexual bribery, propositions, and coercion) occur less frequently than unwanted, sexually suggestive and/or seductive behaviors.
 
• Incidence rates of sexual harassment vary widely from one institution to another. Among the highest published rates at US universities are :
 
• 76 % of all women students reported being harassed,
• 15 % of all women graduate students and 9 % of all undergraduates reported receiving direct propositions from faculty members,
• 5 % of all women students reported harassment involving sexual bribery initiated by professors.
 
• Studies indicate that only 2 - 3 % of women students who have been sexually harassed attempt to file a formal complaint. (We hope our Website helps to increase this percentage dramatically - File a complaint).
 
• The best estimate is that false complaints against professors comprise less than 1% of the total number filed. Faculty members are often quick to dismiss any complaint as false and grossly overestimate the number of false complaints actually filed.

Impact of Sexual Harassment on Student Victims
 

Victims of sexual harassment often experience the following, potentially devastating psychological, physical/medical, and behavioral/academic consequences.

Psychological
 

• Increased stress and anxiety.
• Depression.
• Lower self-esteem.
• Guilt and shame.
• Decreased motivation.
• Inability to concentrate.
• Increased suicidal thoughts.

• Ulcers.
• High blood pressure.
• Sleep disorders.
• Eating disorders.
• Impaired immune system and increased frequency/severity of illness.

• Increased classroom tardiness and absenteeism.
• Decreased classroom performance and lower grades.
• Higher likelihood of withdrawing from classes.
• Forced changing of majors and/or institutions.
• Greater probability of quitting higher education altogether.

If you or someone you know has been victimized by sexual harassment, it is critically important to get help and support as soon as possible. Please review our section on Getting Help.