Following the above procedures will help reduce your potential to
become a victim of sexual assault. However, most sexual assaults are
committed by an acquaintance or friend of the victim. Many sexual
assaults also involve drug or alcohol use. Remember that no one has the
right to force anyone to have sex. It’s always important to communicate
your expectations clearly, NO always means NO!
If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, leave! Don’t worry
about being polite or conspicuous. There is no harm in crossing the
street or turning around to avoid a suspicious person. Have the phone
number of someone you can call for a ride, or bring money for a bus or
taxi. Remember that alcohol reduces your awareness and your ability to
take action.
To report an assault, call x7911 on campus, or dial 911 off campus.
Relief from the Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County is
available to help at (253) 474-7273.
Reporting an assault to the police
does not mean that you have decided to prosecute, but you may.
Remember:
Self defense classes may be available to all PLU students through the Department of Movement Studies. Attending these classes can help you to help yourself in the event of a physical/sexual assault.
Sexual assault is a violation of individual rights and dignity that
will not be tolerated at Pacific Lutheran University. Sexual assault is
not only an act of violence, aggression, or coercion against a single
individual, but it is also an attack on human dignity, a value
essential to our university community. For these reasons, Pacific
Lutheran University encourages individuals who believe they have been
sexually assaulted to report sexual assault incidents to appropriate
university and governmental authorities as outlined in this policy.
This policy applies to all members of the campus community—students,
staff, and faculty—as to any incidents, which occur on campus or in
connection with any university sponsored activity or event. Members of
the university community who are sexually assaulted in an off-campus,
non-university setting may seek assistance from any of the university
services set forth in the following:
Victim Rights and Services: Sexual assault victims have the right to:
On-Campus Student Services: A
variety of services on and off campus are available to students who
have been victims of sexual assault. The following campus offices offer
assistance to individuals who believe they have been sexually
assaulted, or to individuals who have been accused of committing a
sexual assault against another member of the PLU community:
On-Campus Faculty and Staff Services: A faculty or staff member who has
been the victim of a sexual assault committed on campus or in
connection with a university-sponsored activity or event, by a member
of the PLU community, is encouraged to contact Campus Safety and
Information, Human Resources, and/or pursue counseling through the
university’s employee assistance program.
Off Campus Assistance: The Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County
offers a 24-hour crisis, information and referral line at (253)
474-7273 or 1-800-756-7273. The Center serves victims of sexual assault
and abuse, their families and friends. Legal and medical advocacy is
available, as well as support groups for victims, their friends and
families.
Alleged Perpetrator Services: Members of the PLU community who are
alleged to have committed a sexual assault against another member of
the PLU community retain all appropriate rights given within the PLU
Student Code of Conduct and University Grievance Procedures. Such
individuals are also entitled to PLU services which may offer them
physical and emotional support, consultation and/or referral. The
alleged perpetrator has the same right as the victim to have a support
person present during the disciplinary proceeding.
Sexual Assault Terminology: Sexual assault can occur against both males
and females and may be perpetrated by an assailant not known to the
victim, or may occur when the victim knows his or her assailant, such
as in the case of acquaintance or date rape. At Pacific Lutheran
University, sexual assault includes, but is not limited to: (1)
non-consensual sexual contact, including forced sexual contact, and (2)
non-consensual sexual penetration including forced sexual penetration.
Non-consensual sexual contact, including forced sexual contact,
includes any harmful, insulting or non-consensual physical contact of a
sexual nature (including touching, fondling, exposure, disrobing, etc.)
that is committed against another person without his/her consent,
including any such act accomplished by means of actual or implied
force, threat, coercion or helplessness. Forcing or intimidating a
person to touch another person’s intimate parts shall also constitute
non-consensual or forced sexual contact.
Non-consensual sexual penetration including forced sexual penetration
includes intercourse (vaginal penetration), sodomy, oral copulation, or
penetration, or penetration with any object by the use of force,
threats, coercion, or by taking advantage of a victim’s helplessness.
Non-consensual sexual penetration includes intercourse (vaginal
penetration), sodomy, oral copulation, or penetration with any object
without a victim’s consent.
Sexual assault occurs when there is non-consensual sexual contact
including forced sexual contact or when there is non-consensual sexual
penetration including forced sexual penetration by a person
individually or in concert with others. Because the university hopes to
educate the community in order to prevent violations of this policy, it
should be understood that:
(a) Alcohol and/or other drug impairment, intoxication or any other
impairment of the accused does not absolve one of the responsibility
for sexual assault.
(b) In situations where the victim is incapable of giving consent, or
is unable to resist sexual advances due to alcohol/other drug
impairment(s), the accused will be held responsible for sexual assault.
Silence will not be considered as evidence of consent under any
circumstances.
(c) Force or coercion is defined as:
(d) Threat is defined as an expression of intention to hurt, destroy or
punish the victim or another person.
(e) Consent means at the time of the act of sexual intercourse there
are actual words or conduct indicating freely given agreement to have
sexual intercourse.
Reporting Sexual Assault: Pacific Lutheran University
very strongly encourages individuals who believe they have been
sexually assaulted to report such incidents. Filing a report with
Pacific Lutheran University, The Pierce County Sheriff or the Sexual
Assault Crisis Center of Pierce County is not a decision to press
charges. Criminal, civil and/or university action occur independently;
an individual who believes he/she has been sexually assaulted may
pursue action in one or all systems concurrently. The university is not
required to delay on-campus proceedings pending decisions in the
criminal or civil systems. Because the definitions of sexual assault
and the burden of proof required for responsibility may be different on
campus from those in the criminal and civil justice systems, an alleged
perpetrator may be found responsible on campus, while in the criminal
or civil justice systems, a different result may occur. Victims will be
given any assistance necessary in notifying law enforcement authorities
if a report is to be filed.
Pacific Lutheran University is committed to respecting personal dignity and will maintain confidentiality as appropriate and in keeping with the law. Faculty or staff members outside of the above referenced departments must inform Student Life (as to students) or Human Resources (as to all others) of any sexual assault matters brought to their attention. Such reporting may be done without identification of the individual(s) involved, if such is requested by the alleged victim.