The Cultivating Learning and Safe Environments (CLASE) initiative were launched in Fall 2015 with support from The University of Texas System Board of Regents in an effort to learn about students’ experiences with sexual harassment, stalking, dating/domestic abuse and violence, and unwanted sexual contact since enrollment, and examine students’ perceptions of institutional response and safety on campus.
The CLASE initiative is an ongoing, comprehensive, scientific effort designed to empower all UT System institutions to be free from intimate and interpersonal violence. The initiative is unprecedented in its scope, duration, and depth of understanding on the issues of sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence/domestic violence, and stalking that UT System students may face. The goals of the CLASE initiative are:
- Increase student safety and well-being by improving programs and services for students;
- Reduce acts of sexual harassment, stalking, dating/domestic abuse and violence, and unwanted sexual contact at UT institutions; and
- Benchmark prevalence at all UT System institutions.
Prevalence and Perceptions Study
In May 2015, The University of Texas System Board of Regents funded CLASE 1.0, a four-year action research project to better understand students’ experiences and perceptions about sexual assault and misconduct with the goal of increasing students’ safety and well-being. (Misconduct includes issues protected under Title IX: sexual harassment, stalking, dating/domestic abuse and violence, and unwanted sexual contact.) The primary deliverable of CLASE 1.0 was a system-wide prevalence and perception survey completed in March 2017…
CLASE 2.0
Following initial benchmarking of prevalence and perceptions, IDVSA researchers launched additional and ongoing projects called CLASE 2.0. As part of CLASE 2.0, IDVSA convened interdisciplinary thought leaders, researchers, and representatives from campuses around the country to integrate research findings into ongoing and innovative programming, including the projects described below.
- Health Institution Custom Curriculum
As part of CLASE 2.0, IDVSA worked with UT System Health Consortium representatives to create a valuable and practical teaching tool and resource for professionals working within health institutions settings. This may include a Title IX Coordinator, health institution president, communication director, medical faculty, and any number of other professionals in health institutions.…
- Restorative Justice Practice
As part of CLASE 2.0, IDVSA conducted a Restorative Justice (RJ) Pilot Intervention & Evaluation project. This programming included training and conflict resolution intervention that addresses repairing harm(s). RJ provides innovative interventions and prevention programming for the campus ecosystem, applicable for all disciplines, and processes (i.e., roommate disputes, authorship conflicts or disagreements, and other situations), as determined by leaders, campus needs, and readiness.
- Title IX Process Evaluation
As part of CLASE 2.0, IDVSA conducted the Title IX Process Evaluation. Researchers examined factors that promote or hinder Title IX processes, outputs, and outcomes. The major aim of this project was to inform improvement for existing Title IX programs and processes.
Report Coming Soon
- Longitudinal Cohort Study
As part of CLASE 2.0, IDVSA conducted the Longitudinal Cohort Study. Researchers surveyed a cohort of UT Austin students each semester over the course of their college careers to help understand their knowledge, attitudes, and experiences related to sexual assault and misconduct. This is the first sexual assault and misconduct longitudinal survey of this scope in the country.
Report Coming Soon
- Fourth R Pilot Intervention & Evaluation
As part of CLASE 2.0, IDVSA conducted an evaluation of an evidence-based healthy relationship prevention program addressing dating violence and stalking, including cyber and electronic bullying in relationships for efficacy on a college campus.
Report Coming Soon
- Social Network Analysis Project
As part of CLASE 2.0, IDVSA conducted the Social Network Analysis Project. Researchers studied students’ social networks in residence halls and the social network factors that interact with the known links between alcohol use and sexual violence.
Report Coming Soon
Ongoing Research & Programming
IDVSA continues to conduct additional research through analysis of currently collected data.
