Northern Illinois University will not tolerate sexual assault, rape, or sexual abuse of any kind against students, staff, faculty, or visitors. Internal complaints of sexual assaults filed against students will be investigated and appropriate disciplinary action taken as determined by the university judicial system.
In an on-going effort to prevent sexual assaults and in addition to providing various security measures, the university is committed to making available, through a variety of channels, relevant educational information and programs. It is university policy to inquire into whether publicly registered, previously convicted sexual offenders are among students proposing to reside in university housing (NIU Residence Hall Contract, Sec. IIIE). It is university policy to comply with all federal- and state-related statutes for reporting and publishing sexual assault statistics.
Every victim of a sexual assault maintains the personal right to file criminal charges with the appropriate local law enforcement agency in addition to filing an incident report within the university. The university makes known these rights and will reasonably assist students in such filings when requested. For more information about pursuing a criminal charge, individuals may call the University Police (753-1212) or the University Judicial Office (753-1572), or contact any other IVRT office (see Section F, below). Ultimately, the decision to report the crime or make a complaint is up to the individual complainant. A victim who delays in filing a charge may jeopardize an investigation. Should a criminal complaint be filed, it will be helpful for the complainant to provide the police with all relevant details and available evidence. Forensic evidence that supports a legal case against an assailant should be collected as soon as possible, preferably within a few hours (see Section E, "Health Care After a Sexual Assault," below). Victims are advised not to bathe, douche, shower or change clothes prior to the examination, in order to preserve evidence.
Victims of any sexual assault are encouraged to seek health care services such as those offered by the University Health Service during hours of operation and, at night and on weekends, at the Kishwaukee Hospital Emergency Room. (Victims may have the assistance of advocates provided by Sexual Assault/Abuse Services who will come to the Emergency Room at the hospital.) As appropriate, medical services include being examined for physical injury and/or disease, being made aware of the risk of pregnancy and, if considering criminal action, collecting physical evidence that supports a legal case against an assailant. Such evidence should be collected as soon as possible, preferably within a few hours (see Section D, "Pursuing Criminal Charges," above).
The Interpersonal Violence Response Team at NIU provides emergency and follow-up services to student victims of sexual assault. All such services are confidential. These services include but are not limited to the following:
Information and programs concerning sexual assault, its nature and prevention, are coordinated by the Counseling and Student Development Center for students, and by Human Resource Services for employees. Such interventions may include mandatory sexual assault prevention workshops for all incoming students, posters and flyers posted in living units and university buildings, advertisements in the Northern Star and presentations/workshops in classes, living units and other relevant settings.
As detailed in Section B above, the victim has a right to privacy and to make the decision to file or not file a report. IVRT offices may not reveal the victim's name or other identifying information concerning the incident that could compromise the victim's privacy without his/her consent, except where a clearly documented, compelling good faith legal compulsion to disclose exists. In addition, agencies such as the Counseling and Student Development Center and the University Health Service are further bound by state statutes and professional ethics from disclosure without written releases. In circumstances in which it is necessary for the university to take steps to protect the safety of the victim and/or the university community, it should be done in a manner which would foreseeably not compromise the privacy of the victim.
IVRT team officers make anonymous reports (no name or other identifying information which can lead to the identity of the victim) of sexual assaults on a standard IVRT Report form to the IVRT Coordinator (a designee by the Vice President of Student Affairs from one of the IVRT offices). The IVRT coordinator may share information from these forms with other IVRT offices for planning/team coordination purposes and, as necessary, for data for official university statistical reporting as required by statute.
As a matter of reasonable mutuality and respect for university fact-finding interests and victim privacy interests, the victim and any witnesses to an incident should limit or avoid personal discussion of the details of the incident to public media representatives. This forbearance on the part of the victim and any other witnesses is necessary and appropriate to avoid jeopardizing the integrity and utility of relevant investigations.
This committee, composed of campus and community law enforcement and service providers, serves as the community task force specified in state mandate 110 ILCS 12/10 for the purpose of "coordinating with community leaders and service providers to prevent sexual assaults and to ensure a coordinated response both in terms of law enforcement and victim services." The Division of Student Affairs coordinates the Committee/Task Force.
In summary, the university makes a reinforced good faith effort through security measures, education, and policy to reduce the prevalence of sexual assault. University policy and intentions notwithstanding, the potential arises in any environment for problems such as sexual assault to occur. It is the university's intention in these instances to treat all involved parties humanely and within the bounds of law and policy.
This document is intended to comply with relevant parts of the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, as amended, 20 USC 1092(f), and the implementing federal regulations, 34. CFR 668.47(a)(12). This Policy Statement may be amended by the university as necessary to conform to future changes in state and federal law.
Northern Illinois University Policy