MIT Outlines Measures Designed to Reduce Sexually Inappropriate Conduct
In an email to the MIT community, President L. Rafael Reif announced a comprehensive approach to addressing sexual assault and unwanted sexual behavior on campus. The strategy, led by Chancellor Cynthia Barnhart, focuses on education, community engagement, survivor support, clear policies, and leadership commitment.
A survey conducted among students revealed that 17% of undergraduate women at MIT have experienced sexual assault, according to national definitions. The survey, which generated responses from 3,844 students, or 35% of those queried, also found that close to half of these incidents occurred when students were in a vulnerable state.
To help reduce barriers to reporting, MIT has already taken several steps. Policies and procedures have been clarified, the website dedicated to sexual assault and misconduct has been updated, new staff have been hired, and the Committee on Discipline has received increased training. Significant changes have been made to the Committee's processes for handling sexual misconduct cases, and a task force has been charged with recommending additional changes to the disciplinary process.
To further support survivors and increase education, MIT will increase staff, find new ways to let students know where to turn for help, and launch a Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Task Force. Composed of students, staff, and faculty, this task force will review current education and prevention outreach efforts, explore best practices at other institutions, develop recommendations to address gaps, and propose a plan for their implementation.
In an effort to empower students to take action, MIT will also focus on bystander intervention. Drawing on lessons from a successful program, MIT will roll out similar programs in dormitories and with other student groups. Several on-campus residence halls have already launched student-organized training sessions for residents, and the Panhellenic Association is developing a risk certification program on sexual assault, substance abuse, mental health, bystander intervention, and policy awareness for MIT sororities. The Interfraternity Council has also taken up this responsibility, implementing a program to educate students about sexual assault, the role that alcohol and drugs can play, the power of bystanders to help prevent sexual assault, and ways to help a friend who has been assaulted.
MIT will also work with a group of students to develop peer-to-peer programs, in the tradition of other successful peer-based efforts at MIT. Among survey respondents who experienced unwanted sexual behavior, 63 percent told someone about it; more than 90 percent of these students sought support from a friend.
President Reif expressed his gratitude for the important work already done by Chancellor Barnhart and the dedicated staff and students working with her. He trusts that the community will come together to find the best ways to solve this problem for MIT.
[1] Source: MIT News Office, "MIT Launches Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Task Force," 12 March 2023,
[3] Source: MIT News Office, "MIT Launches Comprehensive Approach to Addressing Sexual Assault," 12 March 2023,
- The Task Force on Sexual Assault Education and Prevention, consisting of students, staff, and faculty, will review current education and prevention outreach efforts at MIT.
- The strategy to address sexual assault on campus, led by Chancellor Cynthia Barnhart, includes a focus on education, community engagement, and peer-to-peer programs.
- Students who have experienced sexual assault or unwanted behavior at MIT can find new ways to seek help, as MIT will increase staff and modify its reporting policies.
- MIT plans to launch a comprehensive Health-and-Wellness program to focus on mental health, sexual health, and other wellness issues within the student body.
- In addition to increasing education, MIT will equip its science labs with additional resources for researching the impact of sexual assault on students' learning and overall well-being.
- The Committee on Discipline, receiving increased training, now understands how to handle sexual misconduct cases more efficiently, thanks to changes made in their processes.
- A set of new policies has been implemented following a survey that revealed 17% of undergraduate women at MIT have experienced sexual assault, according to national definitions.
- To prevent sexual assault, MIT will implement programs that emphasize bystander intervention, drawing on successful examples from other institutions and student groups.
- The Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association have taken on responsibility for educating students about sexual assault, substance abuse, mental health, bystander intervention, and policy awareness within their respective organizations.
