UConn is committed to providing a safe, supportive environment on all our campuses and has a range of strategies and practices in place to further that mission.
The University cannot discuss specifics of any individual students or cases, but has a robust system to respond to reported incidents, combat sexual and interpersonal violence and harassment, and provide support.
UConn will always do its best in terms of education and awareness; holding those found responsible for misconduct accountable; focusing on the impact of trauma on mental health; and responsiveness to survivors.
UConn uses a trauma-informed approach – among best practices advised nationwide by experts in the field — that gives agency to impacted students by letting them decide whether they wish to participate in an investigation or hearing. The University honors their wishes and if they decline, it only proceeds in limited and specific circumstances.
However, even in matters where a student does not want to pursue an investigation, UConn still takes responsive or preventative actions, and always prioritizes support services. Law enforcement will pursue investigations when they receive a report of an incident, with UConn Police having jurisdiction on campus and Connecticut State Police handling off-campus reports.
First and foremost, UConn is committed to a safe environment in which all members of its community are respected and receive whatever services may be helpful in their individual circumstances. This has been and will remain a foundational principle of our University.
In considering campus report statistics, it is helpful to know that interpretation of that data varies greatly depending on the source used. Helpful information can be found in this report on the University’s UConn Today news website, which also contains links to the reports.
The most reliable indicator of sexual violence reporting over time on UConn’s campuses is found in annual federally mandated Clery reports. Separately, UConn’s Office of Institutional Equity’s annual report to the state has far broader parameters and therefore larger numbers. They include incidents with no connection to UConn, incidents that occurred before the reporting year, or other circumstances that prevent UConn from intervening in an enforcement role. These reports are critical to help us provide support, but are not an indicator of on-campus single-year incidents.