UMES is committed to educating students, faculty and staff about the nature and the consequence of sexual assault. Although, the primary focus is preventive, UMES has programs and procedures in place to assist sexual assault victims, provide information about referrals to the criminal justice system and the appropriate university administrative procedures.
Also be sure to see our RAD Page!
Aid to Victims of a Sexual Offense
An individual who claims to be a victim of a sexual offense may notify any administrator of the Campus Police Department. If an administrator is notified of the commission of an alleged sexual offense, the administrator shall immediately direct that individual to the Campus Police Department. The Campus Police Department shall immediately inform the individual claiming to be a victim of a sexual offense (1) of his or her rights; (2) of his or her right to file criminal charges with the appropriate law enforcement authorities; (3) of the importance of preserving evidence necessary to the proof of a criminal sexual offense and prompt notification of law enforcement authorities; (4) of the name and location of the nearest hospitals equipped with the sexual assault evidence collection kit.
Sexual Assault I – By stranger or acquaintance, rape forcible sodomy, or forcible sexual penetration, however slight, of another person’s anal or genial opening with any object. These acts must be committed either by force, threat, intimidation or through the use of the victim’s mental or physical helplessness of which the accused is aware or should have been aware.
Sexual Assault II – By stranger or acquaintance, the touch of an unwilling Person’s intimate parts (defined as genitalia, groin, breast, buttock or clothing covering them) or forcing an unwilling person to touch another’s intimate parts. These acts must be committed either by force, threat, or through the use of the victim’s mental or physical helplessness of which the accused was aware or should have been aware.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore recognizes that sexual assault is a serious issue, and will not tolerate acts of sexual assault on campus. The University will investigate all allegation of sexual assault and take appropriate disciplinary, criminal or legal action with prior consent of the victim.
As soon as convenient, the victim of a sexual assault should report the incident to UMES Department of Public Safety at (410)651-3300, the local police or 911 (if off-campus) and to any university faculty or staff members. Remember it’s the victim’s choice to report the incident to the police, although it should be encouraged. Failure to involve the police limits the victim’s choices. If the victim is agreeable to having the police contacted, call University Police and specifically request a police officer that is the opposite gender of the alleged perpetrator.
Inform the victim that options exist (whom to contact for assistance). Gently encourage the victim to make choices in order to regain some sense of control. Even if no medical emergency exists, emotional impact can be severe and care for a person is essential.
Encourage the victim to call Life Crisis for an advocate. The number is 1-800-422-0009. Another option is to contact the on-call Counselor, from Counseling Center.
The victim should be encouraged to go to the hospital before any attempts to clean herself/himself. Victims should not shower, douche, change clothing or other items that are present after/during the assault, because this can destroy physical evidence that may be needed later for the investigation. Suggest that the victim take a change of clothing to the hospital with him/her.
Explain the purpose of the hospital medical examination procedures, which are to treat injuries, prevent pregnancy STDs and to gather physical evidence that may be needed later for the investigation. Suggest that the victim take a change of clothing to the hospital with him/her.
The University Police, with the victims consent will immediately conduct a criminal investigation or a reported sexual assault. Disciplinary actions may be imposed on recognized individual students, student organizations and/or university faculty or staff found responsible for a sexual assault. University sanction following campus disciplinary procedures depend on the outcome and may range from suspension to expulsion and/or termination.
If a victim refuses to go the hospital or the to police, encourage Him/her to seek help from Residence Life professional staff, Life Crisis, Counselor on-call or Student Health Services.
Every effort will be made to criminally prosecute perpetrator of sexual assaults. The accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities have others present during a campus disciplinary proceeding and both shall be informed of the outcome of the proceeding. After an alleged sexual assault incident occurs, the university will assist the victim in changing academic and living situations if so requested and if such changes are reasonably available.
If you become the victim of sexual assault on or off campus
- GET to a safe place
- CONTACT the Department of Public Safety (or local police if off campus) by dialing 911
- DO NOT shower, bathe, douche, change or destroy clothing
- SEEK medical attention
- SEEK emotional support from local Rape Crisis Center
