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Dean of Students

Reporting Sexual Misconduct

UNT Survivor Advocates

The UNT Survivor Advocates can be reached by emailing SurvivorAdvocate@unt.edu or calling 940-565-2648. If there is an emergency, please call the police at 911 or the Denton County Friends of the Family 24-hour crisis line at 940-382-7273.

The UNT Survivor Advocates connect students who have been impacted by violence to resources (counseling, health, safety, academics, legal, etc.), and act as their advocate. They can assist a student by filing protective orders, completing crime victim’s compensation applications, contacting professors for absences related to an assault, working with housing to facilitate a room change (if needed), and connecting students to the many other resources that are available, both on and off campus. They are here to help.   For more information about these resources, view the Survivor Book.

Privacy Notice

The Survivor Advocates are Campus Security Authorities, and certain information shared with them may be reported to the UNT Title IX Coordinator or to other authorities. Situations that they may need to report include those where:

  • Another person that is affiliated with UNT (student, staff or faculty) is violating Title IX (including sexual violence, intimate partner violence, harassment, or stalking) and the name of that person is provided 
  • An individual is expressing thoughts of harm to self or others
  • There is suspected child abuse

The Dean of Students complies with the Clery Act by forwarding crimes reported to our office to the UNT Police Department. The information we report does not include the name of any victim or perpetrator. The information we report includes:

  • The type of crime
  • The date
  • The time of the crime
  • Location of the crime (For example: on campus, in a residential building, or off campus, etc.…) 

Survivor Advocates can be reached through email at SurvivorAdvocate@unt.edu or by calling the Dean of Students Office at 940-565-2648. If there is an emergency, please call 911 or the Denton County Friends of the Family 24-hour Crisis Line at 940-382-7273.

You are not alone.
You are never to blame.
We are here to help.

What do I do if I have been sexually assaulted Definitions Reporting a sexual assault or domestic/dating violence incident
Resources The Federal Campus Sexual Assault Victim's Bill of Rights Supporting a friend who has been affected by violence
UNT's Committee on Prevention & Education on Sexual Assault & Intimate Partner Violence Guidelines for University Employees Statistics for Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence
References Campaign, Education, & Training  
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What do I do if I have been sexually assaulted?

If you are a survivor of sexual violence or intimate partner violence, you are not alone and you are in no way responsible for your assault.

If you are not safe, call 911.  If you need help for an incident which happened on campus, call the UNT Police Department at 940-565-3000.  If the incident happened elsewhere in Denton, call the Denton Police Department at 940-349-8181.  If the incident happened outside Denton, call the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction in the location where it occurred.  Do what you need to do to feel safe.    

You do not have to go through this alone – you can reach out to someone you trust for support. The Denton County Friends of the Family 24-hour Crisis Hotline (940-382-7273) can provide advice and options for how to proceed.

Immediate medical attention may be necessary to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infection and possible pregnancy, as well as treat any wounds incurred.  The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) program is available at three hospitals in Denton County: Denton Regional Medical Center (940-384-3535), Baylor Carrollton (972-492-1010) or Flower Mound Emergency Center (972-420-4911).  The nurse will perform the examination and stay with the survivor throughout the treatment process.  These three hospitals, Denton County Friends of the Family, and law enforcement collaborate to provide service and care to survivors of sexual assault. 

The following information may be helpful to know regarding the SANE exam and advocacy services:

  • In order to receive a sexual assault exam, you can either call the Denton County Friends of the Family crisis hotline at 940-382-7273, or go to one of the hospitals that offer the SANE program
  • Preserving evidence is critical for criminal prosecution. Do not shower, bathe, douche, change or destroy clothes; do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum; do not take any medications; do not remove sheets from bed; do not clean the room or place of the incident. Although you may not want to prosecute immediately following the incident, that choice may not be available later without credible evidence. 
  • Receiving a SANE exam does not commit you to a full prosecution. Instead, it will preserve any potential evidence if you decide you would like to prosecute at a later date.

For additional information, click the following link: Where to Report Sexual Violence.

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Definitions

What is consent?

  • Consent means words or actions that show an active, knowing and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. Consent cannot be gained by force, coercion, manipulation, threats, or by taking advantage of the incapacitation of another when the individual knows or reasonably should know of such incapacity by use of alcohol or drugs. Consent is absent when the activity in question exceeds the scope of previously given consent, or the person is unconscious or otherwise unaware that the prohibited conduct is occurring. Consent may be revoked at any time. 
  • UNT Consent Video

What is sexual violence?

  • Sexual violence refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person's will or where a person is incapable of giving consent due to use of drugs/alcohol or an intellectual disability.
  • Sexual violence can occur between friends, classmates, spouses, romantic interests, acquaintances or strangers. Examples of sexual violence include rape, sexual assault, sexual battery and sexual coercion.

What is sexual assault?

  •  Sexual assault is the intentional or knowing penetration, no matter how slight, of the sex organ or anus with any body part or object, or oral sex, without consent of the complainant. The term sexual assault also may be referred to as rape.

What is dating violence?

Dating violence is violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors: the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. Some examples include:

Physical

  • Shoving
  • Punching
  • Slapping
  • Pinching
  • Hitting
  • Kicking
  • Hair pulling
  • Strangling
  • Intimidation (throwing things at you, blocking your way, etc.)

Dating violence exists in a cycle of power and control and can include emotional/verbal/psychological abuse.

What is stalking?

The engaging in a course or conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others, or to suffer substantial emotional distress. Here are a few examples of common stalking incidents:

  • Show up at home or work uninvited
  • Send you unwanted messages
  • Leave unwanted gifts
  • Constantly call you and hang up

 

For additional information:

 

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Reporting

Reporting Options

  • Dean of Students (940-565-2648) – DOS (Union 409) can receive complaints that a student committed misconduct. The online reporting form is found at report.unt.edu. DOS can explain relevant policies, its investigation procedures, other reporting options, implement interim measures to protect against ongoing harassment, violence, or retaliation, and refer survivors to support resources. If a DOS investigation finds that a student committed misconduct, DOS will impose sanctions, up to and including possible suspension and expulsion.  
  • Title IX Coordinator (940-565-2759) - UNT’s Title IX Coordinator is housed in the Office of Equal Opportunity (Hurley 175). You may file any Title IX-related complaint with the Title IX Coordinator (including sexual assault and sexual harassment). The Office of Equal Opportunity will investigate the complaint if the accused party is a staff/faculty member, guest, or visitor to campus.  The Title IX Coordinator will also ensure your continued access to your educational program.
  • UNT Police (940-565-3000) - You may file a police report with campus police for assaults occurring on campus at the Sullivant Public Safety Center (1700 Wilshire Street).  When making a report to police, you may choose to report using a pseudonym so that your name will not appear in public files.
  • Denton Police (940-349-8181) - You may file a police report at the Denton Police Department (601 E. Hickory Street) for assaults occurring off campus in Denton.  When making a report to police, you may choose to report using a pseudonym so that your name will not appear in public files.
  • If the assault did not occur on the UNT Campus or in Denton, you can file a report with the respective law enforcement agency. The Survivor Advocate can connect you to the right jurisdiction. 

 

 

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Resources

You are not alone.  We are here to help.

UNT Survivor Advocate, SurvivorAdvocate@unt.edu 

The UNT Survivor Advocate’s role is to connect students who have been impacted by violence to resources (counseling, health, safety, academics, legal, etc.), and act as their advocate. The advocate can assist a student by filing protective orders, completing crime victim’s compensation applications, contacting professors for absences related to an assault, working with housing to facilitate a room change (if needed), and connecting students to the many other resources that are available, both on and off campus.

On-Campus Resources

Off-Campus Resources

National Resources

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The Federal Campus Sexual Assault Victim's Bill of Rights

  • Survivors shall be notified of their options to notify law enforcement.
  • Accuser and accused must have the same opportunity to have others present.
  • Both parties shall be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary proceeding.
  • Survivors shall be notified of counseling services.
  • Survivors shall be notified of options for changing academic and living situations.
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Supporting a friend who has been impacted by violence

Supporting a survivor of sexual assault

  • First, believe your friend. Do not judge or blame them; what happened was not the fault of the survivor.
  • Stay with the survivor.
  • Lend a listening ear.
  • Encourage survivors to contact the UNT Police, Dean of Students, or Title IX Coordinator, and guide them to campus and community resources.
  • Find your own support system.

Supporting a survivor of intimate partner violence

  • Acknowledge that the individual is in a difficult and scary situation. Let the person know they are not alone.
  • Support, listen, and be available. Remember it may be difficult for the individual to talk about the abuse.
  • Be non-judgmental and respect the individual's decisions. There are many reasons why they may stay in an abusive relationship. Do not criticize the person's choice to stay.
  • Show you are concerned. Describe what you see is going on and that you want to help. Let the person know they deserve a healthy, non-violent relationship.
  • If the individual breaks up with the abuser, continue to be supportive. They may feel sad or lonely and be tempted to return to the abuser.
  • Encourage the individual to talk with professionals who can offer support.
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UNT's Committee on Prevention & Education on Sexual Assault & Intimate Partner Violence

This is a university-wide committee involving faculty, staff, students, and community members to work on programs, education and prevention efforts for our community on Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence. We invite any UNT community member to get involved by emailing the Survivor Advocate at SurvivorAdvocate@unt.edu.

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Guidelines for University Employees

Clery Act
The “Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act”, commonly referred to as the “Clery Act”, is a federal law that requires institutions of higher education in the United States to disclose campus security information including crime statistics for the campus and surrounding areas.

Reporting a Crime

  • Campus Security Authorities (CSA) required to immediately notify the UNT Police of alleged Clery crimes reported to them. These reports will be used by UNT to:
    • Fulfill its responsibility to annually disclose Clery crime statistics
    • To issue timely warnings for Clery crimes that pose a threat to the campus community.
  • The following information should be obtained from anyone reporting a crime to a CSA. The answers to these questions can provide valuable information that will assist in the criminal investigation, annual reporting requirements, and the insurance of a timely warning to the UNT community if appropriate:
    • Who was involved?
    • What occurred?
    • Where did it occur?
    • When did it occur?
    • How did it occur?

What is a Clery Crime?

  • Any Clery crime listed below that is reported to a CSA must immediately be reported to the UNT Police Department. For additional crimes that need to be reported, please visit the UNT Clery website.
    • Sex Offenses:
      • Rape
      • Fondling
      • Incest
      • Statutory rape
    • Domestic Violence
    • Dating Violence
    • Stalking
  • Clery Crimes that occur in the Clery geography below are required to be reported:
    • On Campus: property owned or controlled by the university that is reasonably contiguous to one another and directly supports or relates to the institution’s education purpose (main campus). Examples include Administration building, General Academic Building, and Union.
    • Public Property: thoroughfares, streets, sidewalks, and parking facilities that are within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. Examples include portions of Highland St., North Texas Blvd., and Welch St. that run through or adjacent to the main campus.
    • Non-campus: any building or property owned or controlled by the institution or an officially recognized student organization that is frequently used by students and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution. Examples include the Discovery Park, Library Annex, and UNT on the square.

Please click here to report a Clery crime. For any questions, please contact Captain West Gilbreath at 940-565-7086.

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Statistics for Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence

  • The Prevalence of Sexual Assault in College
    • It is estimated that the percentage of completed or attempted rape victimization among women in higher educational institutions may be between 20% and 25% over the course of a college career.
    • Among college women, 9 in 10 victims of rape and sexual assault knew their offender.
    • Almost 12.8% of completed rapes, 35% of attempted rapes, and 22.9% of threatened rapes happened during a date.
    • Off-campus sexual victimization is much more common among college women than on-campus victimization. Of victims of completed rape 33.7% were victimized on campus and 66.3% off campus.
    • Less than 5% of completed or attempted rapes against college women were reported to law enforcement. However, in 2/3rds of the incidents the victim did tell another person, usually a friend, not family or school officials.
  • Intimate Partner Violence
    • More than 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and more than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
    • 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
    • Nearly half of all women and men in the United States have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime (48.4% and 48.8%, respectively).
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References

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Campaign, Education, and Training

Brochures

Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates (SAPU)

All new students are required to complete Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates (SAPU), an online course includes surveys to help personalize your experience and measure your attitudes and behaviors about healthy relationships and sexual assault.

Haven Instructions Letter

Training

Social Media

Posters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For information on how to get involved in UNT’s efforts to prevent and educate against sexual assault and intimate partner violence, email SurvivorAdvocate@unt.edu