Sexual Assault Response Guarantee

The Lock Haven University Public Safety Department has adopted the LHU Sexual Assault Response Guarantee, which states:

Sexual assaults, including date/acquaintance rape, are a very serious concern of the University. If you feel you are the victims of a sexual assault on campus, your LHU Public Safety Department will guarantee you the following:

1. We will meet with you privately, at a place of your choice in this area, to take a complaint report.
2. We will not release your name to the public or to the press.
3. Our officers will not prejudge you, and you will not be blamed for what occurred.
4. We will treat you and your particular case with courtesy, sensitivity, dignity, understanding, and professionalism.
5. If you feel more comfortable talking with a female or male officer, we will do our best to accommodate your request.
6. You may file a report without having to press charges and without giving names.
7. We will assist you in arranging for any medical needs and/or evidence collection.
8. We will assist you in privately contacting counseling, safety advising, and other available resources.
9. If you choose to press charges, we will fully investigate your case, and will help you to achieve the best outcome. This may involve the arrest and full prosecution of the suspect responsible.
10. We will continue to be available to you , to answer your questions, to explain the systems and processes involved (prosecutor, courts, etc.), and to be a listening ear if you wish.
11. We will consider your case seriously regardless of your gender of your gender or sexual orientation, and regardless of the gender or sexual orientation, and regardless of the gender or sexual orientation of the suspect.

If you feel you are a sexual assault victim, call the LHU Public Safety Department at 570-484-2278, and say you want to privately make a sexual assault complaint. You may call anytime of the day or night.

Sexual Misconduct Report Form

If we fail to achieve any part of the above guarantee, the Director of Public Safety, Tim Stringer will meet with you personally to address any problems. The LHU Public Safety want to help you make the LHU campus safe for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Access to Registered Sex Offender Database

In accordance with the "Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act" of 2000, which amends the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, the Jeanne Clery Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the Lock Haven University Public Safety Department is providing a link to the Pennsylvania State Police Sex Offender Database. This act requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement information provided by a State concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. It also requires sex offenders already required to register in a State to provide notice of each institution of higher education in that State at which the person is employed, carries a vocation, or is a student. Unlawful use of the information for purposes of intimidating or harassing another is prohibited and punishable by law.

The Pennsylvania State Police is responsible for maintaining this registry. Follow this link www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us to access the Pennsylvania State Police website.If uncomfortable with reporting to the University Police, the incident may be reported to any official of the University such as the Office of Student Affairs and Student Success, Dean of Student Life, Student Judicial Affairs Office, a sexual violence victim advocate, a Residence Hall Director (RD), counseling services or resident assistant (RA). But, in all cases, seeking medical attention is encouraged.

To maintain confidentiality, but still comply with the law to obtain an accurate account of incidents of this nature, pastoral counselors and professional counselors are requested to forward only a verifiable statistic to the University Police. Statistic will be verified through the use of either a day or time of occurrence or location of occurrence. At all times, the victim's wishes as to police involvement will be followed.  

The victim's academic and living situation may be changed if requested and if such changes are reasonably available. The student's academic advisor and the Residence Life and Housing Office can provide details as needed.

Both the accused and the victim may have other support persons present during a disciplinary hearing. Both will be advised of the outcome of that proceeding. Persons found guilty of sexual assault may be suspended or expelled from the University.