SEXUAL ASSAULT, DATING VIOLENCE & STALKING

POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Slippery Rock University considers sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking to be reprehensible activities, especially within the university community.  When these incidents occur, the University will assist and encourage the filing of criminal charges.

Any student who feels she/he is a victim of sexual assault, dating violence and/or stalking is encouraged to access campus resources for support.  Slippery Rock University provides a variety of free and confidential services including medical care, counseling and advocacy and will make reasonable adjustments to alleviate related problems with academic class schedules and housing arrangements. 

The University recognizes sexual assault, dating violence and stalking to be actions of power and control, and believes that anyone can be a victim regardless of age, sex, race or sexual orientation.  The acts described below can be committed by a person you have no relationship with and have never met before (a stranger) or by someone you know: a classmate, friend, dating partner, etc.  Regardless of the relationship that exists, if you felt uncomfortable, frightened, intimidated, or forced into participating in a sexual activity, you are encouraged to contact one or more of the offices listed in the reporting section of this policy.

 

DEFINITIONS

Consent:  The willingness to engage in a sexual activity agreed upon by those involved.  Intentions must be understood by both parties.  Consent obtained through the use of fraud or force (actual or implied) whether it is physical force, threats, intimidation, or coercion, is ineffective consent.  An individual who is not of legal age, mentally disabled or under the influence of alcohol or drugs is unable to provide informed consent. 

EACH OF THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: FORCE; THREAT OF FORCE; WITHOUT CONSENT; AND/OR IMPAIRED JUDGMENT:

Indecent Assault: Any touching of the intimate parts of a person without his/her consent. 

 

Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse: Oral or anal intercourse obtained through force or threat of force without the victims consent. 

Sexual Assault/Rape:  Sexual intercourse occurring by force or threat of force without the victim’s consent.  Intercourse includes vaginal, anal and/or oral sex.  Ejaculation is not necessary, but there must be some penetration.  The perpetrator(s) can be stranger(s), someone you just met, someone you are dating, a friend or a family member.  Perpetrators commit sexual assault by way of violence, threats coercion, manipulation, or pressure. 

Dating/Domestic Violence: Bodily injury, placing another reasonable person in fear, or holding someone against his/her will.  Acts of manipulation, verbal threats/mistreatment, and causing emotional trauma are also considered abuse.  This may include but is not limited to: assault; kidnapping; unlawful restraint or other such actions.

Stalking and Harassment: Repeated acts, with intent to place a reasonable person in fear of bodily injury or causing substantial emotional distress. All types of communication can be used including: internet chat rooms, telephones, cellular phones, webcams, pagers, email, voicemail, written communications, verbal communications, pursuit, etc. 

 

REPORTING

Slippery Rock University is a community of trust whose very existence depends on strict adherence to the standards set in the Student Code of Conduct.  Committing any of the acts in the above definitions is a serious violation of that code and if a complaint is filed the University will take necessary action.  If you believe you have been a victim of any of those actions it is important for you to seek the services available to you on campus.  The victim has the right to decide who should and who should not know about their experiences.  The following options are available to you:

Bridge Project (Advocacy & Info)   

Strain BSB                                           724-738-2121

Counseling Center                

Old Main                                              724-738-2034

Judicial Programs                 

University Union                                   724-738-4895

Office of Residence Life      

Rhoads Hall                                          724-738-2082

Your Community Assistant (CA)           your floor

Student Health Center                      

Rhoads Hall                                          724-738-2052

Student Life VP                     

Old Main                                              724-738-2003

University Police                   

Keister Rd.                                           724-738-3333

Slippery Rock Borough Police                                 

W. Water St.                                        724-794-6388

PA State Police                     

200 Barracks Rd, Butler                       724-284-8100

Victim Outreach Intervention Center

Butler County Services                         1-800-400-8551

CONFIDENTIALITY

Slippery Rock University strives to create an environment that encourages victims of sexual assault, dating violence and stalking to come forward and report their victimization.  According to Federal Law a campus employee may be required to report the occurrence of an incident.  The time, date, and location of the event is required information.  If you have been a victim your name will not be given without your permission. Counselors at the Counseling Center on campus, and the victim advocate from the Bridge Project are protected by law and are exempt from reporting.   A professional may breach confidentiality to protect an individual who may be in danger, an example would be someone who is threatening suicide or threatening to harm someone else.       

 

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The university urges all students and employees to be aware of one’s personal safety and assume a responsibility in educating others.  Educational programs are available to all students, faculty and staff. 

Information about rape, dating violence and stalking is available to incoming students.  In addition educational programs are presented throughout the year to students.  The Bridge Project and Counseling Center staff are available to provide educational programming for classes, groups and/or organizations on topics of sexual assault/rape, dating violence and stalking. 

Healthy Outreach through Peer Education (H.O.P.E.) provides peer to peer programming to residence halls, student organizations and academic classes each semester. 

A resource library is available at the Bridge Project (Strain Behavioral Science Building), and at the Student Health Center (Rhoads Hall).  The Bridge Project, in conjunction with other campus groups provides students with the opportunity to listen to and talk with guest speakers each semester.    For more information about upcoming events, check the Bridge Project website at www.sru.edu/bridgeproject. 

