The University of Puget Sound values and celebrates a diverse educational community based on mutual respect, trust, and responsibility. The university believes its students, faculty members and all staff members should learn, teach, work, serve and lead in an environment free from harassment and sexual misconduct, which may include sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination, sexual violence such as rape (including attempted rape), stalking, verbal abuse, and more. This philosophy applies to all students wherever they may be studying. We are committed to upholding the rights granted by Title IX and to fully investigating and addressing Title IX violations. (For more information, see the Sexual Misconduct Resource Center)

The University of Puget Sound makes every effort to send students to study abroad programs that take sexual discrimination seriously, and is committed to upholding the rights granted by Title IX and to fully investigating and addressing Title IX violations.

Puget Sound students attending a study abroad program must follow both the conduct policies of the University of Puget Sound and of the study abroad program.

I. SEXUAL ASSAULT EMERGENCY REPONSE: ONSITE CHECKLIST

You are encouraged to take these steps immediately to ensure your safety:

  1. Call one of the program emergency phone numbers and request that a program staff member accompany you to the hospital, clinic, or doctor for support for things such as treatment of injuries, testing for STD, other response options (such as learning about whether emergency contraception is available, and about the possibility of preserving evidence.)
  2. If necessary, request to be moved from your current living quarters to safe housing.
  3. If the alleged perpetrator was from your own program, request action from the program staff that will assure your safety.
  4. After consultation with a program staff member, you may decide to contact the police.

Please note: program staff are typically mandatory reporters and will report the incident to Director of International Programs (1.253.879.3653) and Title IX Coordinator (1.253.879.2825). A mandatory reporter is required to report an incident of sexual assault to the Title IX Coordinator or a Harassment Reporting Officer of the university; this does not directly result in a criminal charge for the perpetrator.

After your immediate concerns have been addressed, you may take the following steps while you are still abroad:

  1. Seek assistance or counseling in the host country. Program staff will be able to provide contact information for a center for victims of sexual assault or counseling service.
  2. You may contact the 24-hour Pathways to Safety by finding the Access Code for the country you are currently in, dialing the access code and then dial 833.SAFE.833 (833.723.3833). Visit pathwaystosafety.org for more information.
  3. You may also contact any of the individuals at Puget Sound listed below to receive support.

PUGET SOUND RESOURCES FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY SEXUAL ASSAULT

Harassment Reporting Officers (Mandatory Reporters) at Puget Sound:

 

Confidential Support:

 

Other Support:

 


II. SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE AFTER RETURNING TO CAMPUS:

You may contact the following individuals or support groups after returning to campus to seek support:

 

You may take the following step after returning to campus to report sexual misconduct:

 

Resources: