A Case Study of One Student Gender-Based Violence Survivor's Experiences Following Disclosure to a Responsible Employee

Sexual violence is a major public health concern, which affects college-aged individuals and college-going students at particularly high rates (Fedina et al., 2018; Fisher et al., 2000; Krebs et al., 2007; Morgan & Oudekerk, 2019). Institutions of higher education are required by federal regulation to address sexual violence on college campuses through effective policies and practices; these include Responsible Employee (RE) policies, which require specific employees to report sexual violence perpetrated by or against students at that institution (Ali, 2011; U.S. Dept. of Education, 2001; Final Rule, 2020). No prior research has explored the consequences of RE policies for student survivors, and as such, institutions are required to implement RE policies that directly affect survivors without the benefit of research or systematic inquiry about the outcomes of those policies for survivors. This case study sought to explore the experiences of a student survivor following disclosure to a Responsible Employee, centering the survivor’s beliefs, opinions, and perspectives regarding policy outcomes. Findings outline the most salient and impactful aspects of the post-report experience, as described by the student survivor and supported by triangulating data. These include the importance of survivor agency; institutional Title IX procedures; interpersonal interactions with personal and institutional support; environmental and community context; and the power of resilience. By using a conceptual framework grounded in policy analysis, the findings of this study are intended to contribute to effective assessment and implementation of policies and related practices on college campuses. Specific considerations for translation to practice by institutional practitioners are provided.