Western International University - Campus Safety Policies Section 8

Western International University - Campus Safety

Campus Safety Policies

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Section VIII:
Sexual Assault Policy and Prevention

Western International University is committed to creating and maintaining an educational environment where respect for the individual and human dignity is of paramount importance. The University does not tolerate sexual assault in any form.

8.1
Definition of Sexual Assault

The definition of “sexual assault” includes, but is not limited to, rape, forced sodomy, forced oral copulation, rape by a foreign object, sexual battery, or threat of sexual assault.

8.2
Facts About Sexual Assault

Sexual assault can happen anywhere. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Justice:

A rape occurs every two (2) minutes in America.
One (1) of every four (4) rapes takes place in a public area or in a parking garage.
Sixty-eight percent (68%) of rapes occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
In 47% of rapes, the victim sustained injures other than rape injuries.
Seventy-five percent (75%0 of female rape victims require medical care after the attack.

8.3
Reporting a Sexual Assault

In the event of a sexual assault, dial 9-1-1.
While reporting the sexual assault to your local police, request medical treatment also.
If the incident occurred at a Western International University location, the victim is also encouraged to report the assault to the Campus Security Authority.
The victim of a sex offense has the option to notify law enforcement authorities, including on-campus and local police, and institutional personnel will assist the student in notifying these authorities, if the student requests the assistance of these personnel.

8.4
Preservation of Evidence of a Sexual Assault

After a sexual assault, it is very important that the victim receive a medical examination. Trained medical personnel will conduct a physical exam of the victim, but only if the victim gives permission.

Keep in mind that although sexual assault is a criminal offense, police do not collect evidence of a personal nature from the victim’s body.

Preserving the evidence from the assault is important. Even if the victim does not wish to file a prompt police report or is certain he or she will not prosecute, evidence should be preserved so the victim has the opportunity to change his or her mind.

The following list of instructions is offered regarding the preservation of evidence:

Do not change clothes until you have received medical attention. If the clothes are changed, those worn during the assault should be placed in a paper bag and taken along to the examination.
Do not touch anything the suspect may have touched.
Do not bathe (or shower) until you have received medical attention.
While waiting for medical and law enforcement assistance, try to make mental notes of the incident.

8.5
Surviving Sexual Assault

The survivor of a sexual assault is urged to seek counseling shortly after the sexual assault has occurred.

Victims of sexual assault may receive FREE CONFIDENTIAL 24-HOUR counseling by calling RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Trained counselors are available at the aforementioned numbers 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.
- RAINN can also be reached through e-mail, at RAINNmail@aol.com. However, crisis counseling is not available through e-mail. The e-mail address is intended solely for questions or comments.
- You can also visit the RAINN Web site at http://www.rainn.org.
For online counseling, visit The Brazos County Rape Crisis Center Web site at http://rapecrisis.txcyber.com/.
The University Campus Security Authority will provide additional referral resources within a 30-mile radius of the campus.

8.6
Sanctions the University May Impose Following a Final Institutional Disciplinary Determination of Rape, Acquaintance Rape, or Other Sex Offense

Sexual assault violates the standards of conduct expected of every member in the University community. Sexual assault is a criminal act, which subjects the perpetrator to criminal and civil penalties under state and federal law. In all cases, the University will abide by and cooperate with local, state and federal sanctions.