Sexual Violence Bill of Rights

If you or a friend need help right now, call the Violence Intervention Programs 24/7 Hotline at 607-432-4855.

The SUNY Policies on Sexual Violence Prevention and Response includes several key sections, one of which is the Bill of Rights which requires SUNY campuses to provide victims and survivors key rights to support them through the process of disclosing an incident to campus officials.

You can read the full policy, or review the Bill of Rights section.

Briefly your options are:

Students have many options that can be pursued simultaneously. You can do one or more of the following:

• Receive resources, such as counseling and medical attention.
• Meet with a SUNY Oneonta official to learn about your options without making a crime report.
• Confidentially or anonymously disclose a crime or violation.
• Make a report on and/or off campus.

The longer version:

All students have the right to:

1. Make a report to local law enforcement and/or state police;
2. Have disclosures of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault treated seriously;
3. Make a decision about whether or not to disclose a crime or violation and participate in the judicial or conduct process and/or criminal justice process free from pressure from the institution;
4. Participate in a process that is fair, impartial, and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard;
5. Be treated with dignity and to receive from the institution courteous, fair, and respectful health care and counseling services, where available;
   1. Be free from any suggestion that the reporting individual is at fault when these crimes and violations are committed, or should have acted in a different manner to avoid such crimes or violations;
   2. Describe the incident to as few institutional representatives as practicable and not to be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident.
   3. Be free from retaliation by the institution, the accused and/or the respondent, and/or their friends, family, and acquaintances within the jurisdiction of the institution;
      1. Access to at least one level of appeal of a determination;
      2. Be accompanied by an advisor of choice who may assist and advise a reporting individual, accused, or respondent throughout the judicial or conduct process including during all meetings and hearings related to such process;
      3. Exercise civil rights and practice of religion without interference by the investigative, criminal justice, or judicial or conduct process of SUNY Oneonta.