Mixed-methods study uncovers institutional policy shapes mandatory reporting preferences among Title IX practitioners, indicating campus norms drive beliefs about survivor autonomy.
Key Points
To evaluate Title IX practitioners' preferences between universal and selective, survivor-directed mandatory reporting policies for sexual violence in higher education.
Conducted a mixed-methods survey of N=260 Title IX practitioners across institutions of higher education in the United States.
Quantitatively tested associations between policy preferences and practitioner characteristics, including liability fears, media concerns, legal training, trauma competency, and institutional policy.
Qualitatively analyzed open-ended responses to assess practitioner rationales regarding policy effectiveness and survivor autonomy.
Current institutional policy was the sole significant quantitative factor associated with policy preference; practitioners at institutions with universal policies were more likely to favor universal reporting.
Practitioners favoring universal reporting prioritized administrative simplicity and centralizing reporting authority within the Title IX office.
Practitioners favoring selective, survivor-directed policies emphasized procedural flexibility, differing conceptualizations of survivor autonomy, and empowering survivors to direct report disclosures.