            To schedule a program or for more information on sexual assault, dating violence and stalking, please contact:

Bridge Project                                                                         724-738-2121

Healthy Outreach through Peer Education (H.O.P.E.)                724-738-4888

Counseling Center                                                                                724-738-2034

 

IF YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM

Unfortunately sexual assault, dating violence and stalking occurs on campuses throughout the nation.  If something happens to you, consider the following:

• Seek immediate medical attention.  During the academic year, the Student Health Center on campus operates 24 hours a day and can provide medical attention, as well as test for sexually transmitted infections and can provide emergency contraception.  The Student Health Center will contact an advocate from the Bridge Project to provide resource and referral information. 
• Evidence collection is an important part of prosecuting a sexual offense.  The Student Health Center does not provide evidence collection exams but can transport you to a local hospital.  A Bridge Project advocate is available to explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have.  An evidence collection exam must be done within 72 hours of the incident.  The clothing you were wearing will be important in order to collect additional physical evidence.  You should not shower or bathe prior to the exam as this may destroy evidence.  Also, if you think you may have been given date rape drugs (ie. Something was put in to your drink or food, etc.) it is important to collect your first urine sample after the incident.  The urine will be tested for illegal substances that leave the body quickly.  You are not required to press criminal charges because you have gone through this step.  Evidence collection exams are paid for by victim’s compensation through the hospital.  Your insurance will not be charged.
• When you arrive at the hospital, the law requires the nurses to call the local police.  You may choose to speak with the police when they arrive.  If you decide not to speak with police you will still have the option of reporting at a later time.  Specifics will not be disclosed to anyone with out your permission.  
• You can report an incident to University Police.  An investigation will only take place upon your request.  An advocate from the Bridge Project can accompany you to the police station by calling x 2121. You may request an advocate to be there with you prior to any procedures being initiated.  If the incident occurred off campus you may be referred to the Slippery Rock Borough Police or the Pennsylvania State Police depending on the location.  You will not be forced to pursue criminal charges any further than you wish. 
• You can report the incident to Judicial Programs on campus. This office oversees the Student Code of Conduct.  Reporting to this office is separate from filing criminal charges. Judicial Programs can issue a no-trespass notice to the alleged assailant upon your request.  After that notice is issued, the assailant can not contact you and you cannot contact him/her.  Upon your approval the office will gather evidence and prepare for a hearing.  For details on a hearing you can contact the Office of Judicial Programs or the Bridge Project (numbers are listed above).  An advocate can work with you before the hearing to explain what to expect.  An on campus hearing through Judicial Programs is usually a quicker process then filing criminal charges in the legal system.  You may ask for a no trespass order, and class and/or housing arrangements could be changed depending on the circumstances of the incident.  No trespass orders may be given pending a resolution through judicial programs. 
• A Bridge Project Advocate can give you information about your options and will function as a guide if you decide to go through any of the above processes.  An advocate will follow up with you as needed.  It is common for a person to experience a range of emotions after such and incident.  You may need help dealing with your emotions, an advocate will make referrals to the SRU counseling center as needed.
• Counselors at the Counseling Center are available to all SRU students free of charge.  All services are completely confidential.  SRU counselors have experience dealing with those who have experienced sexual assault, dating violence or stalking. 
• Occasionally students will initiate services with off campus agencies.  Butler County provides services through Victim Outreach Intervention Center (VOICe).  The Bridge Project advocate works for VOICe and will typically be the advocate who will work with SRU students.  VOICe does have a toll-free hotline that is confidential and available 24 hours a day (1-800-400-8551). 

STATEMENT OF  RIGHTS

Rights of the Victim & the Alleged Perpetrator:    

•        The right to an investigation and response to complaints made in good faith to the university administration.

•        The right to be treated with respect.

•        The right to have one other person present (in support or advisory roles) during a campus disciplinary hearing dealing with issues of violence.

•        The right to be informed of the outcome and sanction of any disciplinary hearing you are involved in, when the offense involves violence.

•        The right to be fully informed of campus judicial and law enforcement rules and procedures as well as the nature and extent of all charges contained within the complaint

Rights specific to the victim:

•        The right to report an allegation and have all reported allegations treated with seriousness.

•        The right to be notified of available counseling, mental health or student services for victims of violent crimes, both on and off campus. 

•        The right to notify proper law enforcement authorities, including local police, and the option to be assisted in notifying appropriate authorities (in addition to campus disciplinary measures). 

•        The right to have your complaints responded to quickly and with sensitivity by campus law enforcement and/or judicial programs.

•        The right to choose the manner in which the case will be pursued.   

•        The right to request campus no trespass order against another student who has engaged in or threatens to engage in stalking, threatening, harassing or other improper behavior that presents a danger to the welfare of the complaining student or others pending further resolution.

•        The right to request a change in housing or class arrangements after an alleged incident, providing that the request is reasonable. 

•        The right to be present and hear all testimony and evidence related to disciplinary charges (crime of violence victims only).

•        The right not to have irrelevant prior sexual history admitted as evidence in a campus hearing.

•        The right to provide a victim’s impact statement at the campus judicial proceeding and to have that statement considered by the board.

Rights specific to the accused student:

•        The right to request to review information regarding the complaint, subject to the confidentiality limitations imposed by state and federal law.

•        The right to be informed of the names of all witnesses who will be called to give testimony (this does not include the names of the alleged victim/complainant and witnesses, which will always be revealed).  

•        The right to appeal the finding and sanction of the judicial body, in accordance with the standard for appeal established by the university. 

 

SANCTIONS UNDER THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

A student found responsible for a charge of sexual misconduct, dating violence or stalking may face disciplinary sanctions including possible suspension or dismissal from the university.   

LIMITED IMMUNITY

It is estimated that alcohol consumption is involved in at least 75% of all non-stranger rape.  The university does not condone underage drinking or violation of local, state, federal laws or other college policies; it does consider reporting assaults to be of paramount importance.  You are strongly encouraged to report the incident. 

Under no circumstances should a student put his/her life in danger; however, students are encouraged to report incidents of sexual or dating violence and assist victims in times of crisis.  If you are a witness to any of these crimes please contact campus police at 724-738-3333 or call 911. 

 

5/4/06 Version