The IUP Campus Sexual Assault and Victim’s Bill of Rights Policy has been developed to ensure that consistent procedures and coordination of university and community resources are available to victims of sexual assault. This publication is in compliance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 which requires this university to take initiatives to prevent, report, and investigate sex offenses that allegedly occur on campus. According to the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, a sex offense is defined as “either a forcible or nonforcible sexual act directed against another person, against that person’s will, or where the victim is incapable of giving consent, and may include rape or acquaintance rape.”
Sexual Assault Procedures
Any person becoming aware of a sexual assault should:
Encourage the Victim to Contact University Police
University Police will assist the victim in reporting the assault and refer him or her to the appropriate office for follow-up through the legal and/or university judicial system. In cases requiring urgent measures, victims should contact the local emergency operating center at 911. Make sure the victim is in a safe and secure environment. Encourage the victim to try to preserve all physical evidence. The victim may or may not choose to press charges in the future, but preserving physical evidence will give him or her the option to do so later.
- Encourage the Victim to Seek Medical Attention
The victim should be referred to the nearest hospital if the alleged assault occurred within the last seventy-two hours. Each hospital has the facilities and expertise to conduct medical/legal examinations even if the victim prefers not to prosecute. An Indiana campus student should be referred to the university’s Health Service at 724-357-2550 if the alleged assault occurred more than seventy-two hours previously. This step is important so that she or he receives proper assessment and treatment of any physical injuries she or he may have sustained. Furthermore, it is important to determine the risk of sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy and take preventive measures. This step is necessary to gather evidence in the event the victim chooses to prosecute.
- Encourage the Victim to Seek Emotional Support Services
The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services on the Indiana campus at 724-357-2621, Alice Paul House at 724-349-4444 in Indiana, and HAVIN (Kittanning Victim Abuse Center) at 724-548-8888 are available to provide supportive counseling services to the victim. Ask the victim if there is someone she or he would like to contact or would like for you to contact. A close friend or someone she or he can trust can provide the support she or he needs during this traumatic time.
Changing Academic or Living Arrangements
- Academic Schedules
A victim who has been assaulted and wishes to change his or her Indiana campus classroom or academic situation may discuss various options with the Office of Advising and Testing at 724-357-4067, or for the Northpointe campus may contact the Administrative Office at 724-543-1078. Options may include total university withdrawal, discrete course withdrawal, or change of section.
- Campus Room or Apartment
Victims have the option of changing their on-campus housing assignments by contacting their building assistant director (Northpointe, Punxsutawney) or residence director (all campuses).
Investigation and Disciplinary Procedures
- On-campus Disciplinary Procedures and Sanctions
A victim of an alleged sexual assault may request that university disciplinary procedures be initiated against the perpetrator. The victim may bring an advocate to serve as support during any judicial proceeding. The student handbook, The Source, outlines the university judicial process. For more information, call the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Indiana campus, 724-357-2220; the Office of the Assistant to the Campus Dean, IUP at Northpointe, 724-543-1078; or the Office of the Dean, IUP at Punxsutawney, 814-938-6711. Possible disciplinary sanctions for sexual assault include, but are not limited to, removal from university housing and suspension and/or expulsion from the university. Information concerning the outcome of any such proceeding shall be available to the victim.
- Criminal Investigation and/or Prosecution
University Police will take appropriate legal action upon receipt of a report of sexual assault. Investigation and/or prosecution will not take place without the victim’s consent.
Educational Programming
The university is committed to providing programming to students to increase awareness and encourage behaviors that reduce the risk of sexual assault. The following offices, working together, routinely offer educational programming to the university community: Health Service, Office of Health Education, Office of Housing and Residence Life, and Office of University Safety. Information about planned events may be obtained by calling the Office of Health Education at 724-357-4799 or the Administrative Office (Northpointe and Punxsutawney campuses) at 724-543-1078. IUP University Police offers a number of special programs and services designed to promote crime prevention as well as personal safety and security.
For more information on these programs and services, contact the University Police Crime Prevention Unit at 724-357-2141.
