Policy on Sexual Assaults

The university presents three specific educational programs to promote the awareness of rape, acquaintance rape, and other forcible and non-forcible sex offenses. The Rape Aggression Defense Program, which is a self-defense program for women, is presented free of charge and is geared toward awareness and avoidance of dangerous situations. The Equalogy Program is an interactive theatrical production that promotes awareness of sexual assault and encourages male as well as female participation in the program. Can I Kiss You is a program presented by Mike Domitrz and stresses the importance of healthy dating and sexual assault awareness and shows the devastation and trauma caused by sexual assault.

Sexual assaults continue to be of great concern on campuses everywhere. UNH wants you to know the following about any such crimes committed on our campus:

Police Investigation: First and foremost, sexual assault is a crime. The UNH Police Department will work vigorously with the West Haven Police Department to investigate all reported sexual assault crimes and will work closely with victims, other law enforcement agencies, and the State's Attorney's Office to bring perpetrators to justice.

University Sexual Assault Protocols: These state unequivocally that sexual assault is a crime, as well as a violation of the UNH conduct code.
Please refer to the UNH Student Handbook for further details.

Sanctions: In addition to arrest and the full process of the criminal justice system, student offenders are also subject to the campus disciplinary system for any assaults on campus or in connection with off-campus university activities. Procedures and penalties are specified in the Student Handbook. Campus disciplinary procedures include provisions that allow both the accused and the accuser to have others present during the hearing and to ensure that both are informed of the outcome of the proceeding. University sanctions for anyone found responsible for a sexual assault will be severe and may include suspension from housing, suspension from the university, or expulsion from the university.

Reporting: While victims are encouraged to report crimes to the police, they may instead elect to seek counseling or mental health services and may be assisted by these services or by other campus authorities in reporting the crimes to the police and/or to university officials charged with enforcing the conduct code.

Note: The law prohibits the release of the name, or other personally identifying information, of the victim of a sexual assault without the victim's permission. Similarly, if a victim chooses to report a sexual assault to counselors, they will not reveal a victim's identity to the police or others without permission. The police and counselors may share some demographic data for the purpose of crime statistics, but this does not include the victim's identity.

Victims' Services: Victims may contact the following for crisis services, advocacy, and support:

* Rape Crisis Center of Milford, Inc., 70 W. River St., Milford, CT
(203) 878-1212
* University Health Services, Sheffield Hall, lower level
(203) 932-7079
* University Counseling Service, Sheffield Hall, lower level
(203) 932-7332

Please refer to the UNH Student Handbook for further details.

Changes in Academic and Living Arrangements: Options for and assistance with changes in academic and/or living situations after a sexual assault incident will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if so requested by the victim.

What to Do If You Are the Victim of a Sexual Assault: In any emergency situation call 9-1-1. Be prepared to tell what the emergency is and your location and to give the best possible description of the suspect as well as the suspect's direction of travel.

GET MEDICAL ATTENTION! This is extremely important, not only for the victim's physical and mental well-being but also to document and collect physical evidence. For purposes of evidence collection and preservation it is best that the victim not change clothes or bathe prior to seeking medical attention.

If the assault occurred off campus, you should contact the local police department immediately for assistance. At your request, the University Police will assist you with reporting the incident to the proper officials.
If the assault occurred on campus, call

* The UNH Police Department at 932-7070 or
* The West Haven Police Department at 9-1-1.

Because sexual assaults seldom occur with witnesses present, physical evidence may be crucial in helping to establish the facts of the case or in linking a suspect to the crime. Therefore, to the extent possible, the scene of the assault should be preserved for the police.

Optional Reporting: If you do not wish to report a crime to the police, or would like assistance in doing so, you may contact any UNH faculty or staff member, the UNH Counseling Center, the UNH Health Service Office, or the Milford Rape Crisis Center.

Note: If you choose to report the matter to the police, either directly or with assistance, they will begin their investigation immediately. This will maximize their chances of gathering the amount of evidence necessary to justify an arrest and conviction of the suspect. If you change your mind after making an initial report, the police will not compel you to proceed. Conversely, if you elect not to report the matter to the police initially, but change your mind later, you may do so. However, you need to appreciate that while the police will do their best, delays in beginning the investigation may result in lost physical evidence or otherwise diminish the ability of the police to gather the level of proof necessary to either arrest or convict the perpetrator.

Seeking University Disciplinary Action: If the person who assaulted you is a student, you may seek disciplinary action against this person through the UNH Conduct Board. You may do this regardless of any other criminal or civil action being taken. The University Police will assist you in this process as well.

During the disciplinary process the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have a non-lawyer advisor present. Both the accuser and the accused will be informed of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding that is brought alleging a sex offense. A student found guilty of violating the university sexual misconduct policy may be suspended or expelled from the university for the first offense.