Introduction
The Vincennes University Student Creed states “As a Vincennes University student,
I commit to a code of civilized behavior. I will practice personal academic integrity;
I will respect the dignity of all persons, including myself; I will respect the rights
of others; I will not condone bigotry; I will strive for the openness to learn from
differences in people, ideas and opinions; I will demonstrate concern for others,
their feelings, and their need for conditions which support their work and development.
Allegiance to these ideals requires me to refrain from behavior that threatens the
freedom and respect every individual deserves.” The Campus Sexual Assault Victim Bill
of Rights is a federal law that exists as part of the Higher Education Act.
Bill of Rights
The following Rights shall be accorded to victims of sexual assault that occur:
- On the campus of any public institution of higher education,
- Where the victim or alleged perpetrator is a student at that institution, and/or
- When the victim is a student involved in an off campus sexual assault.
Students have the following rights:
Human Dignity Rights
- To be free from any suggestion that victims must report the crimes to be assured of
any other right guaranteed under this policy.
- To have any allegations of sexual assault treated seriously; the right to be treated
with dignity.
- To be free from any suggestion that victims are responsible for the commission of
crimes against them.
- To be free from any pressure from campus personnel to:
- report crimes if the victim does not wish to do so,
- report crimes as lesser offenses than the victim perceives the crime to be,
- refrain from reporting crimes, or
- refrain from reporting crimes to avoid unwanted personal publicity.
Rights To Resources On and Off Campus
- To be notified of existing campus and community based medical, counseling, mental
health and student services for victims of sexual assault whether or not the crime
is formally reported to campus or civil authorities.
- To have access to campus counseling under the same terms and conditions as apply to
other students in their institution seeking such counseling.
- To be informed of and assisted in exercising:
- any rights to confidential or anonymous testing for sexually transmitted diseases,
human immunodeficiency virus, and/or pregnancy
- any rights that may be provided by law to compel and disclose the results of testing
of sexual assault suspects for communicable diseases.
Campus Judicial Rights
- To be afforded the same access to legal assistance as the accused.
- To be afforded the same opportunity to have others present during any campus disciplinary
proceeding that is allowed the accused.
- To be notified of the outcome of the sexual assault disciplinary proceeding against
the accused.
Legal Rights
• To have any allegation of sexual assault investigated and adjudicated by the appropriate
criminal and civil authorities of the jurisdiction in which the sexual assault is
reported.
• To receive full and prompt cooperation and assistance of campus personnel in notifying
the proper authorities.
• To receive full, prompt, and victim sensitive cooperation of campus personnel with
regard to obtaining, securing, and maintaining evidence, including a medical examination
when it is necessary to preserve evidence of the assault.
• To be free from any suggestion that victims were contributory negligent or assumed
the risk of being assaulted.
Campus Intervention Rights
• To require campus personnel to take reasonable and necessary actions to prevent
further unwanted contact of victims by their alleged assailants.
• To be notified of the options for and provided assistance in changing academic and
living situations if such changes are reasonably available.
Statutory Mandates
Each campus must guarantee that this Bill of Rights is implemented. It is the obligation
of the individual campus governing board to examine resources dedicated to services
required to implement the Bill of Rights and to make appropriate requests to increase
or reallocate resources where necessary to ensure implementation. Each campus shall
make every reasonable effort to ensure that every student at that institution receives
a copy of this document. Nothing in this "Campus Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights"
shall be construed to preclude or in any way restrict any public or independent institution
of higher education in the State from reporting any suspected crime or offense to
the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
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