Responding to Incidents of Sexual Assault, Stalking and Relationship Violence

Victims/Survivors

1. Any University of Minnesota student or employee who has been sexually assaulted or physically harmed is strongly encouraged to contact the police department for the location where the assault occurred (the University of Minnesota Police Departments can assist in making the contact.)
2. The University strongly encourages individuals to report sexual assault and relationship violence to appropriate officials because it is the only way that action can be taken against an alleged violator of the policy. Timely reporting and a medical examination within 72 hours is critical in preserving evidence of sexual assault, and the ability to respond effectively, but victim/survivor can report an incident at any time.
3. Victims/survivors are also encouraged to contact the local victim/survivor service office and/or counseling and health care services. All contacts with victim/survivor service offices such as the Twin Cities Aurora Center, Crookston's Community Violence Intervention Center, Duluth's Program Against Violence and Sexual Assault, and the Violence Prevention Program serving Morris, are strictly confidential.

4. Victims/survivors are also encouraged to contact University officials for appropriate action. Specific contact information is contained the Contact section above, but in general:

   • University housing residents should contact any Housing/Residential Life staff.
   • If a student is accused, report it to the student conduct office on the appropriate campus.
   • If an employee is accused, report it to Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

University Employees and Students (when informed of an incident of assault)

1. Encourage the victim/survivor to report the incident to the police, and to contact the Program Against Sexual Violence (PASV) or the local victim/survivor service office.
2. If you are a University employee with supervisory or advising responsibilities, contact your campus student conduct office, or Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, for guidance on the next step.

University Offices Receiving a Report

Victim/survivor support services will:

• Maintain the contacts as strictly confidential.
• Provide crisis intervention and advocacy, in some cases including assisting victims/survivors in seeking restraining orders.
• Assist and support the victim/survivor in contacting police and/or reporting to other University offices, if the victim/survivor consents.
• Assist the victim/survivor in obtaining medical assistance and counseling, changing academic programs or housing, etc.

Counseling and health care services will:

• Maintain the contact as confidential
• Encourage, assist (as needed) and support the victim/survivor in reporting the incident to the police
• Provide appropriate counseling and medical services.

Police departments will:

• On the Twin Cities, Duluth and Morris campuses, the University of Minnesota police department will contact campus programs against sexual violence for victim/survivor assistance. On other campus local police departments are requested to assist in contacting local victim services agencies.
• Investigate and refer for prosecution when warranted.

Housing/Residential Life Offices will:

• Contact, or encourage contact with, the local victim/survivor service office, and assist in obtaining medical care if needed.
• Encourage the victim/survivor to report the incident to the police, and assist in making the report if requested by the victim/survivor. Housing/Residential Life may be obligated to report to the police the fact that an assault was reported, but the name of the victim/survivor will only be provided with the victim/survivor's consent, except in extenuating circumstances.
• If the person accused is a student, the incident will be reported to the campus office responsible for administering the Student Conduct Code.
• Report for appropriate investigation by campus authorities or police (where no police investigation is warranted, Housing/Residential Life may conduct the investigation).

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action will:

• Contact victim/survivor service office and assist in obtaining medical care if needed.
• Encourage the victim/survivor to report the incident to the police, and assist in making the report if requested by the victim/survivor. EOAA may be obligated to report to the police the fact that an assault was reported, but the name of the victim will only be provided with the victim/survivor's consent, except in extenuating circumstances.
• Allow the victim/survivor and the person accused to have a non-participating support person present for interviews.
• If the person accused is a student, the incident will be reported to the campus office responsible for administering the Student Conduct Code.
• If the person accused is an employee, investigate, and make recommendations for action, as appropriate (in many cases the police may conduct the investigation).

Campus student conduct offices will:

• Respond to the allegations and discipline if needed, consistent with the Student Conduct Code and, for the Twin Cities campus, the Procedures for Disciplinary Proceedings. The Twin Cities Student Judicial Affairs office will conduct investigations when needed.
• Assist the victim/survivor in contacting victim/survivor service office if desired.
• Encourage the victim/survivor to report the incident to the police, and will assist in making the report if requested by the victim/survivor. Campus conduct offices may be obligated to report to the police the fact that an assault was reported, but the name of the victim/survivor will only be provided with the victim/survivor's consent, except in extenuating circumstances.
• Permit the victim/survivor and the person to have a support person or advisor present at any interview or hearing, in a manner consistent with the governing student conduct procedures.

University investigatory and disciplinary procedures will:

• Proceed independently of any action taken in the criminal or civil courts, as determined on a case-by-case basis. University procedures are not a substitute for criminal court proceedings.
• Not require a victim/survivor to mediate directly with the person accused.
• Act promptly and appropriately in cases where the University judicial process has found the accused party or parties in violation of University policy. Possible sanctions include, but are not limited to, dismissal, suspension, and warning.
• Inform both victim/survivor and accused person of the outcome.