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2.1.18 Sexual Assault/Abuse

Policy Guidelines

Illinois State University is committed to maintaining an environment conducive to the continued intellectual and social development of its students. A campus community of mutual respect and concern is established through the active efforts of all its members. Illinois State University maintains a proactive stance in the prevention of sexual assault/abuse and imposes strict sanctions against those found responsible for committing such acts. Sexual assault/abuse will not be tolerated. Victims of sexual assault/abuse will be provided the active support and intervention needed to support their continued progress on academic and career goals.

University Responsibilities

The University is committed to:

  1. providing educational programs which promote awareness of sexual assault/abuse and target prevention of such acts.
  2. informing students of available services both within the University and surrounding community and facilitating their decision-making in regards to recovery needs.
  3. establishing the position of Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services Coordinator to coordinate University prevention programming and, assist survivors in their recovery efforts and in accessing needed services.
  4. encouraging and assisting in the reporting of sexual assault/abuse to the appropriate law enforcement authority and/or filing a complaint with Student Dispute Resolution Services, in those cases where a University student is alleged to have perpetrated the incident.
  5. upon request, reviewing available options for modifying academic and/or living environments and implementing modifications if such modifications are reasonably available.
  6. ensuring the confidentiality of an individual’s status as a survivor of sexual assault/abuse.

Procedures

The following procedures and guidelines apply to Illinois State University faculty, staff and students who are assisting students who have been sexually assaulted.

In an effort to reduce the incidence of sexual assault/abuse and assist survivors in their recovery efforts, Illinois State University will adhere to the following procedures.

Step   Action
I. Prevention Prevention activities are coordinated by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services Coordinator and will target both men and women. Prevention efforts will include:
a. ongoing communication with the campus community to increase awareness of the issue and available resources.
b. training and consultation with University staff.
c. providing seminars and presentations to student groups and organizations on topics relating to sexual assault/abuse.
II. Reporting Procedures When a student has been sexually assaulted/abused, the following steps are recommended.
  1. Refer the survivor to the ISU Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services Coordinator who can provide assistance in accessing needed services. Complete the Sexual Assault Confidential Report Form and forward to the Coordinator.
  2. Survivor’s will be advised on the process to follow subsequent to an incident of sexual assault/abuse:
    1. Seek Safety.
    2. Try to preserve all physical evidence that may be used in criminal prosecution – do not bathe, douche, brush teeth, use the toilet or change clothing. More viable evidence is collected in close time proximity to the assault.
    3. Obtain medical attention.
      1. a rape evidence exam is conducted at hospital emergency rooms
      2. other medical services can be obtained at Student Health Service
    4. Consider reporting the assault to law enforcement authorities.
    5. Contact the Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services Coordinator.
    6. Make use of available support services.
  3. Encourage the survivor to report the assault/abuse to the law enforcement authority having jurisdiction over the area where the alleged incident occurred. Police reporting is encouraged even if the survivor does not wish to prosecute the alleged assailant. However, it is the survivor who ultimately determines what action, if any, is to be taken.
Encourage the student to file a complaint with Student Dispute Resolution Services, if the alleged perpetrator is an Illinois State University student.
III. Survivor Services The following are services offered to survivors of sexual assult

 

  Step Action
Support Services: Survivors are provided access to any services offered by the University irrespective of their decision to pursue criminal prosecution or University Disciplinary proceedings.

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services Coordinator is available to meet with survivors to inform them of available services both within the University and the community. The Coordinator is available to:
  1. provide an assessment of service needs
  2. assist with referral for services
  3. provide information on available resources
  4. provide on-going support for continued recovery
  5. accompany survivors to any scheduled appointments
Medical Services: Treatment of minor injuries, necessary medical testing and follow up services will be offered at the Student Health Service. Survivors of sexual assault who choose to pursue criminal prosecution of their alleged assailant, will be referred to a hospital emergency room for the rape evidence collection exam.
Counseling Services: Student Counseling Service staff provide a full range of confidential services to survivors of sexual assault/abuse. Individual and group counseling, support groups, as well as 24-hour crisis intervention services are provided. Both male and female staff members are available.
University Disciplinary Process: When a complaint is filed with Student Dispute Resolution Services, established procedures for investigation, conducting a hearing and imposing sanctions against students found to be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, will be maintained. Both the complainant and respondent are entitled to have others present during this campus disciplinary proceeding, and both will be informed of the outcome of the proceedings.
Disability Concerns: The Office of Disability Concerns will serve survivors who suffer a continuing or temporary disability as a result of their assault. Services may include consultation with instructors and assistance to survivors in maintaining academic progress.
Academic and Living Environments: Upon request, available options for modifying academic and/or living environments will be reviewed with the student and modifications implemented if such modifications are reasonably available. For assistance in exploring options for a change in academic situations, contact should be made with their advisor, or the Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Studies, or Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies, as appropriate. For assistance in exploring options for a change in living environments, contact should be made with the Residence Hall Coordinator.
IV. Confidentiality University officials will make every effort to ensure the confidentiality of survivors. All members of the University community will treat knowledge of an individual’s status as a survivor of sexual assault/abuse in a confidential manner.

 

Review and Update

This document will be reviewed and updated biennially and/or as needed by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services Coordinator

Initiating body: Vice President for Student Affairs

Contact: Student Health Services, Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services Coordinator (309-438-7948)

Revised on: 11/22/1999
2011-12-15T11:08:39.942-06:00 2011
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