Exploring Contemporary Issues Related to Title IX and the Incorporation of Amnesty Policies

Abstract

Colleges and universities have been inundated with new and changing federal guidance for Title IX compliance since 2011. Though most campuses have made significant strides in compliance with mandates, far fewer have incorporated non-required practices. Sexual assault amnesty is one practice gaining momentum as a best practice. This study gathered information from campuses that have adopted sexual assault amnesty into their sexual misconduct policies. A review of existing sexual misconduct policy documents at each of the 50 land-grant institutions was completed to identify existing sexual assault amnesty policies. The policy review was coupled with interviews of Title IX coordinators, which provided the collection of comprehensive information regarding sexual assault amnesty policy development and implementation. The information was used to design a sexual assault amnesty implementation guide. The guide is modeled after some of the existing policies and from the insight of professionals who have successfully adopted sexual assault amnesty. The implementation guide is designed to be utilized by any institution or system that is considering the addition of a sexual assault amnesty policy.