Sexual Conduct
The Belmont community upholds high moral standards in regard to responsibly expressed sexual behavior, creating a climate of mutual respect. Acts that demean the dignity and beauty of human sexuality conflict with university moral standards of responsibility.Specific behaviors of sexual misconduct are those which occur on campus or at a university sponsored activity (on or off campus) and include, but are not limited to: sexual relations outside of marriage, homosexual behavior, sexual harassment, rape (date, acquaintance and stranger rape), other non-consensual sex offenses and possession or distribution of pornographic materials. Sexual misconduct also includes instances of sexual activity with persons who have a mental disability or who are physically incapacitated because they are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and who are therefore legally incompetent to give consent. Persons engaged in sexual misconduct are subject to disciplinary action. Certain acts prohibited under this policy are also illegal under state and/or federal law and may be prosecuted as criminal acts.
Definitions:
• Sexual harassment is
implicit or explicit behavior of sexual nature used to control,
influence or affect the well-being of a person; physical conduct or
verbal innuendo of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating,
hostile, offensive environment.
• Rape is forced sexual
intercourse without consent through the use of threatening verbal
language, gestures or tone of voice; or through physical actions or
restraint.
• Acquaintance Rape is
forced sexual intercourse by someone the victim knows.
• Date Rape is forced
sexual intercourse by someone the victim is dating.
• Stranger Rape is forced
sexual intercourse by someone the victim does not know.
• Sexual Assault is any
incident forcing another person to perform a sexual act against
her/his will or consent.
• Obscene Materials must
be both (1) materials in which a reasonable person, applying
contemporary Belmont community standards, when considering the
contents as a whole, would conclude that they appeal to prurient
sexual/physical interests or violently subordinating behavior
rather than an intellectual or communicative purpose, and (2)
materials that, taken in to regarding their content and their
particular usage or application, lack any redeeming literary,
scientific, political, artistic or social value.
The university is committed to dealing expeditiously with instances of sexual misconduct and to protecting the anonymity and confidentiality of the victims. While most victims of sexual harassment or assault are women, male victims will receive the same protection. For further information concerning disciplinary sanctions, procedures victims should follow, university and community support services and public relations for incidents of sexual harassment or sexual assault, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students.
