The University of the Pacific takes the issue of sexual assault and misconduct very seriously, engaging in prevention education and providing personalized resources for victims. These programs and resources have been compiled on this page in an effort to make them easier to access.
Commonly Asked Questions
What is sexual assault?
How do I report?
Where can I get help?
What is the policy at Pacific?
What is Pacific doing to prevent sexual assault?
Sexual Assault & Misconduct
The University has a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual misconduct and engages in a broad array of developmental efforts to provide prevention education regarding sexual misconduct and alcohol awareness. These efforts include comprehensive sexual misconduct awareness campaigns, tailored educational programs, personalized counseling, specialized adjudication procedures to encourage victim reporting, and strong advocacy and support to crime victims.
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault, including acquaintance rape, is an act of aggression and power. Acquaintance rape accounts for the majority of rapes committed and includes situations in which a victim is physically or mentally unable to consent.
Sexual misconduct offenses include, but are not limited to:
- Sexual Harassment
- Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse (or attempts to commit same)
- Non-Consensual Sexual Contact (or attempts to commit same)
- Sexual Exploitation
How do I report?
Reporting an incident of sexual assault is a difficult yet important decision. Making a report may help with recovery, provide support and services, and prevent the offender from assaulting someone else.
Pacific takes incidents of sexual misconduct very seriously and encourages students to report all incidents. Students are encouraged to report instances of sexual misconduct to the University regardless of whether or not they choose to press formal charges with law enforcement.
Off Campus: If the assault occurs off campus, call 911 for local police assistance. All campus counseling, victims' advocate and other support services remain available (free of charge) to off campus students.
On Campus: Department of Public Safety - 209.946.2537 or Victims' Advocate - 209.403.0250
NOTE: Reporting to the police is not the same as pressing charges against an offender.
Options for filing a report - Download the report form (PDF)
Anonymous report (any student/staff/faculty) - The report form need not include the name of the complainant nor the accused unless the student chooses to include them. Initials of the complainant should be included to be able to keep a record of the report in the event the complainant wishes to file a formal report at a future time. Filing an anonymous report will assist the University in compiling crime statistics. It will not result in a police investigation.
Formal Reports - Students may elect to file a formal report through the Student Victim Advocate or Public Safety. A formal report will include the names of the student filing the report and will include the name of the accused, if known. If a student chooses to file a formal report, then the following procedures may result:
- University Student Conduct Process- The Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards will review the referral to determine if there is sufficient evidence to file a complaint against a student for a violation of this Code and to hold a student conduct hearing or engage in alternative complaint resolution options.
- Criminal Justice Process- The report may lead to a review by the criminal justice system, whether or not the University judicial system is reviewing the matter. Students may choose to report these incidents to the University Public Safety Department or to any other law enforcement agency. The Student Victim Advocate or Public Safety Officer can assist in the reporting process within the criminal justice system.
- Civil Suits- A victim can file a civil suit for monetary damages against an alleged perpetrator for causing physical or emotional injuries, regardless of the outcome of the student conduct process or criminal prosecution.
Where can I get help?
Immediate Action - The student is encouraged to discuss the assault confidentially with the Victim Advocate or a therapist from Counseling Services.
The Victim Advocacy Program provides free and confidential information, advocacy and support to students and employees who may be victims of crime, violence or abuse.
The Victim Advocate (209.403.0250) is a trained professional available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to discuss an incident of sexual assault in a private setting, to help a victim decide which reporting options are best, and to make referrals to the appropriate support services.
Assistance is also available in contacting appropriate offices regarding changes in academic and living situations, when appropriate. Faculty, staff, friends, and family are encouraged to contact the Student Advocate to report assaults, seek information and support, and express concerns.
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Office location |
Public Safety - Lower Level Cowell Wellness Center [map]. |
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Office phone |
209.946.2428 |
| 24/7 phone | 209.403.0250 |
NOTE: Our program is independent of the police. Police reports are encouraged; however, reports are not required for information and referral assistance.
Counseling Services - Victims of sexual assault may experience many physical, cognitive, and emotional reactions as a result of the victimization. The time of onset and the duration of these symptoms will vary by individual. You do not have to go through the healing process alone. Counseling Services provides counseling and some medical treatment to students who may have been a victim of sexual misconduct or any other crime. They can be reached via phone at 209.946.2315 x2.
Medical Attention - The student should seek immediate medical attention at San Joaquin County General Hospital (209.468.6000) within 72 hours of the assault. The medical exam includes checking for injuries, screening for sexually transmitted infections, gathering evidence, providing medications with follow-up care, and preserving a legal chain of command of the evidence.
Evidence collected during the exam will be preserved in the event the student decides at a later point to press charges. Filing a police report at the hospital will ensure the student is not charged for any treatment. The student may ask for an advocate (both are confidential) from either the University's Victim Advocate (209.403.0250) or the Women's Center of San Joaquin County (209.465.4997) to offer support at the hospital.
Health Services at the Cowell Wellness Center is available to provide follow-up non-evidentiary medical tests, medications and counseling. (209.946.2315x1)
For emergency assistance, the student may contact:
- Victim Advocate - 209.403.0250
- Counseling Services - 209.946.2315 x2
- Residence Director On-Call - 209.401.9854
- Greek Residence Director On-Call - 209.479.6014
- Department of Public Safety - 209.946.3911
- Women's Center - Youth and Family Services - 209.465.4997
Other contacts:
- San Joaquin General Hospital - 209.468.6000
- Health Services - 209.946.2315 x1
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards - 209.946.2081
- Title IX Coordinator Jane Lewis - 209.946.2125
Our policy and judicial review process
Pacific community members shall be able to pursue their interests in a safe and respectful environment free from any form of sexual misconduct. The University will not tolerate such acts against its members, will evaluate known incidents of alleged sexual misconduct, and, when appropriate, apply student conduct action. Read the full policy.
The judicial process provides a forum for resolving alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
- Gives students a forum for practicing leadership skills in establishing student judicial policy and adjudicating cases.
- Offers alleged violators of the code an opportunity to participate in a fair judicial process and develop into responsible community members.
- The student judicial process is applicable to all University students, including undergraduate, professional and graduate students.
Contact Student Conduct and Community Standards at 209.946.2081
Want to learn more?
CLICK HERE to learn more about some of the ways that the university works to provide education and prevention of sexual assault and misconduct:
- Introduction Beginning with Student Orientation
- Classroom Presentations
- Campus Presentations and Events
- Training for Student Employees and Leaders
- Awareness Programs
- Fraternities and Sororities
- Social Hosts
- Student Athletes
- Student Conduct
- Victim Advocate
- Campus Police
- Community Forums