Survivors and experts say campus sexual assault reporting systems are 'confusing' and traumatising

The Cornell case, in which prosecutors declined to bring charges, echoes the experience of many survivors, according to advocates. One student, identified only as Mary, recounted waking up after a fraternity party with bruises and bite marks, and spending days piecing together that she had been sexually assaulted while "blacked out".

Mary, who did not attend Cornell and is not connected with that case, said the process of reporting her assault and seeking justice was 'confusing and disappointing'. The man she accused was eventually expelled by the university, but local police declined to press charges citing a lack of physical evidence.

"Even though it was a positive outcome, it was still so emotionally exhausting and draining, because I had to do all of this in tandem with getting used to being a college student for the first time," Mary said. "In many ways, I had to be my own advocate, gathering all my evidence." She described her experience with local police as leaving "a deep sense of disappointment in the system".

The confusing array of policies, which vary widely by institution, is one reason the vast majority of campus sexual assaults go unreported, research suggests. Nancy Chi Cantalupo, an associate professor of law at Wayne State University who has represented victims on campus, said the complexity was especially punishing for survivors in trauma.

"These processes are hard to navigate if you aren't in trauma," Cantalupo said. "If you are in trauma, they're virtually impossible to navigate."

Analysis

Why This Matters

The overwhelming majority of campus sexual assaults are never reported, partly because the reporting systems are fragmented and confusing.
Victims are often forced to manage both a campus disciplinary process and a criminal investigation simultaneously, multiplying the emotional burden.
The Cornell case and others like it continue to test the effectiveness of Title IX reforms and whether institutions prioritise survivor support.

Background

Colleges in the United States are required by Title IX federal law to respond to sexual assault and harassment complaints. However, campuses operate their own disciplinary procedures alongside local law enforcement, creating a dual system that can be difficult to navigate. Title IX rules have been subject to frequent changes under recent administrations, adding to the uncertainty for students. Survivors often must gather evidence themselves, as Mary described, and outcomes in one system do not guarantee justice in the other.

Key Perspectives

[Survivors (students like Mary)]: Face an exhausting, often retraumatising process that forces them to advocate for themselves while adjusting to college life. They want clearer pathways, consistent policies and trauma-informed support. [Universities and administrators]: Must balance complainant rights with due process for accused students under evolving federal regulations, and often lack resources to provide consistent, trauma-trained support across all reporting avenues. [Criminal justice system]: Police and prosecutors apply a higher evidence standard (beyond reasonable doubt) than campus processes, often leading to declination of charges in cases that rely on survivor testimony without corroborating physical evidence.

What to Watch

The outcome of the Cornell civil lawsuit and any subsequent policy changes at the university.
Whether ongoing administrative or legislative action simplifies the reporting structure for campus sexual assault.
Future Title IX rulemaking that could require more uniform procedures across colleges.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources