Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

CAMPUS LIFE
Student Services

Sexual Assault Policy

Definition of Sexual Assault:

Sexual assault includes any of the following:

1. Any threat or physical attempt of intentional, non-consensual touching of:

a) An intimate body part of another person, such as a sexual organ, buttocks or breast;

b) Any body part of another person using a sexual organ; OR

c) Any part of another person’s body with the intent of accomplishing a sexual act.

2. Forcing, or attempting to force, any other person to engage in sexual activity of any kind without her/his consent.

Consent/assent (an affirmative statement or action) shall not constitute consent if it is given by a person who is unable to make a reasonable judgment concerning the nature or harmfulness of the activity because of his/her intoxication; unconsciousness; mental deficiency or incapacity; or if the assent is the product of threat or coercion.

Sexual assault is defined and prosecuted as a Federal felony offense. Discipline by Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology does not take the place of, nor prevent, further prosecution by law enforcement agencies.

Definition of Statutory Rape:
Statutory sexual assault is sexual intercourse with an individual under the age of 16 years when the offender is four or more years older than the individual and the individual and the offender are not married to each other. This is a felony of the second degree under Pennsylvania law. Actual determination of statutory rape would take place in a court of law.

PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT

1. ACT IMMEDIATELY!

2. Get to a safe place.

3. Preserve all physical evidence! Do not shower; brush your teeth; or eat or drink anything. It is natural to want to clean up, but this may eliminate any legal evidence that substantiates the incident. If you change your clothes, you must put them in a paper bag (not plastic) to take to the hospital.

4. Contact a campus resource immediately. Consider: Campus Security, the Student Health Center, Director for Residence Life, Counseling staff, a Residence Hall Advisor, or the Women’s Center. Phones for emergency use are located outside the following: the Multipurpose Activities Center, Armstrong Hall, Herrington Hall, Metzger Hall, Bourne Hall, Brenner Hall, the Schuler Learning Resources Center, the Schwalm Student Center,ones Dining Hall, Hartzell Hall (south entrance), Hartzell Hall (north entrance), as well as Kreider, Leonard, and Snyder Halls. These phones will gain you direct access to security.

5. Contact the 24-hour Hotline at the Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center (SAPCC) 1-800-392-7273.

6. Seek medical attention with the assistance of College staff and a SAPCC counselor. Lancaster General Hospital is highly recommended because of its expertise in sexual assault cases. Even if you feel fine, a medical exam will collect any physical evidence, generate a medical report and provide you with information on the prevention of possible STDs and pregnancy.

7. Report the incident to College officials. Complete a Sexual Assault Confidential Report form, which can be obtained from one of the above listed campus resources. An internal investigation will be conducted by the College’s Affirmative Action Officer and the Vice President for Student Services, at which time follow-up services will be offered to the victim. Upon closure of the investigation, the victim will be provided with a letter summarizing the findings of the formal investigation and subsequent disciplinary action. If the victim is not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation, an appeal of the investigation will be brought to the discipline committee.

8. Consider filing legal charges against the offender. An investigation and disciplinary action by Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology does not take the place of nor prevent further prosecution by law enforcement agencies.

9. The number to services provided by sexual assault counselors at YWCA is 717-392-7273 - a 24 hour hotline.