Sexual violence remains a significant and persistent challenge across U.S. higher education campuses – one that demands coordinated action from campus leaders, educators and the broader community. At ICC TAC, our mission centers on supporting the mental health and well-being of Illinois college students, and addressing sexual violence is central to that work.

National data illustrates the scope of the problem. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), 13% of all college students experience rape or sexual assault — including 26.4% of undergraduatee women and 6.8% of undergraduate men — during their time in college (RAINN). These statistics underscore the need for prevention strategies, consent education and accessible survivor support services on every campus.

Illinois Legislative Framework

Illinois has taken a proactive legislative approach to this issue. The Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act requires colleges and universities to implement prevention training, provide confidential advisors and establish transparent reporting procedures for sexual misconduct cases (Illinois Attorney General). The law also mandates that institutions administer campus climate surveys to evaluate student experiences with sexual misconduct and campus safety (Illinois General Assembly). These surveys help institutions identify gaps in prevention efforts and strengthen campus policies.

Prevention Programs at Illinois Universities

Across Illinois, universities have developed education and prevention initiatives aligned with statewide requirements. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, prevention and response efforts are coordinated through the Title IX and institutional equity offices, which oversee campus policies, training programs and prevention initiatives (University of Illinois).

Illinois State University promotes prevention through awareness programming, campus workshops and educational resources focused on healthy relationships, consent and reporting options (Illinois State University). These initiatives reflect a shared understanding: preventing sexual violence requires community engagement and collective responsibility among students, faculty and staff.

Community Colleges and Campus Safety

Community colleges across Illinois play an equally vital role in prevention and survivor advocacy. Parkland College maintains Title IX policies that prohibit sexual assault, harassment, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking, and provides confidential counseling resources and connections to local crisis advocacy organizations for survivors (Parkland College).

College of DuPage similarly offers prevention training, counseling services and reporting resources to support students affected by sexual misconduct (College of DuPage). By integrating prevention education with survivor support services, community colleges contribute meaningfully to statewide efforts to create safer campuses.

Consent Education and Student Awareness

A critical element of prevention is helping students understand consent — defined as a clear, voluntary and ongoing agreement to engage in sexual activity. Many students arrive at college without a clear understanding of consent, particularly in social environments where alcohol or peer pressure may be present.

Research from the Association of American Universities Campus Climate Survey found that many students who experienced sexual assault did not report incidents to their institutions, often because they were unsure whether what occurred constituted misconduct (Cantor et al., 2020, AAU Campus Climate Survey). This underscores the importance of clear, consistent consent education — delivered through orientation programs, workshops and peer-led initiatives — so students can recognize coercive behavior, communicate boundaries and support those who may be experiencing harm.

Bystander Intervention and Prevention

Many campuses have adopted bystander intervention programs to help students prevent harm before it occurs. Programs such as Green Dot and Bringing in the Bystander train participants to recognize potentially dangerous situations and intervene safely. Research has shown that bystander-focused prevention programs can reduce sexual violence perpetration and increase students’ willingness to act when they observe risky behavior (Coker et al., 2017, National Library of Medicine).

ICC TAC recently hosted a Green Dot bystander intervention training to help participants recognize warning signs and respond effectively.

Watch the training recording: It’s Not Easy Being Green — May 19, 2025 — icctac.org/trainings

These programs emphasize that small, proactive actions can shift campus culture toward greater accountability and safety for everyone.

Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns

Advocacy campaigns also play a meaningful role in prevention efforts. Many campuses host events such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, an international awareness campaign in which participants walk in high heels to raise awareness about gender-based violence and show solidarity with survivors (walkamileinhershoes.org). Events like these often occur during April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and help foster open conversations about prevention and survivor support.

Emerging Risks: Digital and Image-Based Abuse

Campus communities are also confronting a newer and growing threat: digital sexual abuse, including the nonconsensual sharing of intimate images. These incidents can spread rapidly through social media and cause lasting emotional harm. Organizations such as the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative highlight how image-based abuse has become an increasingly serious concern for young adults and college students (Cyber Civil Rights Initiative). Addressing digital sexual abuse requires campuses to expand their prevention education and reporting resources to reflect these evolving harms.

Moving Forward

Illinois higher education institutions have made meaningful progress through legislation, prevention programming and survivor advocacy. Universities and community colleges alike are working to expand consent education, bystander intervention training and trauma-informed support services.

At ICC TAC, we recognize that addressing sexual violence is inseparable from supporting student mental health and campus well-being. Continued progress will require sustained collaboration among campus leaders, students and community organizations — ensuring that every member of the campus community can learn and thrive in a safe environment.

For more information about ICC TAC’s resources and trainings, visit icctac.org.

Kyle Fontaine, MBA, MSc, BSc, BEd, Co-author
Kyle works for both the Illinois Campus Cares Technical Assistance Center and the Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Center at SIU School of Medicine. Before stepping into this role, Kyle was a high school teacher supporting young adults who thrived in nontraditional learning environments. His passion for creating inclusive, supportive spaces carries into his current work. As a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Kyle partners with colleagues to break down the stigma around behavioral health, empowering others to listen, offer support and respond confidently when someone is struggling.

Claire Murphy  Co-author
Claire is a Springfield native and Marketing Associate supporting SIU Medicine and the Illinois Campus Cares Technical Assistance Center. With a passion for community connection and storytelling, she brings enthusiasm to everything she does, from crafting campaigns to amplifying missions through social media. Outside of work, Claire volunteers with the Walk to End ALZ and the Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair.