Myths & Facts and Rights & Options
- Myths & Facts About Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Assault.pdf
- Rights and Options for Victims of Sexual Violence, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking.pdf
Please refer to the CSU Nondiscrimination Policy and Title IX.
Types of Sexual Misconduct
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is any sexual act against a person’s will and/or without their complete knowledge and consent. In California, all sexual activity must be based on affirmative consent. It is important to recognize that sexual assault is NEVER THE VICTIM’S FAULT!
If you or a friend is a victim of sexual assault, it is important that you get help:
- Your immediate safety is first. Try to go to a safe place.
- If you are in immediate danger or need emergency help call 9-1-1 or the campus police at 209-667-3114.
- Reach out for support. You deserve it.
- Call the Victim Advocate 209-667-3993 or HAVEN’s 24-hour crisis line at 209-577-5980 for after-hours support.
- Call someone you trust, like a friend or a member of your family.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible. HAVEN or the local rape crisis center nearest you can assist you with finding options. Medical care is important, in case you are injured and to protect against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
- Reporting to the police is your choice. If you decide not to go to the police right away, write down everything you remember about what happened and save it in case you change your mind.
- If you decide to report to the police, preserve evidence and try not to shower or bathe in case you decide you want to pursue an evidentiary exam to collect evidence of the assault.
- If you decide not to report to the police, you may still be eligible for a Suspected Abuser Response Team (SART) exam. If you would like to get a SART exam, try not to shower or bathe and call Safer for assistance and more information, or call Lumina Alliance for after-hours support. SART exams are available to all victims regardless of gender.
- If the assailant is a member of the Stanislaus State community and you would like the University to investigate, you can report the incident to Stanislaus’s Title IX office online or to the Title IX Coordinator at 209-667-3868.
Intimate Partner
Violence Intimate partner violence, otherwise known as domestic violence, is a crime in California. It can take many forms including physical, verbal, and sexual abuse. Intimate partner violence affects at least one out of every four American families. Women ages 16 - 24 experience the highest per capita rates of intimate partner violence.
You may be a victim of intimate partner violence if you:
- Are frightened by your partner’s temper
- Apologize to other people for your partner’s behavior
- Have been hit, kicked or shoved by your partner
- Go along with your partner’s wishes because you are afraid they will get mad
- Don’t see friends or relatives because your partner told you not to
- Think it is your fault when your partner treats you badly or hurts you
- Have excessive calls or texts from your partner wanting to know your whereabouts at all times
- Alter the way you act, dress, or socialize because of your partner’s excessive jealousy
- Are unable to use birth control because your partner won’t let you
If you are experiencing intimate partner violence, there is help available:
- If you are in immediate danger or need emergency help, call 9-1-1 or the campus police at 209-667-3114.
- Call the Victim Advocate 209-667-3993 or HAVEN’s 24-hour crisis line at 209-577-5980 for after-hours support.
- You can file a police report with your local police department or with campus police if you would like. You may also seek assistance from HAVEN or the Stanislaus Family Justice Center to help file for a restraining order.
- If the abuser is a member of the Stanislaus State community and you would like the University to investigate, you can report the incident to Stanislaus’s Title IX office online or 209-667-3868.
Stalking
Stalking is a series of acts by another person that harasses you (for example repeated phone calls or repeated incidents of following you) and makes you fear for your safety. In California, it is a crime. Cyberstalking is a relatively newer form of harassment. This includes excessive emails or other electronic communications, such as social media, conveying threats.
If you believe you are experiencing stalking, it is important that you get help:
- If you are in immediate danger or need emergency help, call 9-1-1 or the campus police at 209-667-3114.
- For your safety, it is very important that you DO NOT make arrangements to meet the stalker
- Do not try to “talk sense” into them. Save all evidence (i.e. emails, voice messages, texts, unused gifts) and present it to the police department.
- If you think you are a victim of stalking, call the Victim Advocate at 209-667-3993 or HAVEN’s 24-hour crisis line at 209-577-5980 for after-hours support. They can assist you with police reports and restraining orders if necessary, as well as help you obtain counseling services.
- If the stalker is a member of the Stan State community and you would like the University to investigate, you can report the incident to Stanislaus’s Title IX office online or 209-667-3868.
Learn More About Stalking (PDF)
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment, a form of Sex Discrimination, is unwelcome verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that includes but is not limited to sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and any other conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual Harassment also includes acts of verbal, non-verbal or physical aggression, intimidation or hostility based on Gender or sex-stereotyping, even if those acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature.
If you are experiencing sexual harassment, help is available:
- If you are in immediate danger or need emergency help, call 9-1-1 or the campus police at 209-667-3114.
- Call the Victim Advocate 209-667-3993 or HAVEN’s 24-hour crisis line at 209-577-5980 for after-hours support.
- You can file a police report with your local police department or with campus police if you would like.
- If the harasser is a member of the Stan State community and you would like the University to investigate, you can report the incident to Stanislaus’s Title IX office online or 209-667-3868.
Updated: September 21, 2023