Sexual Assault - Victim Services
Back to Judicial Processes and Procedures
The University values the dignity and safety of every individual on campus and encourages alleged victims of violence to report inappropriate behavior to the appropriate university offices, including the University Police and the Victim Advocate. Alleged victims will be treated with dignity and compassion by University personnel and their privacy will be maintained, within the legal boundaries of the law. Alleged victims will be informed of their options within the criminal and campus judicial processes, and may be accompanied by an advisor through any student judicial proceeding.
Alleged victims will also be informed of campus and community resources to assist them in overcoming the incident and to proceed with their goals and responsibilities at the University. General campus services available to alleged victims of violence include: personal counseling and medical services; police assistance; and accommodations in academic and residence hall arrangements, when necessary.
Alleged victims of violence, which violates the Student Conduct Code, receive specific victim accommodations within the student judicial process. Acts of violence include sexual and physical assault, relationship /domestic violence, and stalking and harassment that include threats of violence.
Alleged victims of sexual assault may choose how to proceed within the student judicial process, although the University can proceed with judicial action without the victim's consent if the alleged behavior is intimidating or threatening or otherwise adversely affects the accused student's suitability as a member of the University community. Alleged victims of violence whose case is handled by the Student Judicial Affairs office in a formal proceeding are given various accommodations in the judicial process. Victim accommodations include:
- Being kept informed of the status of the case throughout the judicial process, including the outcome of the judicial process.
- Being accompanied by an advisor throughout the judicial process.
- In cases involving sexual assault, with the recommendation of a licensed mental health care provider, the alleged victim can provide hearing testimony from a separate room, as long as it does not infringe upon the charged student's rights to question the witness.
- Submitting potential questions to the hearing authority for the hearing.
- Submitting a written impact statement to the hearing body after the finding of facts which shall be considered during sanctioning, should the accused be found responsible for the violation.
- Having unrelated behavior excluded from the judicial hearing.
- Remaining present, as an observer throughout the evidentiary portion of the judicial hearing after his/her testimony.