Boston University’s statement on its sexual assault policy
In our back-to-school guide, two Boston University students suggested that BU could improve its response to sexual assaults on campus. Colin Riley, a spokesman for the university, issued the following statement in response:
Boston University Police Department patrol officers are specially trained to respond to these types of incidents, including how to communicate with an individual dealing with a traumatic experience and how to secure the crime scene and gather evidence. BUPD detectives receive in-depth training and are certified sexual assault investigators by either the Massachusetts State Police or the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Commission. The department also assists individuals in obtaining abuse and harassment prevention orders from the courts and coordinates investigations with the University’s Title IX Coordinator.
We have the assistance of local police departments, if necessary, and complainants have the option for those departments to investigate the crime. Once an incident is fully investigated, BUPD works with the local District Attorney to prosecute the case. The DA decides what, if any, charges will be brought.
Our Sexual Assault Response and Prevention (SARP) Center was established in 2012 and directs our prevention efforts, including Step Up, Step In, BU (SUSIBU), the bystander intervention training we give to Residence Life staff, student leaders, athletes and thousands of other students, faculty and staff. As you may know, all of our incoming students attend Orientation programs on a wide range of important issues, including campus safety and sexual misconduct. Skits written and performed by current students are presented at Orientation to illustrate potentially risky situations with regard to sexual misconduct and/or alcohol use.
We have been – and remain – committed to investigating every allegation of sexual misconduct, supporting students who are victims of sexual misconduct, holding perpetrators of sexual misconduct accountable, and educating members of our community to help prevent sexual misconduct. We have 40 deputy Title IX coordinators on both campuses serving in each of our 17 schools and colleges and several student-related administrative offices to ensure that students affected by sexual misconduct can turn to someone in their own school, college or residence hall for help.
In addition, we have increased our support network on campus to ensure that professional, confidential counseling resources are available to all students affected by sexual misconduct. Counselors are available 24 hours a day at SARP. Additional information, including area resources, is provided there as well. SARP was created to provide confidential care and support for victims of sexual assault while simultaneously promoting awareness and prevention through educational programs. SARP has, among its many efforts, initiated the bystander intervention training mentioned above and an alcohol education program that is mandatory for all our students.
Sexual misconduct violates the University’s Code of Student Responsibilities and students who engage in sexual misconduct are held accountable under the University’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct and the Judicial Process; and as stated above, our Boston University Police Department assists students who pursue criminal charges through the Massachusetts court system.
We are committed to ensuring that our campus is as safe and welcoming an environment as we can make it. We will continue to enforce our rules and policies and to work with appropriate public authorities to address issues that arise. We also will continue our work to provide ongoing training and support that will help prevent instances of violence.
Importantly, the materials and websites of all our schools and colleges have a uniform policy that is maintained and updated by the Title IX coordinator. The Sexual Harassment Policy as well as the University’s sexual misconduct policies have a robust and consistent set of definitions, including definitions of “sexual assault,’’ “consent,’’ “responsible employee,’’ and “confidentiality.’’ The disciplinary appeal procedure is clearly outlined in the Code of Student Responsibilities (our general disciplinary code) and Sexual Misconduct and the Judicial Process, the document that describes procedures that apply to student-against-student complaints of sexual misconduct. We have written guidelines outlining the duties and responsibilities of the University’s Deputy Title IX Coordinators and have updated incident report forms, our description of investigation procedures, and our written communications to students accused of policy violations.
In addition, there are programs throughout the year on a range of wellness and prevention topics. Please review the SARP website as well as the Campus Safety website.
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