Sexual Misconduct

Sexual misconduct, including relationship violence and stalking, is a serious issue that can result in interfering or preventing victims of those behaviors from having an equal opportunity to access education or employment. Sexual misconduct, therefore, is a Title IX civil rights issue. Ohio University is committed to addressing allegations of sexual misconduct and remedying its effects on those it has impacted. For more detailed information on this topic, please see the Office of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance.

Sexual misconduct of any degree is a serious offense and compromises the integrity and safety of the university community. All forms of sexual misconduct are violations of the D7 (Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, and Stalking) provision of the Ohio University Student Code of Conduct. Students found in violation of this provision are subject to a range of disciplinary sanctions including disciplinary expulsion from Ohio University.

Students Who May be Victims of Sexual Assault

If you or someone you know may have been a victim of any form of sexual misconduct, we strongly encourage you to seek immediate assistance. In particular, members of the Ohio University community who have been sexually assaulted are strongly encouraged to consider talking with a survivor advocate, a counselor, the Ohio University Police Department (OUPD) or Athens Police Department (APD), and to obtain medical assistance. Survivors are encouraged to report the assault to law enforcement as soon as possible after the incident. Doing so ensures that evidence which might otherwise be lost after time has elapsed can be collected. Reporting sexual assault to law enforcement in no way compels an individual to pursue a specific course of action.

With the exception of the confidential resources named below, all faculty and staff of Ohio University are obligated to report complaints of sexual misconduct or behavior they observe and believe to be sexual misconduct to the Office of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance (ECRC). A staff member from ECRC will then contact the survivor to inform them of the resources and options available to them through the University. For a full explanation of the rights a survivor has through this process (including the right to request alternate housing or academic arrangements, and information regarding amnesty for personal alcohol or drug use at the time the sexual misconduct occurred) please see our Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct Grievance Process. 

A list of confidential resources, meaning they are exempt from reporting complaints of sexual misconduct to the Office Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, can be found on ECRC's Resources page.