SU Policy on Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is defined as any incident where an individual is forced into any type of sexual contact against his or her will and without his or her consent. It is important to note that it is illegal to administer alcohol and/or any other drug for the purpose of preventing resistance and/or inducing a mental state where the individual is incapable of appraising the nature of his or her conduct. Persons who can be of assistance to individuals who have been sexually assaulted or the target of sexual assault include female or male staff in the Health Center, the Counseling Center, the Employee Assistance Program, Residence Life and Public Safety. All are accessible 24 hours a day. Off campus referrals will be given upon request. Students may also contact the Sexual Assault Student Support (SASS) advocates, a group of faculty and staff who are trained to provide assistance to members of the university community who have been targets of sexual violence. Any member of the Susquehanna community who believes that he or she has been sexually assaulted is encouraged to: 

1. Seek medical attention and counseling;
2. File criminal charges under the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; 
3. Institute a formal disciplinary complaint; this would include a full investigation by the Public Safety or the Office of Student Conduct.
If a formal disciplinary complaint is instituted (see the outline of procedures in the Code of Student Conduct), the individual who was assaulted has rights that include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. The right to have a person of his or her choice accompany him or her throughout the process. Note: the person accompanying the student may not be an attorney; his or her role is that of an advocate or advisor. 
2. The right to be present for the entire hearing; 
3. The right to be informed of the board's decision as soon as it has been made; 
4. The right to have no past sexual history discussed in a hearing, beyond history of relations with the accused deemed relevant by the board.
5. The right to discretion, dignity, and confidentiality.
4. Seek mediation with an official University Mediator. (See Grievance Procedures or the Conflict Mediation sections)
5. As a result of Act 104 from Nov. 17, 2010, from the Department of Education, which added Article XX-G, “Sexual Violence Education at Institutions for Higher Education” to the Public School Code, the university will offer an educational program for full-time students on sexual violence sponsored by the Department of Public Safety. The program will include: 
   1. A discussion of sexual violence 
   2. A discussion of consent, including an explanation that the victim is not at fault 
   3. A discussion of drug and alcohol-facilitated sexual violence 
   4. Information relating to risk education and personal protection 
   5. Information on where and how to get assistance, including the importance of medical treatment and evidence collection, and how to report sexual violence to campus authorities and local law enforcement 
   6. The possibility of pregnancy and transmission of sexual diseases 
   7. Introduction of members of the educational community from: 
      1. Public Safety and the Selinsgrove Borough Police Department 
      2. The Health Center, Women’s Resource Center, and Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition 
      3. The Counseling Center 
      4. The Department of Residence Life & Civic Engagement 
   8.  Victim rights during university Student Conduct processes, including those listed under part 13c of this policy, including the promise of discretion and dignity and the promise of confidentiality

For more information on sexual assault education, please see The Counseling Center on MySU under “Self Help” and “Sexual Assault.”


Updated: 7/27/11 JFA, ABP