Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when this conduct is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work or educational performance, or creates an intimidating, or hostile work or educational environment. Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking often fall under the broader context of Sexual Harassment. One huge misconception regarding sexual assault is that most of the time the perpetrator is a stranger. However, research indicates that approximately 2/3 of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim. Sexual assault is an act of violence, which utilizes power and control over another. Tactics may include force, threats, intimidation, or physical violence. Many victims struggle with identifying whether they have been sexually assaulted due to tactics such as manipulation, restraint, victim blaming, and taking advantage of another’s level of intoxication. An individual who has been victimized by a person they are familiar with may know that they were forced to have sex without their consent or approval, but they may not recognize the fact that it was indeed sexual assault.
A student who has been a victim of sexual harassment (including sexual misconduct or stalking), domestic violence, or dating violence, whether it occurred on or off-campus, has certain resources, rights, and options available. A student who witnesses, is subjected to, or is informed about incidents of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment (including sexual violence), and/or related retaliation also has the right to file a Title IX complaint with the University and receive a prompt and equitable resolution. Even if you choose not to report the incident to the University or to law enforcement, you are encouraged to take steps to preserve evidence. This will ensure that evidence is available if you later decide to proceed with a criminal or university investigation. You are encouraged to go to a hospital and have a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) assess you for physical trauma, sexually-transmitted infections, and pregnancy. A SANE can also collect and preserve evidence of a sexual assault.
Resources including advocacy, counseling, health and medical services, and legal support are all available at the University. Students may also have access to interim measures (e.g., change in housing, class schedules) that may be needed until the resolution of the complaint. Alleged offenders are afforded equal opportunities for representation and access to information regarding the investigation. The confidentiality issues surrounding complaints of this nature are supported as fully as possible for all parties involved.
For more information, please see: titleix.tamu.edu.
To view the University’s sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking policy, please see: https://rules-saps.tamu.edu/PDFs/08.01.01.M1.pdf.
A student or an employee who has experienced sexual harassment (including sexual misconduct or stalking), domestic violence, or dating violence, whether it occurred on or off-campus, has certain resources, rights and options available. A complainant is a person who has allegedly experienced sex or gender based discrimination, harassment, or related retaliation.
A student or an employee who is accused of sexual harassment (including sexual misconduct or stalking), domestic violence, or dating violence, whether it occurred on or off-campus, has certain resources, rights and options available. A respondent is a person who is alleged to have committed sex-based discrimination, harassment, or related retaliation, or to have have acted in complicity with another who has.