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Sexual Assault Information

Sexual Assault Information and Protocol

Federal Student Right To Know and Campus Security Act, Public Law 101-542

Sexual Assault Policy

It is the policy of Eastern Illinois University that sexual assault and sexual abuse will not be tolerated. When a student is sexually assaulted, the University will make every effort to provide assistance to the student in a thorough, consistent manner.

Definition of Sexual Assault

The term sexual assault, as used by Eastern Illinois University, includes the legal definitions of sexual assault contained in Illinois State Law, as well as the student conduct code. Definitions include, but are not limited to, acts of rape (stranger and acquaintance), other forms of coerced sexual activity, including unwanted touching, fondling, or other forms of sexual conduct. Sexual assault and sexual abuse are considered serious violations of University policy.

Educational Programming and Training

Educational programs and printed educational materials specifically addressing issues of sexual assault/sexual abuse, including acquaintance and date rape, will be made available to Eastern Illinois University students, faculty, and staff throughout the calendar year.

The University will make training available to those faculty and staff who may come in contact with victims and/or perpetrators of sexual assault/sexual abuse as a part of their professional responsibilities. Those individuals may include, but are not limited to, University Police Officers, Health Service staff, Housing staff, and Student Standards Board members. The Vice President for Student Affairs will be responsible for ensuring the continued availability of these programs.

Sexual assault/sexual abuse training, educational programming, and/or printed material will stress the importance of reporting incidents of sexual assault/sexual abuse regardless of whether or not the victim intends to pursue criminal, civil, or institutional disciplinary action. Only when the victim reports an incident involving an allegation of sexual assault/sexual abuse will University personnel be able to put the victim in contact with trained personnel who are able to provide support and information which may be vital to subsequent criminal or institutional action. The University supports the right of victim choice as to the options they pursue following an assault.

Institutional Reporting

In accordance with the Campus Security Act, Eastern Illinois University maintains records of all reported incidents of sexual assault/sexual abuse that occur on campus. University personnel will be obligated to file an informational incident report to the University Police Department informing them that an assault has occurred and where the assault allegedly occurred. This informational incident report will not require the victim to pursue any type of formal institutional or criminal action nor will it require the reporting person to identify the victim or the alleged perpetrator.

Institutional Procedures When Contacted By Victims of Sexual Assault/Abuse

The University defines procedures to be used by all faculty and staff when contacted by victims of sexual assault/sexual abuse. Victims, may choose to participate in all, some, or none of the processes offered. This report addresses in detail the following processes, resource services, and personnel:

  1. The need for immediate MEDICAL ATTENTION at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center (348-2525), the area’s certified sexual assault treatment center. THERE IS NO NEED TO REPORT TO THE EIU HEALTH SERVICE FIRST. Victims who agree to seek medical treatment will be encouraged to go to the hospital without showering, cleaning up, or changing clothes as doing these things could destroy evidence. Eastern Illinois University Health Service (581-3013) will provide follow-up testing and health care of registered students who are, or have been, victims of sexual assault/sexual abuse.
  2. The availability of ADVOCACY SERVICES for victims of sexual assault/sexual abuse through the Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Service (SACIS). SACIS has trained advocates who are available 24 hours a day to accompany victims through hospital, police, court, or institution disciplinary proceedings. SACIS can be reached by calling 348-5033 from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling the Sexual Assault Counseling 24-Hour Crisis Line at 1-888-345-2846.
  3. The availability of COUNSELING SERVICES through the Counseling Center (581-3413) at EIU and through SACIS. Counseling focuses on crisis intervention, follow-up therapy, post-trauma symptoms, and decision making. Counseling services will be made available to registered students who are victims of sexual assault/sexual abuse regardless of when or where the incident occurred. Alleged perpetrators who are registered students are also eligible to receive counseling services through the EIU Counseling Center.
  4. The option of filing CRIMINAL CHARGES through the Eastern Illinois University Police Department (581-3213) or the Charleston Police Department (348-0660). In the event of an emergency, immediate assistance can be obtained by calling 911. University and Charleston police officers work in conjunction with University resource personnel and staff members to assist victims. NOTIFYING THE POLICE DOES NOT REQUIRE THE VICTIM TO PURSUE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OR INSTITUTIONAL DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
  5. If the accused student and victim live in on-campus housing, the University will determine whether immediate REASSIGNMENT is needed. If the accused student and victim have contact within academic buildings, the University will also determine whether a directive to refrain from contact with the alleged victim should be issued to the alleged perpetrator. The University will be responsible for making the determination whether interim suspension should be invoked against the alleged perpetrator.
  6. If the alleged perpetrator of a sexual assault is a student at EIU, the victim will have the option of initiating a complaint with the University’s DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM through the Office of Student Standards (581-3827). The accused student and the accuser are both afforded the opportunity to bring with them to the hearing an advisor of their choice. Through the HEARING PROCESS, the University will determine if a violation of institutional conduct standards has occurred and, if so, what disciplinary sanctions are appropriate. SANCTIONS the University may impose include, but are not limited to, completion of an educational program, University disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion. It is the policy of Eastern Illinois University to inform the victim of the outcome of the hearing.
  7. If the alleged perpetrator of a sexual assault is any member of the EIU community (student, faculty or staff member), the victim will also have the option of initiating a sexual harassment complaint with the University’s OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY/Title IX (581-5020).

COPIES OF THE REPORT DETAILING THESE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE AVAILABLE AT ANY OF THE RESOURCE SERVICES/OFFICES OR FROM THE RESOURCE PERSONNEL DESCRIBED ABOVE.