The Role of Trust in Student Perceptions of University Sexual Assault Policies and Services

This study looks at students’ perceptions of sexual assault policies and services at a mid-size university campus in Ontario, with a focus on how trust factors into reporting sexual violence and service utilization. The findings of the study show that while students understand that sexual assault policies and programs exist, they are not necessarily willing to use those resources, nor do they necessarily trust that their university has students’ needs and interests in mind.