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Title IX, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence

Definitions & Reporting Requirements

USI’s Definition of "Consent"

    • Clear, knowing, and voluntary agreement to participant in a sexual activity
    • Active, not passive; silence cannot be interpreted as consent
    • Words or actions can be used as long as they create mutually understandable, clear permission regarding willingness to engage in sexual activity
    • Consent to one form of sexual activity cannot automatically imply consent to any other forms of sexual activity
    • Previous relationships or prior consent cannot imply consent to future sexual acts
    • One must be of legal age (at least 16 years old in state of Indiana)

Additional Definitions

    • Dating Violence
    • Domestic Violence
    • Sexual Violence/Assault (rape, sodomy, sexual assault with an object, fondling, incest, statutory rape, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual exploitation)
    • Sexual Harassment, including stalking
    • Sexual Misconduct (consent, incapacitation, force, coercion)

Two Recently Added Bias Categories:

    • Gender Identity
    • National Origin

Other Misconduct Offenses that May Require Title IX-Based Response

  • Threatening or causing physical harm, extreme verbal abuse, or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person based on sex
  • Discrimination — actions that deprive or exclude other members of the community of educational or employment access, benefits, or opportunities on the basis of gender
  • Intimidation — implied threats or acts that cause an unreasonable fear of harm to another
  • Any rule violated on the basis of the victim’s sex/gender, which is severe enough to cause a discriminatory effect
  • Go to the University Employee and/or the Student Handbook for more information

Who can file a Title IX complaint?

    • A student or employee
    • The student’s parent or guardian
    • A third party
    • Anyone who requests action on the student’s or employee’s behalf

With whom should Title IX complaints be filed?

    • Student on Student — Dean of Students Office
    • Student on Faculty/Staff — Dean of Students or Director of Human Resources/Title IX Officer
    • Other — Director of Human Resources/Title IX Officer

What steps must the University take?

  • Outline a clear and published University policy
  • Develop and implement prevention and awareness programs
  • Outline a complete disciplinary and grievance process
  • Follow Title IX investigations procedures and timeline
    • 60 calendar days — starting the first time it is told to an University official
  • Carry out investigation and disciplinary proceedings as outlined
    • Fairly, equitably, and consistently
  • Provide multiple reporting options and resources to all victims, accused, and witnesses
  • Accurately report incidents in the Annual Security Report (ASR) — Clery Report

What should you know and do?

  • Become familiar with the University policies (Employee Handbook, Student Handbook, etc.)
  • Do not promise confidentiality!
  • Report all incidents to the Dean of Students or Public Safety immediately!
    • Remember… the 60-day timeline begins with the first report!
  • Provide resources to the complainant

 If a Student is Assaulted - How Can You Help?

  • Listen, believe, and do not judge.
  • Reinforce that the victim is not to blame.
  • Help the victim organize their thoughts, but let their make decisions about how to proceed.
  • Do not promise confidentiality.
  • Provide options if the victim wants to report the assault. Reporting can be done on campus by contacting the Dean of Students or Public Safety. Reporting may be done anonymously, and does not require them to file charges.
  • Explain that seeking medical attention is very important if the assault was recent. There may be injuries that the victim is unaware of.
  • Encourage the victim not to disturb potential evidence. Even if they do not plan to press charges, changing clothes, showering, or washing hands after the assault can disturb DNA evidence. Encourage the student to get medical attention
  • Be accessible. The student may need to talk.
  • Deal with your feelings. Sexual assault impacts people who care about the victim, too.
  • Understand that every victim is different. This student may exhibit shock, denial, rationalization, depression, guilt, fear, anxiety, and anger. All are normal emotions.
  • Do not engage with the alleged perpetrator. Doing so may be viewed as threatening behavior.
  • Encourage the student to get mental health care. On campus, a student can contact the Counseling and Psychological Services or Dean of Students Office and Public Safety as resources.

Additional Information:

Sexual Assault and Gender Violence Prevention Brochure (Spring 2016) 

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
This link will take you to information on consent, University policies and procedures, prevention and safety tips, how you can help a friend, and more.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact the Dean of Students Office at or at 812-464-1862.

Sexual Assault and Gender Violence Prevention Committee

The Sexual Assault and Gender Violence Prevention Committee is a work group made up of concerned faculty, staff, students, and community partners who are passionate about issues surrounding sexual assault and gender violence. The work group assists in the development of definitions for the University related to sexual assault and gender violence. Each semester the work group partners with departments and student groups to sponsor programs and tabling events to raise awareness.

Represented Campus Departments:

    • Counseling Center
    • Dean of Students Office
    • Public Safety
    • Recreation, Fitness, & Wellness Center
    • Student Support Services
    • Sociology, Anthropology, & Criminal Justice Studies
    • Gender Studies
    • Housing and Residence Life
    • University Health Center

Represented Community Partners:

Co-Chairs:

Catherine Champagne: cchampagne@usi.edu, 812/461-5268

Laurie Berry: lberry@usi.edu, 812/464-1862

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

Walk a Mile in Her Shoe is an International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence by raising awareness about the serious causes, effects and remediations to men's sexualized violence against women. This an annual event at USI sponsored by various campus organizations, departments, and community partners.

Inspired by the saying that you can’t understand someone else’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in his or her shoes, participating students and community members will walk one mile in women’s high heeled shoes. 

Visit the official Walk A Mile in Her Shoes website for more information.

The Hunting Ground

The Hunting Ground (2015) is a documentary on sexual assault on college campuses. The Dean of Students Office owns the DVD and it is available for check out by students, faculty, and staff for use by classes, student organizations, or campus departments.

To request the DVD, you can email the Dean of Students Office at . Please let us know who you are, who will be viewing the DVD, and the dates it will be needed.

Flowers on the Lake

Flowers on the Lake is a powerful, nationally-recognized event held every year to honor those who have been victims of domestic violence. The event is free and open to the public.

Please wear purple to this event in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month during the month of October. The purpose is to remember those individuals who have lost their lives due to domestic violence, to celebrate those who have survived, and to connect the community to those who work to end the violence.