Building a culture of support: The use of a social norms campaign to create a trauma-informed campus community

Abstract

In 2019, (Michigan State University) conducted a campus-wide climate survey on relationship violence and sexual misconduct (RVSM; the 'Know More' Survey), which revealed that many students, faculty, and staff did not know where to go for help or how to support survivors. Objective: The authors collaborated on the design and launch of the 'Support More' Campaign in 2021-2022, a trauma-informed social norms campaign created to educate the campus community on how to respond to disclosures of RVSM and how to access campus-based services. Methods: Undergraduate students, graduate/professional students, faculty, and staff (n = 10,993) completed another 'Know More' Survey in spring 2022. Results: Nearly one-half of respondents reported being very or somewhat aware of the 'Support More' campaign. Respondents who had utilized campaign materials found them helpful. Conclusions: Social norm campaigns can help campus communities become aware of RVSM services and how to support survivors.

Keywords: Sexual assault; college campuses; relationship violence; social norms.