Policies

University PoliciesPhoto of book pages

General information about all policies from the Office of the Dean of Students

Reporting to the University – Find out how to report IPV to the University.

Reporting Forms for students

Sexual Assault Response Plan – Read the official document on how the university responds to sexual assault against a student

Harassment, Including Sexual Misconduct, and Discrimination policy for students and staff

The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance explains the expectations of students and offenses which violate the Honor Code, including “Conduct Affecting Persons” under “Student Conduct Adversely Affecting Members of University Community or the University.” Please note, until August 1, 2012, the policy against sexual misconduct was enforced through the UNC’s Honor System. Incidents of physical or emotional violence, including hazing, harassment, and stalking, still fall under this policy; sexual harassment and sexual misconduct are included in the Harassment, Including Sexual Misconduct, and Discrimination policy. You can find a PDF of the Instrument here.

Looking for another policy at UNC? Check out this page.

Local and State Laws and Policies

Reporting to the Police

Sexual Assault, Harassment, and Stalking

The Orange County Sexual Assault Response Team consists of agencies which will come into contact with survivors of sexual assault. SARTs allow professionals from service agencies to meet together in a spirit of collaboration and communication to better serve the needs of the community. The guiding principle behind the SART program is to join health care, law enforcement, judiciary, and victim advocacy in a coordinated effort to ensure survivors of sexual assault receive comprehensive medical attention, evidentiary examinations, emotional support and referral information. SART has put together guidelines for a variety of professionals who support survivors, as follows:

For more information about SART, please contact Orange County Rape Crisis Center at 919-968-4647 to speak to the Crisis Response Coordinator.

In North Carolina, criminal sex offenses include, but are not limited to, such things as rape, statutory rape, sexual offense, peeping, sexual harassment, stalking, cyber-stalking, and indecent exposure (North Carolina Coaltion Against Sexual Assault, 2007).  This definition includes anal and oral penetration as well as vaginal penetration with a finger or object.

The State of North Carolina Statute defines rape as “Vaginal intercourse by force, without consent, or with a victim whom the perpetrator knows is mentally disabled, mentally incapacitated or physically helpless.”  Force includes both psychological coercion and physical force.

Abusive Relationships

In North Carolina, there is no specific crime of domestic violence, but the abuser may have committed one or more of the crimes listed on the NC General Statute Chapter 14, Criminal Law Section:

Source: WomensLaw.org

Federal Law

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. All public and private elementary and secondary schools, school districts, colleges, and universities receiving any Federal funds must comply with Title IX. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment or sexual violence, such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion.

What are a school’s responsibilities to students?

Title IX states that a school has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to a complaint of sexual harassment or sexual violence (including relationship violence and stalking); If a school knows or reasonably should know about sexual harassment or sexual violence that creates a hostile environment, the school must take immediate action to investigate to determine what occurred and then take appropriate steps to resolve and eliminate the sexual harassment or sexual violence, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects.

Title IX Prohibits Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Where You Go to School.

“Sexual violence in schools and on campus is a pressing civil rights issue: when students suffer sexual assault and harassment, they are deprived of equal and free access to an education. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that receives federal funding. Title IX is a powerful tool for students who want to combat sexual violence at school and on college campuses. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment, rape, and sexual assault.” Read more:  Title IX information from the ACLU