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 in 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 (805) 756-2281.
• Reach out for support. You deserve it.
• Call Safer (805) 756-2282 or Luimina Aliance’s 24-hour crisis line at (805) 545-8888 for afterhours support.
• Call someone you trust, like a friend or a member of your family.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible. Safer 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 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 afterhours support. SART exams are available to all victims regardless of gender.
• If the assailant is a member of the Cal Poly community and you would like the University to investigate, you can report the incident to Cal Poly's Title IX office at crco@calpoly.edu or (805) 756-6770.

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 (805) 756-2281.
• Call Safer (805) 756-2282 for information, referrals and support; or Lumina Alliance’s 24-hour crisis line at (805) 545-8888 for afterhours 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 Cal Poly's Safer office at to help file for a restraining order.
• If the abuser is a member of the Cal Poly community and you would like the University to investigate, you can report the incident to Cal Poly's Title IX office at crco@calpoly.edu or (805) 756-6770.

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. Cyber stalking 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 (805) 756-2281.
• 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 Cal Poly's Safer office (805) 756-2282 or Lumina Alliance’s 24-hour crisis line at (805) 545-8888 for afterhours 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 Cal Poly community and you would like the University to investigate, you can report the incident to Cal Poly's Title IX office at crco@calpoly.edu or (805) 756-6770.

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 (805) 756-2281.
• Call Safer at (805) 756-2282 or Lumina Alliance’s 24-hour crisis line at (805) 545-8888 for afterhours 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 Cal Poly community and you would like the University to investigate, you can report the incident to Cal Poly's Title IX office at crco@calpoly.edu or (805) 756-6770.