Augsburg University is committed to curbing sexual assault and domestic violence by promoting awareness, encouraging safe decision making, and responding quickly to reports of “Sexual Misconduct” that relate to the Augsburg Community. In compliance with federal and state laws, including the Campus SAVE Act, Augsburg has adopted a Sexual Misconduct Policy that addresses sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic/dating violence, and stalking.
Looking for something specific? Take a look at the links below to go to that section of this page
WHAT IS SEXUAL MISCONDUCT?
Augsburg has adopted a broad term of “Sexual Misconduct” that includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic/dating violence, and stalking (and other conduct). The definitions used by Augsburg in its conduct process and for statistical reporting purposes are contained within the Sexual Misconduct Policy (link to sexual misconduct policy). Sexual Misconduct can lead to disciplinary action within the University, but Sexual Misconduct may also be a violation of Minnesota or other states’ laws that can lead to criminal charges.
Sexual Assault
While federal law has specific definitions from the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, “sexual assault” generally involves a sexual act committed against another person using force, coercion, and/or threats and without the other person’s consent. Some people may also be unable to consent, such as someone who is unconscious, under the influence of alcohol/drugs, or is below the statutory age of consent.
Domestic/Dating Violence
As with sexual assault, “domestic violence” and “dating violence” have specific definitions under federal law. However, generally, domestic/dating violence involves physical harm (or the threat of imminent physical harm) between current/former spouses or intimate partners; people sharing a child in common; people cohabiting as spouses or intimate partners; parents, children, and siblings; people residing together; a man and woman if the man is alleged to be the father of a child; and/or people involved in a significant romantic relationship. In the case of “intimate partners” or significant romantic relationships,” the existence of the relationship is based on the length of the relationship; the type of relationship; and the frequency of interaction between the people in the relationship. Domestic/Dating violence often involves a pattern of coercive behavior by one partner aimed at gaining power or control over the other partner in the relationship. While violence is a component, it may also include psychological and emotional abuse. Domestic/Dating violence is not confined to opposite-sex couples. It can occur in any relationship and any party can be the aggressor or victim regardless of sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression. Domestic/Dating violence can also have a significant impact on other family members, friends, and co-workers.
Stalking
Stalking refers to a person engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to (1) fear for their safety or the safety of others or (2) suffer substantial emotional distress. Stalking requires a pattern of conduct—though any single incident may constitute a separate crime. Stalking may occur regardless of the relationship between the perpetrator and the other person. Stalking is not simply annoying behavior, but repeated behavior (not necessarily the same act each time) that causes fear or emotional distress. Stalking may include non-consensual or uninvited communication or physical following, tracking, trespassing, etc.
Victim’s Rights and Resources
The Department of Public Safety is available to assist you in contacting law enforcement (if you wish to do so) and/or emergency medical services as well as other University resources including the Center for Counseling and Health Promotion, Campus Ministry, Residence Life, and Student Affairs. The Department of Public Safety is also available to provide transportation for medical care. Sexual Assault victims can choose whether they wish to contact law enforcement and to have the University’s assistance in contacting law enforcement. The University will contact law enforcement if there is a threat to the campus community, there is an ongoing threat to you, you have a life threatening injury, or you are incapacitated. Please review the on, and off, campus resources below and contact the Department of Public Safety if you have any questions.
Victim’s Rights
Federal and Minnesota law provide rights for victims of sexual assault including:
- The option to contact, or not to contact, law enforcement and to have Augsburg assist you in contacting law enforcement
- An investigation and resolution of a sexual assault incident by Augsburg.
- The right to participate in, and have an attorney or other support person, present in any disciplinary proceeding
- The right to be informed of the outcome of any Augsburg disciplinary proceeding
- Complete and prompt assistance of Augsburg, at the direction of law enforcement, in obtaining, securing and maintaining evidence in connection with a sexual assault incident
- The assistance of Augsburg in preserving for a sexual assault complainant or victim any materials relevant to an Augsburg disciplinary proceeding.
- The assistance of Augsburg, in cooperation with law enforcement, in shielding you from unwanted contact with the alleged assailant including your transfer to alternative classes or alternative college-owned housing, if such alternatives are available and feasible, regardless of whether the victim wishes to report the incident to police.
Augsburg University Resources
Campus Ministry P: 612-330-1732
Center for Wellness and Counseling P: 612-330-1707 E: cwc@augsburg.edu
Department of Public Safety P: 612-330-1717 E: publicsafety@augsburg.edu
Residence Life P: 612-330-1488 E: reslife@augsburg.edu
Student Affairs P: 612-330-1160
Student Affairs Sexual Harassment Web Reporting
Augsburg University Contracted Resource
Aurora Center (Located on U of MN-Twin Cities Campus) *Provides 24-Hour Assistance*
24-Hour Hotline: 612-626-9111*
Phone: 612-626-2929
Email: aurora@umn.edu
24/7 Urgent Counseling and Crisis Hotline: 844-287-6963
Outside Resources
Casa de Esperanza *Provides 24-Hour Assistance*
24-Hour Bilingual Crisis Line: 651-772-1611*
Email: info@casadeesperanza.org
Community-University Health Care Center
Phone: 612-638-0700 – Ask for sexual assault advocate.
County Attorney Sexual Assault Advocate
Phone: 612-348-4243
Day One Crisis Line: 1-866-223-1111
East Side Neighborhood Services
Phone: 612-787-4056
Crisis Line: 612-825-0000
Phone: 612-825-3333
Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC)
Phone: 612-873-5832
Somali Advocate at Domestic Abuse Service Center:
Phone: 612-348-5073 or 612-348-6396
Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women
24-Hour Phone Line: 1-866-223-1111*
Phone: 651-646-6177 or 1-800-289-6177
Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition:
Phone: 651-646-4800 or 1-877-995-4800
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: 612-348-2345
Report over the phone: 311 (within Minneapolis City boundaries)
Minneapolis Police Investigator: 612-673-3081
Project for Pride In Living – Domestic Violence Resources
Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network
(RAINN) National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Sexual Assault Online Hotline
24-Hour Hotline: 612-871-5111* or 952-448-5425
Sojourner Project Crisis Line:
952-933-7422* P: 952-933-7433
Email: info@sojournerproject.org
University of Minnesota Health-Riverside Campus Emergency Department (This emergency room is located directly across from Augsburg University at 2450 Riverside Avenue.)
Phone: 612-273-6402