Sexual Violence Education and Support

OBU is committed to creating a community free from sexual violence through education and prevention, support and resources, student conduct process, and referrals to the criminal justice system. The University wants to address situations of sexual violence (to include sexual assault, stalking, intimate partner violence/domestic abuse, and sexual harassment) by providing resources for support, and information and details about your medical and reporting options.

Sexual assault and rape are unconscionable acts, prosecutable by law. Cases reported at OBU will be investigated promptly under the University's Sexual Harassment Policy.

To fulfill this commitment, the University implements relevant policies to all students to provide resources and support no matter where the assault occurred. OBU's primary objectives are to educate the University community about sexual violence, to provide support and resources for those affected by sexual violence, and to provide support and direction of how to proceed after an assault has occurred.

Ultimately, the survivor must choose how to cope with their experience, and the "first step" may look different for each individual instance. An initial response may be to immediately call the police; however, it's very common for a person to seek out medical care or other information first. If the assault is recent, seek medical care immediately. Regardless of the decision to report, in any instance where physical contact and/or injury has been experienced, all survivors are strongly encouraged to seek medical care.

At the University, when a university employee is told about an instance of sexual violence, it is important that both the employee and the student understand what will happen. Employees are considered mandatory reporters and would need to report their knowledge of what has happened to University Police and to the Title IX office. Exceptions do exist, however. Counselors within the Kemp Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic are required to keep information confidential but must provide information as to how to contact UPD and the Title IX office.