Sexual Violence Prevalence (SVP)

Background

In October 2014, the SUNY Board of Trustees (BOT) enacted a policy on sexual and interpersonal violence. Among other things, that policy requires that “Beginning in the 2015-2016 academic year, each State University of New York State operated and community college will conduct a uniform climate survey that ascertains student experience with and knowledge of reporting and college adjudicatory processes for sexual harassment, including sexual violence, and other related crimes.” The goal of the Sexual Violence Prevalence (SVP) Survey is to evaluate the climate experienced by students and employees at SUNY campuses regarding sexual violence.

Our campus administered the survey in Spring 2025. Excluded survey populations were individuals under 18 years of age, all incarcerated individuals regardless of age, and all students concurrently enrolled in high school regardless of age.

Our campus hopes to gain knowledge from this survey to learn what areas of growth the campus can make in connecting with employees and students on how to contact the Title IX Coordinator and awareness of campus policies and procedures.

This survey was administered to students and employees and is required to address, at minimum, student and employee knowledge about:

  • The Title IX Coordinator's role;
  • Campus policies and procedures addressing sexual assault;
  • How are where to report sexual violence as a victim/survivor or witness;
  • The availability of resources on and off campus, such as counseling, health, academic assistance;
  • The prevalence of victimization and perpetration of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on and off campus during a set time period
  • Bystander attitudes and behavior;
  • Whether victims/survivors reported to the College and/or police, and reasons why they did or did not report
  • The general awareness of the difference, if any, between the institution's policies and the penal law; and
  • The general awareness of the definition of affirmative consent.
  • In reviewing the results, we highlight that the survey:
  • Indicated that students experiencing Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault and Rape has decreased.
  • Indicated that students and employees are more aware of reporting Sexual Violence via formal process.
  • Indicated that students are more aware that the campus has policies and procedures specifically addressing sexual assault.
  • Indicated that students are less aware how to contact the Title IX Coordinator.
  • Indicated that student and employees are experiencing less Peer Readiness and Willingness to Help.

Based on the results from the student survey, it is indicated that more information be distributed to students about how to contact the Title IX Coordinator and written information to students and employees about Peer Readiness and Willingness to Help. The Title IX Office is reviewing ways to distribute this information to students.

Results

Response Rate

In 2025, 3,091 Mohawk Valley student were invited to participate in the SVP, of whom 293 responded. The resulting response rate of 9.5% is lower than the response rate of 10.3% recorded in 2023. The Medium 2-Year Campuses response rate for 2023 was 7% and 2025 was 6.1%.

Responses Regarding Knowledge of Title IX Policies and Resources:

  • 84.9 % had knowledge the campus has policies and procedure specifically addressing sexual assault;
  • 54.5% knew how to contact the Title IX Coordinator;
  • 74.7% knew the definition of Affirmative Consent.

Responses Regarding Students Experiencing Sexual Harassment in the Past Year:

  • 14.7% reported experiencing unwanted sexual comments, sexual slurs, or demeaning jokes;
  • 8.5% (decrease from 2023) reporting experiencing unwanted sexually suggestive digital communications, either words or images or both, including emails, texts, social media communications, or in letters or other written communications

Responses Regarding Students Experiencing Sexual Assault in the Past Year:

  • 5.1% reported experiencing being fondled, kissed, or rubbed up against the private areas without consent;
  • 3.3% reported experiencing some of their clothes being removed without consent;
  • 3.3% reported having oral sex preformed or being forced to perform oral sex without consent;
  • 3.3% reported experiencing sexual penetration without consent

Summary

Mohawk Valley Community College, working with SUNY and community colleagues (including students, faculty, and staff), will use these data to improve response to violence, develop prevention programs, and will continue to study the issue. The next SVP Campus Climate Survey will be administered in Spring 2027. For additional information please refer to Uniform Campus Climate Survey.

If you have any questions about the survey or the results, please email MVCC Title IX Coordinator Jennifer DeWeerth.