Sexual Assault Policy

The United States Congress enacted the "Campus Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights"in 1992 as a part of Public Law: 102-325, section 486 (c). This law requires that all colleges and universities (both public and private) participating in federal student aid programs afford sexual assault victims certain basic rights.

The College is committed to preventing this violence through incorporation of educational programming and the adoption of clear guidelines informing students, faculty, and staff of the College's procedures in handling such cases. Sexual assault crimes are heinous, and these crimes occurring on the College campus will not be tolerated under any circumstances. College community members found guilty of any sexual assault crime will be severely dealt with through the appropriate College office.

Definition

The College shall refer to the Louisiana Criminal Law and Procedure Handbook to determine when a sexual assault has occurred.

Educational Programs

The Counseling Center will present seminars each semester to promote awareness of rape, acquaintance rape, and other forcible and non-forcible sex offenses.

Guidelines for Reporting Sexual Assault

Victims of on-campus sexual assault are advised to adhere to the following important guidelines:

Preservation of Evidence:

1. Do not bathe, shower, douche, or change clothes.
2. Do not disturb the crime scene; save all clothing and items involved.
3. Do not brush teeth, drink anything, or smoke a cigarette until you have been examined.

Although adhering to the above guidelines is most difficult under such traumatic conditions, the victim aids law enforcement agencies in the preservation of evidence when following these three recommendations.

Procedures for Reporting Assault and Receiving Help

1. Report the assault either in person or by telephone (318) 678-6013 to Campus Security. If the victim chooses a telephone, give present location in order that police may come to the victim and personally take a report in a private atmosphere. Campus Security will notify the Bossier City Police Department. Even if you don't want to file charges, you can file an informational report that may help the police locate the attacker. A counselor from the BPCC Counseling Center will be present, if possible, during the taking of the report.
2. Following the report given to the police, the victim is strongly advised to seek medical assistance from a local hospital. Call the YWCA Sexual Assault 24-hour Crisis Line at 222-0556. A volunteer escort will meet you at the hospital, stay with him/her through the medical examination and during conversation with the police, and provide support to ease the victim's pain.
3. A victim of sexual assault is highly encouraged to participate in follow-up counseling. Failing to openly address the emotional trauma of sexual assault can be devastating to the victim. Usually, victims undergo tremendous stress and fear of normal social interaction following such an assault. Thus, learning to cope with a multitude of feelings and fears can be accomplished through ongoing counseling. The victim may seek help through either of the following agencies:
   • BPCC Counseling Center (318) 678-6005, Building F
   • YMCA Sexual Assault Center (222-0556), 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA.

Legal Action

The victim may proceed to take action against the accused by:

1. Pressing criminal charges through the District Attorney's Office with the assistance of Campus Security. This action is encouraged whether the accused is or is not found to be a College student.
2. If the accused is found to be a BPCC student, the victim may request that College disciplinary proceedings begin for redress of the assault.

Campus Discipline Procedures

During College disciplinary proceedings both the victim and the accused are entitled to have an advisor present. Furthermore, both the victim and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings.

The Rights of the Victim in Alleged Sexual Assault Cases

1. The right not to have the victim's past sexual history discussed during an investigation or during a hearing;
2. The right to choose persons to accompany the victim throughout the investigative and disciplinary proceeding;
3. The right to be present throughout the entire disciplinary proceedings;
4. The right to have a campus restraining order or ban imposed on the accused and/or the accused's friend to prohibit them from contacting or harassing the victim;
5. The right to be informed of the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings dealing with the alleged sexual assault;
6. The right to be informed of counseling available on the BPCC campus and of counseling available in the community;
7. The right to change academic environments after an alleged sexual assault incident;
8. The right to be informed of criminal proceedings in the city and district courts.

Penalties for Sexual Assault

The College has the right to take disciplinary action, independent of the criminal justice system, against any student the College finds guilty of sexual assault. The College has jurisdiction in sexual assault cases occurring on the College campus. The College also may take disciplinary action in off-campus cases involving a BPCC student as defined in Sanctions 4.19-4.21 in the Student Code of Conduct.

Louisiana criminal penalties, which may be invoked against offenders, are listed in the Louisiana Criminal Law and Procedure Handbook.

Campus Security maintains all data on sexual assaults occurring on campus. This data is collected from August 1 through July 31 annually. Members of the College community who would like to obtain this information may contact the Vice Chancellor for Student Services.

Avoiding the Occurrence of Sexual Assault

All members of the College community are advised to exercise caution while on campus both day and night. Although students, faculty, and staff comprise the majority of people found on the campus, many non-College related individuals visit daily. Consequently, students and employees must use good judgment and make wise decisions in the course of daily activities on the campus. Special precautions are advised in the following situations:

• Walking to and from parking areas both day and night. Have keys in hand when returning to an automobile and always check the automobile before entering.
• Walking the campus alone at night. Walk with groups or wait for a Campus Watch member to walk with you.
• Working late at night in College offices and laboratories. (When possible, keep doors locked and let someone know you are in that area.)
• Avoid walking in dimly lit areas of campus. (All areas needing better lighting should be reported to the Administrative Office.)