How will University Offices Respond?
In the case of reporting a sexual assault, each of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh offices listed below agrees to:
- Meet with you privately to discuss your concerns.
- Maintain your confidentiality to the limits of the law.
- To the degree possible, honor your request for speaking with a female or male staff member.
- If you wish, coordinate our efforts to assist you in the recovery process.
- Listen to you without judgement or blame.
- Answer your questions about the investigation process and explain options.
- Treat you with courtesy, dignity, understanding, and professionalism.
- Consider your case seriously regardless of your gender or the gender of the suspect.
The Counseling Center will respect and affirm your choices, honor your request for a male or female counselor, support you, not judge you, provide caring attention while you make difficult decisions and help you restore your sense of safety. We can help you if you were assaulted some time ago and have not talked about it or feel like it is still having an impact on your life.
The Student Health Center provides follow up medical care for victims of sexual assault. Physicians and nurse practitioners offer screening for pregnancy and STD's, provide emergency contraception and referral services. The Health Center does not provide legal rape exams. Victims desiring a legally documented exam for rape should go to the Mercy Medical Center Emergency Room as soon as possible after the assault.
The Dean of Students Office will insure you receive the support and assistance you need and outline your options. Disciplinary action can be taken if the offender is a student. Assistance for changing academic and living situations may also be available. The alleged perpetrator may face the following: reassignment to another residence hall, restriction from residence hall(s), restriction from eating in a particular commons and no contact with the complainant.
The University Police will respect your dignity and insure that your medical, psychological and safety needs are being met. Once a report is made the University Police are required to investigate it. Ultimately, the District Attorney makes the decision about pursuing legal charges. The sooner an assault is reported the better for the investigation and prosecution.
The Department of Residence Life will provide support and understanding, identify resources that are available to you and will serve as a connection to the offices identified above and the services they can provide. Residence Life will ensure that your privacy within your living community is protected. We will do all that we can to help you feel safe in your living environment and help you find the support that you need.
The Campus Victim Advocates provide you with support and information about your legal and disciplinary options. Advocates can attend medical or legal appointments with you, speak up for your rights in any community or campus actions you might choose to pursue; provide you with ongoing support and information, and help with "safety planning," such as filing restraining or no-contact orders and making changes in your residence hall or classes to avoid contact with the person who hurt you.