“Terrifying and Exhausting”: Secondary Victimization in Title IX Proceedings at U.S. Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Students at United States colleges and universities increasingly turn to campus Title IX processes to address sexual violence, but little research exists on the emotional fallout of Title IX processes and student perceptions of process bias. This paper presents an analysis of 72 responses to a 2021 survey of Title IX process complainants and respondents at higher education institutions. While students on both sides of Title IX processes experienced negative emotions, complainants often minimized these experiences while respondents emphasized them. This form of comparative secondary victimization risks further marginalizing complainant voices at higher education institutions.