Report Sexual Harassment

Complaints of sexual assault are investigated and handled pursuant to the University’s Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy, and should also be reported to the SVSU Police Department. In addition to the SVSU Police Department, you also have the right to file a criminal complaint with any other appropriate law enforcement agency.

What should you do?

If you think that you are the victim of sexual harassment, do not keep it to yourself; contact someone who can assist you. You may feel embarrassed or think you are somehow responsible, but do not blame yourself. You have a right to function in your prescribed capacity in an environment free of discriminatory behavior.

A.       How to Report Sexual Harassment  

1. Any individual who believes they have been subjected to conduct prohibited by the University’s Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy by any University officer, employee, student, contractor, visitor, vendor or other person should report the inappropriate conduct to the University. Individuals are encouraged to report prohibited conduct before it becomes severe or frequent.  Reports may be in person or in writing.
   
   Student complaints should be made to the University’s Title IX Coordinator or any Title IX Representative.  All other complaints should be made to the Office of Diversity Programs or Human Resources.
   
   
2. An individual may report the prohibited conduct to his or her supervisor. Alternatively, an individual may report a violation of this policy by contacting the office to whom the supervisor reports, to the Office of Diversity Programs or Human Resources. Under no circumstances is anyone required to report prohibited conduct to a person he or she believes may be responsible for that conduct.

Reporting Sexual Assault to the University Police

If you are sexually assaulted:

1. Get to a safe place as soon as you can.
2. Try to preserve all physical evidence.  Do not wash, use the toilet, douche, change clothing, or disturb the area if you can avoid it.  If you do change clothes, put all clothing you were wearing at the time of the attack in a paper bag, or other container.
3. Contact the University Police Department by Calling 989-964-4141 or 9-911.  University Police will ensure you obtain medical treatment immediately.  The Saginaw County Sexual Assault Response Team will collect the appropriate evidence in the event you wish to take legal action.  A sexual assault advocate will also be contacted to assist you.
4. Contact someone you trust to be with you and support you.  

Seeking medical treatment is important because:

• It will allow professionals to assess and treat any physical injuries you may have sustained.
• It will help determine the risk of sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy and take preventive measures.
• It is crucial in gathering evidence that could aid in criminal prosecution.  Physical evidence should be collected immediately – ideally within 24 hours.  In some circumstances evidence may be gathered up to 96 hours after an assault.

The reasons to report the incident to the University Police are:

• To ensure your safety and your well being.
• To take action which may prevent further victimization, including issuing a crime alert to warn the campus community of an impending threat to their safety.
• To apprehend the assailant.
• To seek justice for the wrong that has been done to you.
• To have the incident recorded for purposes of reporting statistics about incidents that occurred on campus.

REPORTING PROCEDURES/CONFIDENTIALITY

The University is committed to investigating and resolving reports of violation of this policy in such a way as to maintain confidentiality to the fullest extent permitted by the circumstances and to the extent permitted by law. Individuals who report violations or who are contacted in the course of an investigation are expected to treat reports of violations or information regarding reports as strictly confidential.  A breach of confidentiality may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

If you feel you have been a victim of a sexual assault on campus, the University Police will meet with you privately at a place of your choice to make a report.  You will be treated with courtesy, sensitivity, dignity, understanding, and professionalism.  Your name will not be publicly released.  The University Police will do its best to accommodate requests for talking with a male or female police officer.  The police officer will take a statement from you and ask a number of questions about what happened and where the incident took place.  The police officer will also ask you about the assailant and any other witnesses present before, during, or after the incident.  You will be assisted in arranging for hospital treatment, medical needs, and future counseling.  Your case will be fully investigated, and you will be kept up-to-date on the progress of the investigation.  This may involve the arrest and full prosecution of the suspect responsible.  The police officer will help facilitate internal charges through the SVSU Code of Student Conduct or other University procedures. Disciplinary sanctions can include probation, suspension, or expulsion.  The police officer will also help should you request for a change in housing or your academic classes.  

Retaliation

Retaliation in any form against an individual who reports a violation of this policy or who provides information in the course of an investigation of a reported violation is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.