Bucknell Policy
Sexual assault is a form of personal violence that affects all of us – women and men, directly and indirectly. Most individuals who have experienced some form of unwanted sexual activity do not think of themselves as survivors of sexual assault. However, sexual assault is a term that describes a wide range of unwanted or nonconsensual sexual activities. Many people do not realize sexual assault is a felony crime with serious implications for victims and their families, as well as communities. For college students in particular, sexual assault is an important concern. On college campuses, approximately 90% of the sexual assault that occurs takes place between two people who know each other such as acquaintances or significant others.
Bucknell University recognizes the serious problem of sexual assault in our society and has taken steps to address student concerns, to educate the campus community, and to treat seriously reports of sexual assault. If you have experienced a sexual assault, please know that you are not alone, and that there are people here who can provide you with resources to help you make informed choices, and support your recovery.
Definition: Sexual assault is defined as threats of, or deliberate physical contact of a sexual nature which is against another person's will or without consent. In its most severe form, sexual assault is manifested by any form of sexual penetration in circumstances in which it was not reasonable for the perpetrator to believe that the victim had freely given affirmative consent to the act. Examples of such behavior include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Level One: Rape or attempted rape (anal, oral, or vaginal intercourse without consent or against another's will) whether achieved through force, threat or intimidation, or advantage gained by the aggrieved party's mental or physical incapacity or impairment of which the perpetrator was aware or should have been aware. Intercourse involves penetration, however slight, with any object (penis, finger, or other instrument).
- Level Two: Any actual or attempted non-consensual or forcible sexual touching, including but not limited to, fondling, kissing, groping, and deliberate physical contact with an individual's intimate parts (defined as genitalia, groin, breast, buttocks, or clothing covering them) or forcing an unwilling person to have contact with another's intimate parts.
- Level Three: Deliberate or reckless threats, actual or implied, of physical contact of a sexual nature that result in intimidation, fear or reasonable apprehension of a sexual assault or physical harm. These might include, but are not limited to, threatening gestures or words conveyed directly or indirectly (e.g., through graffiti, written articles, radio broadcasts, etc.), obscene phone calls or computer contact, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism, sexual harassment (see policy statement in University Policies and Regulations section), cyberstalking, or transmission of a recording or pictures of the sex act.
For more information about the student code of conduct, please see the Student Handbook, available through the Office of the Dean of Students. For additional information or assistance, please see If you need help.
