Sexual assault is any unwanted physical, emotional or sexual contact. Sexual assault is a form of violence. It encompasses a wide range of sexual actions taken against a person without the person’s consent, against the person’s will, or under force, threat of force or coercion. Legally, consent cannot be given while intoxicated since these states inhibit an aware state of mind. (Excerpt from the Ohio Revised Code)
Ohio University policy #03.004: Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence and Stalking includes sexual harassment and sexual assault, domestic violence and dating violence, and stalking. These behaviors are prohibited as unlawful discriminatory conduct under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 4112.02 of the Revised Code, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 ("VAWA"), and the Campus Sexual Assault Elimination Act ("Campus SaVE Act").
For additional information about the University’s sexual misconduct policy for faculty and staff, the student sexual misconduct process and definitions, visit the website of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance.