The survey fulfilled one of its most important functions in producing the first numerical figures for sexual assault on campus.

Previously, assaults could only be counted by those who reported them, leaving officials to guess how many students were remaining silent. The survey showed that 0.8 percent of Harvard females reported sexual penetration against their will within the year prior to the survey, compared to a national average of 1.8 percent.

“That’s the type of statistic where it doesn’t matter how low ours is compared to the national average,” says Hoyt. “You still care, unless it’s zero.”

The numerical data has been very useful for administration and peer groups alike, shedding light on student abusive behavior and relationships. Over eight percent of Harvard females reported involvement in abusive relationships, compared to a national average of 13 percent.

In partial response to these statistics, Assistant Dean of the College Karen E. Avery ’87 has started a discussion group of representatives from UHS, college administration, Harvard University Police Department and peer counseling and education groups to look into the issues surrounding sexual assault.

Sexual Habits

Harvard students claimed notably high rates of contraception use. Fifty-seven percent of students reported using condoms the last time they had vaginal sex, significantly higher than the 45 percent national average.

“Condom use is high, which I would attribute to the easy condom access at Harvard,” says Hoyt. “This is why they’re there.”

Emergency contraception use was also up, with twice as many Harvard females (13 percent) claiming use of the morning after pill in the last year than their peers (6.7 percent). Emergency contraception is available at UHS 24 hours a day.

Despite high contraception use, Harvard students are less sexually active than their peers, with 31.2 percent of students reporting vaginal sex within thirty days and 40.3 percent reporting oral sex, well below the national averages of 51 percent and 48 percent, respectively.

Harvard students were more likely to report a sexual persuasion other than heterosexuality, with 4.8 percent identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, as opposed to 2.9 percent nationwide.

Based on the survey results, UHS clinicians are currently undergoing training to better meet the needs of gay, lesbian or transgendered students, according to Hoyt.

Mental Health

Despite decreased sexual fraternization, the mental health of Harvard students appears to be on par with the rest of the country, with 9.2 percent of students reporting past diagnoses of depression, 0.8 percent below the national average.

The survey data suggests no trends correlating with Harvard class year, though females were one-and-a-half to two times more likely to report various forms of mental distress.