Free Sexual Assault Survey
50+ Expert Crafted Sexual Assault Survey Questions
Measuring the true scope and impact of sexual assault is essential for crafting effective prevention strategies and offering real support to survivors. A Sexual Assault Survey is a confidential questionnaire that gathers vital data on experiences, attitudes, and risk factors to inform policies and programs. Load our free template - preloaded with expert-crafted example questions - or head over to our form builder to customize your own survey in minutes.
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Top Secrets for a Successful Sexual Assault Survey survey
Running a robust Sexual Assault Survey survey can shine light on experiences that too often stay hidden. Clear objectives guide every step, from crafting first questions to analyzing data. A well-defined goal anchors your design and helps participants trust the process. Start by mapping your survey's purpose. Ethical guidelines from Best Practices for Survey Research stress confidentiality when you ask about trauma. In a recent campus pilot, students rated anonymous digital forms more than 20% higher in comfort than paper. Next, choose your survey mode carefully. The Department of Justice's Best Practices: Campus Climate Surveys recommends mixed methods - online outreach plus small-group focus - to boost honest replies. Think about mobile-friendly layouts and clear instructions to reduce drop-offs. Keep questions straightforward. For example, "Have you ever experienced unwanted physical contact?" or "What support services would you consider after an incident?" A brief scenario helps: at a mid-sized college, administrators tested wording changes in a low-stakes poll and saw response rates climb by 15%. Finally, loop in your community. Share preliminary insights in a follow-up email or on a campus safety blog. Integrating feedback shows participants that their voices matter, cementing trust. If you need a detailed walkthrough, explore our Sexual Assault Survey template as a starting point.
5 Must-Know Tips to Avoid Pitfalls in Your Sexual Assault Survey survey
Launching a Sexual Assault Survey survey without anticipating pitfalls can skew results and harm trust. Focus on common missteps so you gather the insights you need. First, don't overlook sampling. If you invite only a core group, your findings may not reflect diverse voices. Research on Methodological and Ethical Challenges in Violence Research highlights how random sampling and stratification protect validity. Second, avoid leading or loaded wording. Instead of "Did you feel unsafe after the incident?", try open prompts like "How would you describe your sense of safety on campus?" This shift encourages honest feedback and reduces bias. You might also ask, "What barriers prevent you from reporting an incident?" to pinpoint obstacles. Third, pilot your survey and mind measurement errors. The National Academies report Estimating the Incidence of Rape and Sexual Assault warns that unclear definitions can create major data gaps. A small test group can flag confusing items before full launch. Fourth, don't underestimate the need for respondent support. Provide clear contacts and hyperlinks to resources, and consider a Trauma Informed Survey approach to honor sensitivity. Real-time debriefs after completion show participants you care. By sidestepping these traps, you preserve data quality and respect participant wellbeing. When in doubt, run a short poll to refine questions and build confidence. Accurate feedback leads to actionable change, and that's the goal.Immediate Response Questions
These questions aim to understand survivors' actions and feelings right after an incident to improve support protocols. By capturing immediate responses, organizations can refine their first-contact procedures. Learn more in our Sexual Assault Survey .
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Can you describe what you first did or thought immediately after the incident?
This helps identify common instinctive actions and supports refinement of crisis response protocols.
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Did you contact any emergency services or hotlines? If so, which ones?
Knowing whether and which services are used guides outreach and resource allocation.
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Did you feel safe seeking help right after the incident?
Assessing perceived safety informs improvements to victim access and environment design.
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Were there any barriers that prevented you from seeking immediate assistance?
Identifying obstacles ensures targeted solutions for faster, more effective support.
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Did you inform anyone you trust about what happened? Who?
This reveals social supports and potential gaps in survivors' personal networks.
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How long did it take you to decide to seek help?
Timing data helps design timely interventions and reduce response delays.
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Did you collect any evidence (e.g., clothing, messages)?
Understanding evidence collection behavior aids in educating survivors on forensics.
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Did you experience any confusion about where to go for help?
Clarifies information gaps and guides improvements in public awareness campaigns.
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Were you aware of any immediate medical resources available?
Measures knowledge of urgent care options to shape educational initiatives.
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Did you feel you had control over your next steps?
Evaluates survivors' sense of agency, critical to empowerment-focused services.
Medical Examination Questions
This set explores survivors' experiences with medical care to strengthen trauma-informed practices. Insights guide hospitals and clinics in providing compassionate, efficient services. See guidelines in our Trauma Informed Survey .
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Did you undergo a forensic medical exam (rape kit)?
Determines usage rates of forensic exams and highlights potential barriers to access.
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Were you informed about what the exam would involve beforehand?
Measures adequacy of pre-exam communication and consent processes.
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Did you feel the medical staff explained each step clearly?
Assesses quality of information delivery to reduce patient anxiety and confusion.
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Were you offered any privacy accommodations during the exam?
