Provided by the Kennesaw State University Department of Public Safety


CONTENTS


  • THE KEY ELEMENTS OF RAPE
  • WHAT IS DATE RAPE?
  • KSU CRIME EDUCATION PROGRAMS
  • WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED
  • HELP FOR VICTIMS
  • ON-CAMPUS DISCPLINARY ACTIONS
  • CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS' BILL OF RIGHTS
  • GBI SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY
    THE KEY ELEMENTS OF RAPE

    Rape is a crime of violence in which the rapist overpowers and dominates another person who does NOT consent to the sexual act. Having sex with another person without their consent is always considered rape - even in cases where the victim knows the rapist. The victim is never responsible for rape, which is a serious criminal offense.


    WHAT IS DATE RAPE?

    When we think of rape, we often picture a stranger attacking a woman in a dark alley. But it's important to realize that a boss, co-worker, classmate, date or family member may be a potential rapist. Rape is known as acquaintance or date rape when the victim knows the rapist.

    You might not think that a friend or classmate could be a rapist. Yet there have been many cases where college students have gone on dates that turned into a nightmares --- because the woman was forced to have sex against her will. The important point to remember is that "If she says NO, he needs to stop." Date rape is just as serious as rape by a stranger and, like other acts of sexual assault, it is a criminal offense.


    KSU CRIME EDUCATION PROGRAMS

    The KSU Department of Public Safety sponsors many educational programs to help students and employees become more aware of criminal offenses. These programs provide information on: sexual assault awareness and prevention; date and acquaintance rape; personal safety and security; and campus safety. One program is held each semester and is announced in the student and faculty/staff newspapers, campus flyers, e-mail and University mail.


    WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED

    IF YOU ARE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED, BE SURE TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

  • Report the incident as soon as possible to one of the following:

    * The Department of Public Safety, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Department of Public Safety is located in Building #20, next to the West Parking Deck. If you are on campus, call Ext. 6666. If you are calling from off campus, dial 770-423-6666.

    * The KSU Vice President for Student Success and Enrollment Services, whose office is located in Kennesaw Hall, room 4413. The telephone number is 770-423-6310.

    *Cobb County emergency and police units. Dial 911.

    Remember that most rapists are repeat offenders, and reporting the incident to the police may prevent an attack on another person.

  • Get medical attention.

    It is important to get medical attention --- as soon as possible after the assault --- from a hospital emergency room or a private physician. Treatment may include testing for sexually transmitted diseases, an/or giving medication to prevent pregnancy. Documenting evidence of the sexual assault for use in legal proceedings is also part of the proceedings..

  • KSU students who report an incident of sexual assault to the KSU Department of Public Safety or the Vice President of Student Success and Enrollment Services may be transported and accompanied to the appropriate community-based hospital for medical attention.

  • Be sure to preserve any evidence that may be necessary to prove the assault occurred. Do not shower/bathe, douche, or change or launder any clothing worn during the assault, until you are examined by a doctor.

    NOTE: In cases where a sexual assault victim has bathed, showered, or otherwise compromised potential evidence, he/she should still report the assault, as such actions may not prevent prosecution or conduct proceedings from going forward.


    HELP FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

    If you have ben sexually assaulted and want to get counseling, follow-up medical care or mental health assistance, you may contact the Vice President for Student Success and Enrollment at 770-423-6310 or the KSU Counseling and Advisement Center (CAPS) at 770-423-6600. Also, the YWCA of Cobb County has a Rape Crisis Center, which provides medical and legal advocacy, support groups and individual counseling. You may reach the 24-hour hotline by calling 770-427-3390.

    The Vice President for Student Success and enrollment Services can also provide assistance if you need to make changes in your academic status after an assault has occurred.


    ON-CAMPUS DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

    A KSU student charged with sexual assault under the college's sexual assault policy may be disciplined under the appropriate KSU Student Code of Conduct, as well as prosecuted under Georgia's criminal statutes.

    Whether or not a criminal prosecution occurs, the University retains the right to proceed with disciplinary action at any time. The college need not await the disposition of any such criminal prosecution. The disciplinary action will be handled in accordance with the KSU Student Code of Conduct.

    In cases where a KSU student is charged with sexual assault, the KSU Student Code of Conduct provides that both the accuser and accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a campus disciplinary proceeding. Both the accuser and the accused will also be informed of the outcome of the proceeding.

    Possible sanctions that may be imposed following the final determination of an on-campus disciplinary procedure regarding rape, acquaintance rape, or other sexual offenses may include dismissal/expulsion, suspension or conduct probation.


    CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS' BILL OF RIGHTS

    If you are the victim of a sexual assault on the KSU campus, it's important that you be aware of your legal rights as stated in the "Federal Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights Act of 1991."

  • The right to have any and all sexual assaults against them treated with seriousness; the right, as victims, to be treated with dignity; and the right for campus organizations which assist victims to be accorded recognition.

  • The right to have sexual assaults committed against them investigated and adjudicated by the duly constituted criminal and civil authorities of the governmental entity in which the crimes occurred; and the right to the full and prompt cooperation and assistance of campus personnel in notifying the proper authorities. The foregoing shall be in addition to any campus disciplinary proceedings.

  • The right to be free from any kind of pressure from campus personnel that victims (i) not report crimes committed against them to civil and criminal authorities or to campus law enforcement and disciplinary officials; or (ii) report crimes as lesser offenses than the victims perceive them to be.

  • The right to be free from any kind of suggestion that campus sexual assault victims not report, or underreport, crimes because (i) victims are somehow responsible for the commission of crimes against them; (ii) victims were contributorily negligent or assumed the risk of being assaulted; or (iii) by reporting crimes they would incur unwanted personal publicity.

  • The same right to legal assistance, or ability to have others present, in any campus disciplinary proceeding that the institution permits the accused; and the right to be notified of the outcome of such proceeding.

  • The right to full and prompt cooperation from campus personnel in obtaining, securing and maintaining evidence (including a medical examination) as may be necessary to the proof of criminal sexual assault in subsequent legal proceedings.

  • The right to be made aware of, and assisted in exercising any options, as provided by state and federal laws or regulations, with regard to mandatory testing of sexual assault suspects for communicable diseases and with regard to notification to victims of the results of such testing.

  • The right to counseling from any mental health services previously established by the institution, or by other victim-service entities, or by victims themselves.

  • After campus sexual assaults have been reported, the victims of such crimes shall have the right to require that campus personnel take the necessary steps or actions reasonably feasible to prevent any unnecessary or unwanted contact or proximity with alleged assailants, including transfer of classes if requested by the victims.


    GBI SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY

    Convicted sex offenders are required by law to register their names and addresses with the State of Georgia Department of Corrections. You may obtain State information on individuals registered as sex offenders by visiting the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Sex Offender Registry web site at www.ganet.org/gbi/disclaim.html.


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