If You Experience Sexual Misconduct

Your safety and wellbeing are important. If you experience sexual misconduct, you have choices regarding the support, resources, and reporting options available to you. The information below outlines resources and actions you may choose to consider. Not every option will be relevant to every situation, so please review the list and use the resources that best meet your needs. 

Get to a Safe Location

Go to a safe location as soon as you can and contact someone you trust.

If You Are in Danger

If you are in immediate danger or need emergency assistance, call 911. 

If You Need Immediate Assistance

If you are not in danger but need immediate assistance, contact one of the following resources.

On the Athens campus
Ohio University Police Department (OUPD) — 740-593-1911

In Athens but not on-campus
Athens Police Department (APD) — 740-593-6006

In another location
Contact the local police agency. Most locations have a 911 service.

Seek Medical Attention

Seek immediate medical attention of you are injured or believe you were exposed to a sexually transmitted infection or potential pregnancy.

Consider Preserving Evidence

Consider preserving evidence to keep options available as you decide what steps, if any, you would like to take.

• After a sexual assault, consider delaying showering or bathing until you have decided whether you would like a sexual assault forensic examination (sometimes called a SANE exam). If possible, also avoid using the restroom, eating, drinking, smoking, brushing your teeth, or changing clothes before the exam.
• If you have already done any of these things, you can still receive medical care and may still choose to have a forensic examination.
• Save the clothes you were wearing, unwashed and preferably in a paper bag, along with any sheets, towels, or other items that may have been in contact with you during or immediately after the assault.
• Physical evidence can deteriorate over time, so obtaining a medical exam as soon as possible at a facility with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs)  can help preserve evidence and address health concerns. SANEs are specially trained to collect forensic evidence, assess injuries, discuss risks related to sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, and connect you with additional resources.
• Policies regarding law enforcement involvement vary by jurisdiction and healthcare facility. A SANE nurse, advocate, or healthcare provider can explain your options regarding evidence collection, reporting, and interaction with law enforcement. You may contact the Survivor Advocacy Program (740.597.7233, 24-hour hotline) for support throughout this process.
• Consider taking photographs of any injuries or property damage and preserving communications that may be relevant, such as emails, text messages, social media messages, or screenshots of content that may disappear, including Snapchat messages.

Reach Out for Confidential Support

You are not alone.

Campus and community resources can provide emotional support, advocacy, and information about your options. It may be helpful to seek confidential support as you consider what steps, if any, you would like to take moving forward. 

Consider contacting one or more of the Support Resources available on campus and in the community for support and assistance in exploring your options. Some of these resources are confidential and are generally not required to report to Civil Rights Compliance or law enforcement. Confidentiality may be limited in circumstances involving an imminent risk of serious harm, suspected abuse or neglect of a minor, or when disclosure is otherwise required by law or court order. 

Most Ohio University employees are not confidential resources and are considered mandatory reporters under University policy. If they learn of possible sexual misconduct, they are expected to share that information with Civil Rights Compliance so that information about resources, supportive measures, and response options can be provided. While mandatory reporters must make a report, information is generally shared only with those who have a legitimate need to know in order to respond to the report and is not disclosed unnecessarily. A report to Civil Rights Compliance does not automatically result in an investigation.

Consider Reporting

Consider whether you would like to make a report to Civil Rights Compliance and/or law enforcement. You may choose to report immediately, later, or not at all, depending on your needs and circumstances. You can choose to take any, all, or none of the following actions. 

• Make a report to Civil Rights Compliance (CRC). If you make a report, a CRC staff member will reach out to provide information about resources, supportive measures, reporting options, and available processes. Talking with CRC does not mean that you must request an investigation or take any additional action.
• Make a report to law enforcement. Making a report does not obligate you to pursue criminal charges. Law enforcement can explain your options, the reporting process, and the extent to which your participation may be requested if an investigation moves forward.
• Pursue a civil legal remedy. You may choose to consult with a private attorney about initiating a civil legal process against the other person.

Ohio University prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports sexual misconduct, seeks supportive measures, participates in an investigation, or chooses not to participate. Individuals should be able to report concerns, seek assistance, and make decisions about their involvement without fear of intimidation, harassment, or other adverse treatment. The exercise of rights protected by the First Amendment does not constitute retaliation.

Sometimes, students are concerned that reporting sexual misconduct might lead to them or their friends being charged with violations of the Student Code of Conduct because they were violating University alcohol- or drug-related policies at the time of the incident. To encourage reporting and candid participation in the grievance process, students who participate in the process, including complainants, respondents, and witnesses, will not be charged with alcohol- or drug-related violations of the Student Code of Conduct arising from their personal use of alcohol or drugs during the incident in which the alleged violation occurred. 

This amnesty applies only to personal alcohol or drug use during the incident in question and does not extend to other potential violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Amnesty does not apply to a respondent who is alleged to have used alcohol or drugs to facilitate conduct that violates University Policy 03.004.