Sexual Assault
Case Western Reserve University is a community dependent upon trust and
respect for its constituent members: students, faculty, and staff. Sexual
assault is a violation of that trust and respect, and it will not be tolerated.
All students, faculty, and staff of the university should familiarize themselves with the Case Sexual Assault policy. An individual who violates this policy may be subject to criminal prosecution and civil litigation.
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is a serious crime. Any nonconsensual physical contact of a
sexual nature is a sexual assault. Rape, statutory rape, incest, forced sodomy,
sexual assault with an object, and fondling are examples of sexual assault.
Lack of consent is the crucial factor in any sexual assault. Persons forced
to engage in sexual contact by force, threat of force, or coercion have not
consented to contact. Persons acting under the influence of alcohol or other
substances may be incapable of consent. Age or mental capacity may render
consent impossible.
Reporting
The university strongly encourages persons who have been
sexually assaulted to report the assault, to seek assistance and to pursue
judicial action or sanctions for their own protection and that of the entire
campus community.
To preserve the option of pursuing criminal sanctions or Case internal
disciplinary processes, a person should report the sexual assault to the
university and/or the local police. The university recognizes that a person who
has been sexually assaulted retains the right not to pursue either criminal
prosecution or a university judicial proceeding. However, the university
strongly encourages those who have been sexually assaulted to pursue internal
disciplinary and/or criminal processes. If a person who has been sexually
assaulted chooses to pursue internal disciplinary procedures, he or she can
expect a supportive response by the university throughout the disciplinary
process. Reporting options are listed below. In addition, graduate and
professional students can report an incident of sexual assault to their
respective student affairs office.
- Case Protective Services (24 hours): 216.368.3333
- University Circle Police (24 hours): 216.368.2222
- Cleveland Police Sex Crimes Unit: 216.623.5630 or 911
- Cleveland Heights Police: 216.321.1234 or 911
- Office of Student Affairs: 216.368.2020
- Housing, Residence & Greek Life: 216.368.3780
- Human Resources: 216.368-6675
Once a report of sexual assault is made, the university may be obligated to
alert the campus community of the report. The university is obligated to alert
the campus of crimes that it determines represent a threat to members of the
campus community. In making such determinations, the university will consider
the safety of students, faculty, and staff as well as the privacy interests of
all persons involved in such incidents. Regardless of the action taken by the
university, the names of any person involved will not appear on security alerts.
The university urges anyone who has been sexually assaulted to report the
incident at any time. However, prompt reporting may preserve options that
delayed reporting does not, including the preservation of physical evidence,
crisis counseling, and immediate police response.
Medical and Psychological Assistance
Emergency Room Examination. Any person who has been sexually
assaulted may go directly to the University Hospitals’ emergency room or any
local hospital for medical attention. However, it is important to note that the
preservation of physical evidence is critical in the event of criminal
prosecution and may be useful if university disciplinary action is pursued.
University Health Service. Students can seek further
treatment at the University Health Service for any
medical concerns including sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy testing.
Counseling. Counseling may be pursued following a sexual
assault, no matter how much time has elapsed since the incident. Counseling
services are confidential except when disclosure is necessary to prevent
imminent harm to self or others. Available options, on and off campus, are
listed below. To inquire about other community counseling resources, please call
216-368-5872. All inquiries are confidential.
University Sanction/Criminal Prosecution
Anyone who has been sexually assaulted may choose to pursue both criminal
prosecution and university disciplinary processes. Regardless of whether
criminal charges are filed, all members of the university community accused of
sexual assault may be subject to university judicial action or sanctions, up to
and including expulsion or termination from employment. In the Case of student
judicial proceedings, both the accused and the accuser are entitled to due
process, to the presence of an advocate during hearings, and to notification of
the outcome of the proceedings. In the aftermath of a sexual assault, the
university will accommodate requests for alternative living, working, and
academic arrangements as available and appropriate.
Due to the sensitive and traumatic nature of sexual assault, specially
trained members of the university are available to help anyone who has been
sexually assaulted understand the many options open to him or her. A member of
the Sexual Assault Response Team may be contacted by calling:
- 216.368.5872 - Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- 216.844.8892 - After 5 p.m., weekends and holidays
The caller should tell the operator that this is an emergency or that a
sexual assault has occurred. Conversations with members of the response team are
confidential, except when disclosure is necessary to prevent imminent harm to
self or others.
When medical attention or police assistance is needed, call 216.368.3333 for
Case Protective Services, 216.368.2222 for University Circle Police, or 911 for
local police.