On October 27, 2014, M.I.T. released the results of a survey on sexual assault and harassment at its campus.
According to the survey, among the undergraduates that responded at least 17 percent of women and five percent of men said that they had been sexually assaulted. Additionally, 12 percent of women and six percent of men said that they had experienced unwanted sexual contact, but without threat, force, or incapacity.
The survey also investigated the perception of perpetrators in cases of sexual assault. A large percentage of the respondents expressed the view that the blame was not always solely on the perpetrator. Two-thirds agreed to the statement, "rape and sexual assault can happen unintentionally, especially if alcohol is involved."
The survey has been praised for its openness about sexual assault particularly at such a prestigious university as M.I.T. However, it has also been criticized for the self-selection of participants and the questions asked. Open to the entire student body, about 35 percent of the population responded.
Read more about the survey and its findings here http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/us/rare-survey-examines-sex-assault-at-mit-.html?ref=education.
