Reporting Sexual Assault

Students who are survivors of sexual assault should give strong consideration to reporting the assault. Reporting an assault to the University Police or other law enforcement or campus security authorities does not require filing criminal charges, but it does allow all support systems to be put in place for the survivor. Reporting is best done as soon as possible after the assault, but it may be done at any time. Students can make their report to any campus security authority, including, but not limited to, University Police, local police, Office of Student Judicial Affairs, advisors to recognized student organizations and athletic coaches. The University will assist students who report sexual assault in obtaining medical support and information regarding available legal and judicial resources as well as counseling and support services. If requested by the survivor, and if reasonably available, the University will assist the survivor in changing his/her academic or living situation after the alleged assault.

Students who choose to notify police should be aware of the importance of the immediacy of reporting the incident and the importance of preserving physical evidence at the assault scene as well as on the person assaulted. The gathering of physical evidence can provide important evidence and support of criminal charges leading to a successful prosecution.

Students who are reporting an immediate assault should be accompanied to a health care facility of their choice to allow for collection of evidence and treatment. If a sexual assault victim chooses to report the incident days, weeks, or even months after the assault, important support systems are still available and can be arranged; however, criminal investigations are much more difficult.

Sexual assaults, for which individuals seek medical treatment, must be reported to the appropriate police unit by health care officials. However, as noted above, students are not required to criminally prosecute the case or file a police report, unless the sexual assault survivor is a minor.

University Procedures Regarding Sexual Assault

Students have the right to a fair hearing at Judicial Affairs. Procedural requirements are not as formal as those existing in the civil courts of law. Students should contact the office of Judicial Affairs for detailed information regarding the process. To ensure fairness, the following procedures apply:

• Both the accused and accuser may have an individual of their choice present to advise or support him or her. The advisor may only provide support and counsel to the student and may not actively participate in the hearing, unless clarification is needed, as determined by the hearing officer or panel.
• Both the accused and accuser may submit a written statement and may recommend to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs that witnesses attend on their behalf. The university may call witnesses, as well as question those appearing on behalf of the accused and accuser. In cases where written witness statements will be allowed without the presence of the witnesses, both the accused and accuser will be given the opportunity to review the materials.
• During the hearing, both the accused and accuser shall be given the opportunity to testify and present evidence. The accused and accuser may direct questions at the witnesses through the panel chair. The accuser has the right to provide a statement of impact to the hearing officer or hearing panel.
• Both the accused and accuser shall be provided with the hearing outcome within 48 hours of the decision by the hearing panel or hearing officer. If an accused student is found in violation and appeals the outcome, the accuser will be notified of the pending appeal and its final outcome.

Sanctions to be imposed upon students by the university are varied and depend upon the degree of severity of the violation. Sanctions may include a formal reprimand, conduct probation, disciplinary probation or permanent dismissal. Additional educational sanctions include participation in workshops, as well as recommended counseling and community service.

When sanctions are imposed, consideration will be given to the individual mitigating circumstances as well as aggravating factors, such as past misconduct by the accused student or failure of the accused student to fully comply with previous sanctioned conditions.

Judicial Options in Addition to University Procedures

Students who are survivors of sexual assault have the right to initiate prosecution of an assailant under criminal law as well as bring charges through the University Judicial system. Survivors will be assisted by the Office of Judicial Affairs in learning about the options for reporting sexual assault to the university as well as University Police.

In addition to legal and judicial action, the victim of sexual assault may consider retaining a private attorney for the purpose of filing a civil action for the recovery of damages.

Sexual Violence Education and Support (SVES)

SVES offers programs to reduce the incidence of rape and sexual assault, in addition to aiding rape survivors and their support persons. The programs and services include self-defense courses; rape prevention workshops for both women and men; speakers, literature, and videos for instructors to use in their classrooms; and referrals for sexual assault resources in the community, including referrals for anonymous support services for sexual assault survivors. In some cases, SVES assists students in working with their college offices or other academic services when they need academic intervention related to their sexual assault experiences. SVES also offers training to university counselors, police, medical personnel, and residence hall staff in assisting rape survivors. The SVES web site is http://www.swc.osu.edu.

Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio

The Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO) offers a 24-hour Rape Helpline that can provide callers with emotional support, sexual assault information, and community referrals. The Helpline number is 267-7020. SARNCO also provides rape patient advocates in the emergency departments of Grant/Riverside Hospitals. For additional program information, please call SARNCO's business line at 566-5847.

Campus Sex Crime Prevention Act Information

The responsibility for tracking persons in Ohio who have been designated as Sexual Predators is assigned to the sheriffs of the various counties. The following web sites contain information regarding sexual predators for geographic areas covered by this report. Franklin County: www.sheriff.franklin.oh.us; Madison County: www.madisonsheriff.org; Ottawa County: www.ottawacountysheriff.org/sorn.html.