Victim's Rights Provisions

It is APSU’s responsibility to assure students who report an incident of sexual misconduct that: 

• Victims will have the opportunity to request prompt proceedings and that a fair, and impartial investigation and resolution will occur

• University officials will treat the incident seriously and that the incident will be investigated and adjudicated by appropriate criminal and/or University officials. Proceedings shall be conducted by officials trained on sexual assault and other intimate partner violence issues, and shall use preponderance of the evidence standard (which is “more likely than not” and the standard used by civil courts in the United States).

• Victims will be treated with dignity, respect, and in a non-judgmental manner.

• University officials will inform victims of their option to notify appropriate law enforcement authorities, including on-campus security and local police, and offer assistance in notifying proper authorities when an individual discloses an incident of sexual misconduct.

• University personnel will not discourage anyone from reporting, nor encourage them to under-report or report the incident as a lesser crime.

• University personnel will cooperate in obtaining, securing and maintaining evidence (including a medical examination) necessary in legal/criminal proceedings.

• University officials will prohibit retaliation and will not only take steps to prevent retaliation but also take strong responsive action if it occurs.  They will also follow up with complaints to determine whether any retaliation or new incidents of harassment have occurred.

• Victims will be provided with written notification of on and off campus available services for mental health, victim advocacy, legal assistance, and other available community resources.

• Victims will honor and can obtain no contact/restraining orders or enforce an order already in existence to prevent unnecessary or unwanted contact or proximity to an alleged perpetrator when reasonably available. 

• Victims will be afforded the opportunity to request immediate on-campus housing relocation or other steps to prevent unnecessary or unwanted contact or proximity to an alleged perpetrator when reasonably available. 

• Victims are informed that he/she is entitled to be accompanied to any related meeting or proceeding by an advisor of their choice, knowing that the respondent also has the same opportunity to have others present during any proceeding.

• Victims are informed that he/she is entitled to receive, in writing, of the final results within one business day of such outcome being reached.