Sexual Offense Policy and Procedures

Policy Statement

Seattle University affirms respect, responsibility, and caring between all persons. Admission to the University carries with it the presumption that students will conduct themselves as responsible members of the community, and refrain from actions that would endanger the health, welfare or safety of others. Conduct constituting a sexual offense, such as rape, acquaintance rape or sexual assault, will not be tolerated. Behavior of this nature is inconsistent with Seattle University values, and is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, University policy and state and federal law. Students committing a sexual offense in any form can be prosecuted under the Washington State Criminal Code (Title 9A RCW) and/or disciplined under the Code of Student Conduct.

Prevention Through Education

Educational Opportunities - Seattle University is committed to educating students, faculty and staff about sexual assault and about the prevention of sexual assault. The University’s goal is to prevent sexual assault through education and deterrence, and through the creation of an atmosphere of improved understanding and communication. Educational opportunities on sexual assault awareness, prevention and safety are presented during new student orientation and throughout the year. Offices and programs providing such
information include Public Safety and Housing and Residence Life. The Student Counseling Center offers counseling, referral information and support. Reducing the Risk of a Sexual Assault or Offense - No one asks or deserves to be sexually assaulted. While there is no absolute protection against a sexual assault or sexual offense, there are precautions you can take to help reduce your exposure to the risk of a sexual offense. Some suggestions include:

• Be aware that excessive use of alcohol and/or other drugs interferes with the ability to think clearly and communicate effectively.
• Keep your doors and windows locked whether in the office, at home, or in the car.
• Wear clothes and shoes that allow you to move quickly.
• Walk on lighted pedestrian pathways; do not take short cuts.
• Walk with a purpose and project an assertive image. 
• Be conscious of your surroundings and anticipate potentially dangerous situations. 
•  Prohibit a stranger(s) from entering your room unless properly identified. 
•  Never hitchhike. 
•  Avoid walking or jogging alone at night. 
•  When on campus, particularly at night, call Safety and Security at 296-5990 for security escort services. 
•  Know your sexual desires and limits, exercise your right to set those limits, and clearly communicate those limits. 
•  Be assertive. 
•  If you are going to leave a party with a person you do not know well, tell another person where you are going and whom you are going with. 
• When out with someone, be sure you have money for a taxi, your bus pass, and the phone number of a friend, so you are not dependent on your companion for a ride home. Acquaintance and date rape are familiar terms to students, but they are not legal terms. They are often used to differentiate between rape committed by someone the victim knows and rape by a stranger. The same criminal laws, penalties, and University sanctions apply in cases of acquaintance rape as in cases of stranger rape.

What You Can Do If A Sexual Offense Occurs

A victim of a sexual offense can experience varying degrees of trauma and anxiety. Emotional and physical symptoms such as fear, anxiety, anger, shock, depression, insomnia, headaches and/or nausea are common. Many victims also feel guilt and self-blame, especially if the suspect is an acquaintance. Regardless of the symptoms you experience, if you are a victim of a sexual offense:

• Find a safe place: Stay with a friend or someone who can give you emotional support. Call a rape crisis line.
• Go to a hospital for immediate medical care: The medical staff provides medical assistance for injuries, tests for medical evidence, and resources for emotional help. Do not wash or change clothes before calling or going for help as this may destroy important evidence. The collection of medical evidence does not presume that you will press charges against the assailant. However, if you later choose to press charges, the evidence will be available.
• Report the sexual offense: You are strongly encouraged to immediately report the sexual offense to campus security or local law enforcement officials. The Seattle University Public Safety personnel are prepared to help you understand your options and their consequences, as well as to refer you to other campus and community resources for additional assistance.
• Get professional counseling: A sexual offense is a serious personal violation which renders any of a variety of physical, emotional and psychological symptoms. A counselor will help you deal with these problems and any related issues. Information about counselors and support resources is available through Public Safety, Housing and Residence Life, the Wismer Center, the Counseling Center, the Office of Student Development, and Human Resources.
• Changes to classroom or residence hall assignments: In some circumstances, victims of a sexual offense seek to change their classroom or residence hall assignments. Students wishing to discuss reasonably available options should contact the office of the Vice President for Student Development.

Reporting Procedures

On-campus: A victim of a sexual offense on campus is strongly encouraged to notify the Crimes Against Persons Officer in the campus Public Safety Office (USB 102, 296-5990, 296-5911 for emergency). Once the sexual offense is reported, the Public Safety Office will notify appropriate University officials or third parties who are identified as having a need to know. The primary role of Public Safety in a sexual offense incident is to collect information in an unbiased manner and preserve all relevant evidence. Public Safety notification procedures may vary depending on certain factors such as whether the alleged assailant is a member of the University community, whether the incident took place on or off campus, and whether the victim wishes to remain anonymous. Generally, the Public Safety Office will report the incident to the campus Director of Public Safety. In addition, if the alleged assailant is a student, the Office of the Vice President for Student Development is
notified; if the alleged assailant is a faculty member, the Office of the Provost is notified; if the alleged assailant is a staff member, the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources is notified.

Anonymous Report: If a victim of a sexual offense wishes to remain anonymous, the Public Safety Office will take a “third person” report. This report allows a person to provide a detailed report about the offense without the obligation of pursuing an investigation and/or pressing charges. The University cannot fully investigate or initiate disciplinary action against the alleged offender based on a third person report. However, reporting is still encouraged as it may provide important information for protecting the community-at-large.

Off Campus: When a sexual offense occurs off campus, the investigative authority of Seattle University Public Safety is limited. However, Public Safety does work in close cooperation with the Seattle Police Department in investigating the complaint. The same reporting and notification procedures as for an on campus incident will occur. If the assailant is a Seattle University student, faculty, or staff member, the University may, at its discretion, suspend disciplinary action or related proceedings until the SPD
investigation and/or court action is complete.

Confidentiality

Every possible effort shall be made to insure the confidentiality of information received as part of the University reporting procedure. Whenever possible, the name of the victim will be withheld if the victim so desires. Action requiring disclosure of the victim’s identity or identifying the victim in some manner will generally not take place without the victim’s consent, unless it is necessary to protect the health or safety of students or other persons. If so, the victim will be informed.