The HEDS Sexual Assault/Campus Climate Survey asks students about their perceptions of their campus’s climate for unwanted sexual contact and sexual assault, their perceptions of how their institution responds to sexual assaults, and whether and how often they have experienced unwanted sexual contact or sexual assault. The survey has been offered to Carleton students in 2015, 2018, and 2021. You can review the results from previous surveys.
More information about the survey and a sample survey instrument may be found on the Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS) website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I access the survey?
Every Carleton student will receive an email from a non-Carleton email address to participate in the HEDS Sexual Assault Campus Climate Survey. This email will include a custom link for you to complete the survey.
Who should complete the survey?
We hope every student will complete the survey, whether or not they have experienced unwanted sexual contact.
What can I expect when I take the survey?
The survey will ask you about your perceptions of Carleton’s climate regarding unwanted sexual contact and sexual assault, your perceptions of how Carleton addresses and responds to sexual assault, and the extent to which you have experienced unwanted sexual contact or sexual assault.
How long does it take to complete the survey?
The survey is completely anonymous and will take about 15–20 minutes to complete.
Do I have to take the survey?
Your participation is completely voluntary.
Is the survey anonymous?
Your responses will be completely anonymous, and all reports will reference only aggregate information from all respondents. Your name will not be connected in any way with your responses to this survey, and any identifying information from the computer on which you take the survey will be removed before we receive the data.
Can I skip questions?
You may stop taking the survey at any time or choose not to answer particular questions. You may also go back and change or delete your responses. If you wish to stop taking the survey, simply leave the survey without hitting the “Submit” button at the end. Your responses will not be recorded until you hit the “Submit” button.
What questions are asked on the survey?
Some of the questions will ask you about sexual, personal, and potentially troubling information. It may be emotionally difficult to answer these questions. Should you wish to talk with someone, you may access information about campus, local, and national resources for unwanted sexual contact, sexual assault, and relationship violence at any point in the survey by clicking on the link in the footer of the survey page. This information will also be provided at the end of the survey.
How will my answers be used?
The information you provide will be used to inform and improve support, policies, practices, and culture at Carleton and will not be used to investigate specific individuals. Disclosing an incident here does not constitute reporting the incident to your campus and will not result in any action, disciplinary or otherwise. Please do not identify anyone by name in your survey responses. If you identify anyone by name, the name will be removed before Carleton receives the data.
What if I want to report an incident of sexual misconduct?
To report an incident, please reach out to Laura Riehle-Merrill, Carleton’s Title IX Coordinator, at lriehlem@carleton.edu or complete a community concern form.
What is the HOPE Center?
The mission of HOPE Center is to create zero tolerance for sexual and domestic violence through healing, outreach, prevention and education. Through innovative programming, they offer direct support to survivors of sexual violence throughout Rice County, including Carleton students, provide collaborative support to other organizations that serve survivors, and offer educational support to the entire community.