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Sexual Assault Victims Bill of Rights

REPORT AN ASSAULT | WHAT YOU SHOULD I DO | REPORTING THE INCIDENT | COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE

Policy Statement

The following rights shall be accorded by all campus officers, administrators and employees of Lincoln University to victims of campus-related sexual assaults:

1. The right to have sexual assaults committed against them investigated and adjudicated by the duly constituted criminal and civil authorities of the governmental entity in which the crime occurred, and the right to the full and prompt cooperation and assistance of campus personnel in notifying the proper authorities. The foregoing shall be in addition to any campus disciplinary proceedings.

2. The right to be free from any kind of pressure from campus personnel that victims, (1) not report any crimes committed against them to civil and criminal authorities or to campus law enforcement and disciplinary officials, or (2) report crimes as lesser offenses than the victims perceive them to be.

3. The right to be free from any kind of suggestion that campus sexual assault victims not report, or under-report crimes because:
   1. victims are somehow "responsible" for the commission of the crime against them,

   2. victims were contributively negligent, or assumed the risk of being assaulted, or

   3. by reporting crimes they would incur unwanted personal publicity.

4. The same right to legal assistance, or ability to have others present, in any campus disciplinary proceeding that the institution permits to the accused, and the right to be notified of the outcome of such proceeding.

5. The right to full and prompt cooperation from campus personnel in obtaining, securing, and maintaining evidence (including a medical examination) as may be necessary to the proof of criminal sexual assault in subsequent legal proceedings.

6. The right to be made aware of, and assisted in exercising any options, as provided by state and federal laws or regulations with regard to mandatory testing of sexual assault suspects for communicable diseases and with regard to notification to victims of the results of such testing.

7. The right to counseling from any mental health services previously established by the institution, or by other victim-service entities, or by victims themselves.

8. After campus sexual assaults have been reported, the victims of such crimes shall have the right to require that campus personnel take the necessary steps or actions reasonably feasible to prevent any unnecessary or unwanted contact or proximity with alleged assailants, including immediate relocation of the victim to safe and secure alternative housing, and transfer of classes if requested by the victim.

9. In addition to the above rights, students, whether sexual assault victims or not, have a right to habitability in campus housing and in campus accommodations for which the college receives any compensation, direct or indirect.
   1. DEFINITION - For purpose of this subparagraph, "habitability" shall mean an environment free from sexual or physical intimidation, or any other continuing disruptive behaviors by persons sharing rooms or their guests, that is of such a serious nature as would prevent a reasonable person from attaining their educational goals. Substantiated violations of the above-listed habitability provisions shall be corrected by campus personnel by relocation of the complainant to acceptable, safe and secure alternative housing as soon as practicable, unless the conditions of non-habitability demonstrate the necessity of immediate action by campus personnel.

TO REPORT AN ASSAULT

Reports may be made by calling the Department of Public Safety at 573-681-5555; by reporting directly to the office, or by reporting to the on-scene officer, if he or she has already been summoned. If you have reported the assault to another university official, they will assist you in making a report to the campus Public Safety Office, if requested.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU ARE RAPED OR SEXUALLY ASSAULTED

• Tell someone. Seek support from someone you trust.

• Talk to the university counselor or the student health nurse (681-5476). Conversations with the counselor and/or the nurse will be kept in strictest confidence if you wish. Other staff members can be helpful, but they will be required to report the incident to the director of campus public safety.

• St. Mary's and Capital Region Hospitals provide emergency services to victims and are located nearby. They can provide counseling referrals and will contact the police for you.

• A public safety officer or your R.S.A. can get help for you anytime. It is not necessary to tell them what happened.

• Again, keep in mind that anyone other than the counselor or nurse must report specific incidents to the police.

REPORTING THE INCIDENT

Choosing whether or not to report the rape or assault is your right and option. If you are certain you want to report the incident to authorities:

• Contact Lincoln University Public Safety at 681-5555. (If you wish to contact the police DO NOT BATHE, CHANGE CLOTHES OR USE MOUTHWASH BEFORE THE EXAM)

If you aren't certain whether you will report the incident to authorities:

• Contact the university counselor or nurse, neither of whom is required to report alleged incidents.

COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE

Counselors at the university may be contacted in the Comprehensive Counseling Center, 304 Founders Hall, 681-5167. They will help victims in obtaining off-campus assistance. Off campus facilities that provide counseling services include:

Family Counseling Center of Missouri Inc………634-4591
Family Mental Health Center Hotline…………….800-833-3915
Rape and Abuse Crisis Service Hotline………..634-4911
Behavior Health Unit………………………………635-7141
Planned Parenthood………………………………635-2882
Birthright……………………………………………635-8822