Policy Against Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault

Gustavus Adolphus College considers any form of sexual assault to be a very serious offense, which will not be tolerated in its community. The College will assist any student, faculty member, or staff member who is a victim of sexual assault and will discipline any person who violates its policy against sexual assault.

What Is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is any physical contact of a sexual nature that occurs by force or coercion or that is directed at a person who is physically helpless or mentally impaired or incapacitated. Mental incapacitation includes intoxication. Sexual assault is not limited to sexual intercourse.

The College also has a “Policy against Harassment,” which includes sexual harassment. All members of the Gustavus community should read and be familiar with the College’s “Policy against Harassment,” as well as the policy against sexual assault. If you are not sure whether you have been sexually harassed or sexually assaulted, or both, speak with one of the College staff members listed below or a harassment adviser or grievance officer.

What to Do if You or Someone You Know Has Been Sexually Assaulted

If you need immediate help, first, get to a safe place. This can be your room, a friend’s room or any comfortable place. Your immediate safety is the most important thing.

Gustavus has a trained Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), consisting of Gustavus staff, available to respond to students who have experienced sexual assault. They are available to provide support, information and assist with resource referrals. They will keep the circumstances of the assault as confidential as possible. A member of the team can be reached 24 hours a day by contacting Campus Safety at (507) 933-8888. Ask to speak with a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) member and the officer will contact a member of the team. You do not share details with the officer, they will just ask how to contact you.

SART members also can be contacted during business hours:

  • Patty Dawson, Team Leader, Health Service (507) 933-7165
  • Andrea Junso, Student Activities (507) 933-7598
  • Sara Sletten, Community Service (507) 933-6018
  • Jason Stratman, Environmental Health (507) 933-7494

Off Campus Resources:

  • Crime Victim Services 24 hour Safeline (800) 630-1425
  • St. Peter Police Department (507) 931-1550
  • Nicollet County Sheriff (507) 931-1570

What to do if you are sexually assaulted:

  1. Always, as mentioned above, get to a safe place.
  2. If you think you want evidence collected, do not bathe, shower, brush your teeth or go to the bathroom. This is important for preserving evidence.
  3. If you want to have a pill to prevent pregnancy (Plan B is available in Health Service or at some pharmacies) you should take the medication within 72 hours.
  4. If you are concerned or would like STI testing, staff in Health Service can assist with this or local clinics as well.
  5. If you think you want to make an official report on campus or police report, assistance will be provided by a SART member or someone from Crime Victim Services.
  6. GET SUPPORT. No matter what decisions you make you have done the best you can. You deserve to have all resources available.

Sexual Assault Victim’s Rights

As stated above, you have the right to file criminal charges with local law enforcement authorities and, upon request, are entitled to assistance from the College in notifying local law enforcement authorities.

You have the right to obtain assistance from the Crime Victims Reparations Board and the Office of Crime Victims Ombudsman:
1821 University Avenue North
N465 Griggs-Midway Building
St. Paul, MN 55104
Phone: 1-800-247-0390.

You have the right to file a complaint with the College and have your sexual assault complaint investigated by the College and the right to participate in any disciplinary proceedings regarding the sexual assault complaint. If you wish, you may have a support person (or an attorney, if you are represented by one) present with you at such proceedings.

The College will notify you as to the outcome of any disciplinary proceeding regarding your complaint subject to the limitations of state and federal laws relating to data privacy practices.
The College will also promptly assist you, at the direction of law enforcement authorities, in obtaining, securing and maintaining evidence in connection with the sexual assault incident. The College will also assist you in preserving any materials relevant to a campus disciplinary proceeding.

The College will, in cooperation with law enforcement authorities, shield you from unwanted contact with the alleged assailant, including the transfer of the victim to alternative classes or alternative College-owned housing, if these options are available and feasible.

Confidentiality

The College will respect the confidentiality of the sexual assault victim and the alleged offender(s) as much as possible, consistent with the College’s legal obligations.

Ongoing Support

Because of the traumatic nature of sexual assault, victims are strongly encouraged to seek professional help. On campus, free and confidential counseling services are available at the Counseling Center in Johnson Student Union.

If you would like to receive more information about your options for pressing charges, for reporting an incident, for filing internal complaints, or for counseling, please contact the College staff members whose names and phone numbers are listed above.

There are also support resources outside the College community. The College Counseling Center maintains a list of local therapists, including licensed psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists in private practice. While the cost of counseling outside the College is not covered for students by College insurance, many have insurance benefits through their parents that will cover all or part of the cost of such counseling.