Five Things Colleges and Universities Can Do to Provide Support Services to Respondents

This brief provides student affairs practitioners and higher education administrators guidance on how to implement equitable practices for supporting student respondents, who are defined as individuals who have been reported to be the perpetrator of sexual misconduct such as harassment and assault. Respondent services can operate as a supportive tool for students in a Title IX process and provide an opportunity for students to recognize the harm they have caused. Respondent services can also ensure that both parties can meaningfully participate in difficult adjudication procedures. This brief introduces five steps colleges and universities can complete to construct a robust, effective program.