Privacy is crucial; this identifies whether environments meet survivors' comfort needs.
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Did you receive written materials or follow-up instructions?
Evaluates provision of take-home information for ongoing care and legal steps.
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How respectful and empathetic did you find the medical staff?
Collects feedback on interpersonal aspects vital to trauma-informed care.
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Were any immediate medical treatments administered (e.g., STD prophylaxis)?
Checks if critical health protections were promptly provided.
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Did you feel pressured to make decisions during the exam?
Identifies potential coercion, ensuring survivors retain full autonomy.
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Were follow-up appointments scheduled or recommended?
Determines continuity of care, which is key for both physical and mental recovery.
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Did you know whom to contact if you had post-exam questions?
Assesses clarity of communication channels for ongoing survivor support.
Psychological Impact Questions
This category examines emotional and mental health outcomes to guide supportive interventions. Data helps tailor counseling programs and peer support initiatives. For deeper analysis, refer to our Victimization Survey .
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Since the incident, have you experienced recurring nightmares or flashbacks?
Identifies PTSD-like symptoms for targeted therapeutic approaches.
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Do you find yourself avoiding places or situations that remind you of the event?
Avoidance behavior signals trauma triggers and informs exposure therapy planning.
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How often have you felt anxious or on edge in recent weeks?
Measures generalized anxiety levels to recommend appropriate support services.
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Have you noticed changes in your mood, such as irritability or sadness?
Tracks mood fluctuations that may indicate depression or mood disorders.
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Have you had difficulty sleeping or concentrating?
Highlights cognitive and sleep disturbances needing clinical attention.
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Do you feel isolated or unwilling to connect with friends and family?
Assesses social withdrawal, essential for designing community reintegration efforts.
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Have you experienced thoughts of self-harm or hopelessness?
Critical for immediate risk assessment and emergency mental health intervention.
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Have you sought professional mental health support?
Evaluates access to and use of counseling or psychiatric services.
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Do you feel supported by those around you in your recovery?
Measures perceived social support, a known protective factor in trauma recovery.
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Are you aware of any self-care strategies that help you cope?
Determines survivors' resourcefulness and identifies needs for additional coping tools.
Support Services Awareness Questions
This section focuses on survivors' knowledge of available support networks and resources to close service gaps. Responses guide outreach and resource mapping. For workplace-specific insights, explore our Harassment Survey .
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Are you aware of any local crisis hotlines for sexual assault?
Assesses public knowledge of immediate support channels to improve awareness campaigns.
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Do you know of any emergency shelters or safe houses in your area?
Identifies shelter awareness to direct funding and outreach to underserved regions.
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Have you been informed about legal aid services for survivors?
Measures knowledge of legal support, critical for accessing justice.
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Are you aware of any peer-support or survivor-led groups?
Evaluates community-based resource awareness for enhancing recovery networks.
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Do you know how to contact a victim advocate?
Checks awareness of personalized guidance services to ensure survivors aren't navigating alone.
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Have you heard of any specialized mental health clinics for trauma survivors?
Determines knowledge of tailored therapeutic options to improve referral pathways.
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Do you know about any financial assistance programs for survivors?
Assesses awareness of economic support to reduce post-trauma hardship.
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Are there any community centers offering survivor workshops you know about?
Highlights awareness of skill-building and peer-education opportunities.
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Have you received any information packets or brochures from agencies?
Measures effectiveness of printed outreach materials in disseminating service details.
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Do you feel confident navigating these support services on your own?
Assesses self-efficacy in accessing resources, guiding service navigation improvements.
Prevention and Education Questions
This final set gauges awareness of prevention strategies and educational efforts to reduce future incidents. Insights drive curriculum development and public campaigns. See related tools in our Sexual Education Survey .
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Have you attended any workshops or seminars on sexual assault prevention?
Measures participation rates in educational events to identify outreach gaps.
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Do you feel knowledgeable about consent and boundaries?
Assesses baseline understanding to shape targeted education modules.
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Have you seen campaigns or materials that discuss bystander intervention?
Evaluates reach of prevention messaging and encourages active engagement.
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Do you know how to safely intervene if you witness potential assault?
Assesses self-reported intervention skills crucial for community safety.
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Have you had discussions about healthy relationships in school or work?
Checks whether formal environments cover essential topics on respect and boundaries.
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Are you aware of online resources for learning about sexual violence prevention?
Measures digital resource awareness to enhance online education strategies.
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Do you know your rights regarding reporting and confidentiality?
Evaluates understanding of legal protections to empower informed decisions.
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Have you participated in role-playing or scenario-based training?
Assesses engagement in practical exercises shown to improve retention of prevention tactics.
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Do you feel comfortable discussing sexual assault topics with peers?
Measures openness in dialogue, which is essential for proactive prevention culture.
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Would you recommend educational programs on sexual violence to others?
Gauges perceived value of current offerings and potential for peer referrals.
