Lenoir-Rhyne University sponsors prevention, intervention and education programs specifically addressing all forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and sexual harassment. The college recognizes the importance of assisting students who are victims of sexual misconduct and helping them to regain a sense of personal control over their lives and the decisions they make.
For more information regarding Lenoir-Rhyne's policies, procedures and programming for sexual misconduct in response to Title IX and Campus SAVE, visit the Title IX website.
If you are sexually assaulted, you should do the following:
- Go to a safe place.
- Do not shower or bathe.
- Do not urinate, if possible.
- Do not eat, drink, smoke or brush your teeth if oral contact took place.
- Do not destroy or wash the clothes you were wearing. If you change, place your clothes in a paper bag.
- Contact your resident director, director of residence life, dean of students, Title IX coordinator, public safety officer and/or Hickory Police Department.
- Seek medical treatment.
Victims of sexual assault are encouraged to file a report with the public safety office and the Hickory Police Department. The filing of a report does not obligate the victim to pursue charges if he/she does not want to pursue them, but does make filing of charges easier if the victim changes his/her mind at a later date. Following the above suggestions will ensure the preservation of evidence.
Options available to sexual assault victims are the university system, criminal prosecution and civil suits. Lenoir-Rhyne University will assist the victim in pursuing whichever option(s) the victim chooses. The university system and the criminal courts are independent systems; charges may be filed in either or both systems.
If you are assaulted and do not want to pursue action with the university or the criminal justice system, you may want to consider making an anonymous report. With your permission, counseling services can file a report on the details of the incident without revealing your identity.
The purpose of an anonymous report is to comply with your wish to keep the matter confidential while taking steps to ensure the future safety of yourself and others. With such information, the university can keep accurate records about the number of incidents involving students; determine where there is a pattern of assaults with regard to a particular location, method, or assailant; and alert the campus community to potential danger.
Resources for Victims of Sexual Assault
- Title IX Coordinator - 828.328.7040
- Dean of Student Life - 828.328.7246
- Office of Counseling Services - 828.328.7252
- Student Health Center - 828.328.7181
- University Public Safety - 828.328.7146 (24 hours)
- Family Guidance Center - 929.322.1400
- Crisis Line - 828.228.1787
- Campus Pastor - 828.328.7248
- Hickory Police Department - 828.328.5551 or 911
If you are the victim of a sexual misconduct, the dean of students and Title IX coordinator can assist you with any academic or living situations if changes are requested and are reasonably available.