University Police Sex Offense Response Policy
Sex offenses, including date or acquaintance rape, are a serious
concern of the University Police. If you feel you are a victim of a
sex offense on campus, call the University Police at 262-8000 any time
of the day or night. Your University Police will:
1. Meet with you privately at a place of your choice to take a complaint
report, and if you feel more comfortable talking with a female officer,
we will do our best to accommodate your request.
2. Not release your name to the public or the press as long as such
release is likely to pose a threat to your mental or physical health
or personal safety. However, the law requires notification to the campus
community of crimes that are “considered to be a threat to other
students and employees” and the disclosure of the time, date,
location and nature of a violation.
3. Assist you with transportation to a local hospital or other medical
treatment facility. Assist you in privately contacting counseling and
other available resources.
4. Fully investigate your case, keep you informed about the progress
of the investigation and/or prosecution, and be available to answer
your questions and explain the legal systems and processes involved.
We will explain to you that, if an arrest is made, certain information
that had previously been held confidential will now become public record.
If a sexual assault occurs on campus: Get medical
attention; notify University Police immediately; find and maintain
a support system (a 24-hour crisis hotline is available by calling
828-262-5035). Remember,
any victim of sexual assault has the right to file a complaint with
law enforcement authorities. If an assault occurs off-campus, University
Police will help you file a report with the appropriate law enforcement
agency.
To aid the police investigation, take these steps to preserve evidence:
- If the rape has just occurred, do not shower or bathe before
the medical exam.
- Try not to touch any smooth surfaces that the rapist may have
touched until the police have dusted for fingerprints.
- Save all your clothing and personal items from the crime and
tell the police what you have
- Document any injury you suffered, either by photography or
by showing it to someone you trust.
COUNSELING SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF SEX OFFENSES
Counseling services for sexual assault victims are available both on
and off campus. The Counseling and Psychological Services Center,
located in the Annas Student Services Building, provides counseling
to students who are victims of any sex offense. It can also provide
referrals to community resources such as OASIS or New River Mental
Health Center. The University’s Counseling Center will also
assist students who choose to notify law enforcement agencies, both
on and off campus. The Student Health Services can also provide medical
information and referrals to community agencies. The offices of Student
Development and Academic Affairs will also make every reasonable
effort to assist the victim of a sexual assault by providing options
for changing living or academic conditions.
SEX OFFENSE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES AND SANCTIONS
Appalachian’s Student Judicial Affairs office hears cases referred
for violations of the Code of Student Conduct including sex offenses,
forcible or nonforcible. Both the accuser and the accused are entitled
to the same opportunity to have others present during the campus judicial
proceedings during which an on-campus sexual assault is alleged. Both
the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of any
campus disciplinary proceedings brought about by alleging sexual assault.
See the Code of Student Conduct for the minimum sanction for sexual
assault or rape (forcible or nonforcible). The sanctions are recommended
to the Vice Chancellor by a judicial board following a hearing or administratively
determined by a hearing officer. The judicial process and sanctions
are outlined in the Code of Student Conduct.
