SEXUAL OFFENSES
Definitions
In addition to sexual offenses as defined by Maryland Annotated Code,
the following definitions have been adopted by the University System of
Maryland Board of Regents:
Sexual Assault I - By stranger or acquaintance, rape, forcible
sodomy, or forcible sexual penetration, however slight, of another
person's anal or genital opening with any object. These acts must be
committed either by force, threat, intimidation or through the use of
the victim's mental or physical helplessness of which the accused was
aware or should have been aware.
Sexual Assault II - By stranger or acquaintance, the touch of an
unwilling person's intimate parts (defined as genitalia, groin, breast
or buttocks, or clothing covering them) or forcing an unwilling person
to touch another's intimate parts. These acts must be committed either
by force, threat, and intimidation or through the use of the victim's
mental or physical helplessness of which the accused was aware or should
have been aware.
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Sexual
Assault Prevention Program
Information on preventing sexual assault is presented as a topic in the
New Student Seminar curriculum, a course taken by all freshmen and
incoming transfer students who have less than 25 hours. Student
Counseling Services, Student Health Services and University Police also
schedule outreach programs on request for student organizations,
residence hall groups and University classes.
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Reporting Sexual Offenses
Victims of sexual assault should immediately contact the police in the
jurisdiction where the offense occurred. If assaulted on campus, contact
University Police at (410) 543-6222. It is the policy of University
Police that the health and safety of a sexual assault victim is of
paramount importance and to emphasize a compassionate and supportive
approach on the part of investigating officers toward the victim. It is
important that any evidence of the crime be preserved for the
investigating officers. This includes any physical evidence from the
victim and from the area where the assault occurred. Victims should
specifically avoid bathing or washing clothing or bed linens.
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Sex Offender
Registry
A Sex Offender Registry may be accessed on the State of Maryland
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services web site at
www.dpscs.maryland.gov/sorSearch/.
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Victim
Services
Victim services are available on campus through the Crisis Management
Team, which includes professional staff from the Vice President of
Student Affairs Office, the Office of Residence Life and Residential
Services, Student Counseling Services, Student Health Services and the
University Police. Similar services can be accessed off campus through
the Life Crisis Center (410-749-HELP or 1-800-422-0009).
Services for sexual assault victims include:
- assistance in reporting sexual assault to the proper law
enforcement authority,
- counseling,
- health services, and
- assistance in changing academic and/or living situations as
requested by the victim if such changes are reasonably available.
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Student
Disciplinary Procedures
In addition to any criminal or civil remedies available, violation of
laws or University System of Maryland policy regarding sexual assault
will be subject to the campus judicial system. The range of judicial
system penalties for students shall include, but not be limited to, one
or more of the following: alteration of class schedule, disciplinary
reprimand, loss of privilege, restitution, disciplinary probation,
disciplinary suspension, disciplinary dismissal and disciplinary
expulsion.
The on campus procedures shall provide that 1) the accuser and the
accused are afforded the same opportunities to have others present
during a campus disciplinary proceeding, 2) both the accuser and the
accused are informed of the outcome of any campus disciplinary
proceeding brought alleging a sexual assault, and 3) the offense must be
reported according to federal reporting mandates and Maryland state law.
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Faculty and
Employee Disciplinary Procedures
In addition to any criminal or civil remedies available, violations of
laws or University System of Maryland policy regarding sexual assault
will be subject to the appropriate faculty and/or employee disciplinary
procedure. The range of employment penalties for faculty and employees
shall include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following:
counseling, reprimand, suspension or termination of employment.
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