Title IX
UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault means an offense that meets the definition of rape, fondling, incest or statutory rate as used in the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting system. A sex offense is any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances in which the victim is incapable of giving consent.

  • Rape - The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any
    body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person,
    without the consent of the victim.
  • Fondling - The touching of the private body parts of another person for the
    purpose of sexual gratification, without the consent of the victim, including
    instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of the
    victim’s age or because of the victim’s temporary or permanent mental
    incapacity.
  • Incest - Sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law.
  • Statutory Rape- Sexual intercourse with a person who is under statutory age of consent.
Anyone, regardless of gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status or race can engage in sexual assault. They do not have to be the opposite sex of the person harmed. This could include but is not limited to their supervisor, a client, a co-worker, a teacher, classmate, family member, or stranger.
Sexual assault can happen to anyone regardless of gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status or race.

Sexual Assault impacted individuals may consider:

  • Go to a safe place.
  • Call a friend, family member, or someone else you trust and ask them to stay with you.
  • Going to the hospital for a forensic exam and preserving all physical evidence. If possible do not shower, bathe, urinate, eat, drink liquids, take any medications, smoke or brush your teeth if oral contact took place. Save all the clothing they were wearing and place each item in a separate paper bag. Do not use plastic bags. Do not clean any clothing garments. If the incident occurred in the home of person who was harmed, they should not clean or straighten until the police have an opportunity to collect evidence.
  • Seek medical care even if you think that you do not have any physical injuries, you should still have a medical examination and discuss with a health care provider the risk of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases and the possibility of pregnancy resulting from the sexual assault.
    • Our student campus resource lists provide local contact information for campus health care/student health and local health care centers.
    • Our employee campus resource lists provides local contact information for local health care centers.
  • If you suspect that you may have been given a drug, ask the clinician where you receive medical care to take a urine sample. Drugs, such as Rohypnol and GSB, are more likely to be detected in the urine than in blood.
  • Following an incident, person who was harmed is encouraged to make a report to campus or local police. If an individual needs assistance in notifying authorities, university officials can assist them in doing so. Filing a police report does not oblige prosecution but does provide the opportunity for the collection of evidence, investigation into the allegations and make legal action possible. The earlier an incident is reported the easier it is to collect valuable evidence. Further, reporting the crime can help the individual regain a sense of personal power and control and can also help to ensure the safety of others.
  • The person who was harmed has the option of keeping their report of sexual assault in complete confidence, protecting their right to anonymity, when making a report through the University Student Counseling or FEAP for employees and Health Care/Student Health. However, when reporting to other individuals at the University, the individual is expected to promptly report conduct that may violate the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy to the Title IX Coordinator. In addition, they are expected to report conduct that may also violate criminal law to both the Title IX Coordinator and to local law enforcement.
  • Write down as much as they can remember about the circumstances of the incident, including a description of the person who sexually assaulted them.
  • Talk with a confidential advocate who is trained to assist individuals who have experienced sexual assault with the emotional and physical impacts of the assault. Advocates are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  The University  student and employee resource lists provide local contact information for help centers, advocates and student and employee counselors.
  • Students and employees who have been sexually assaulted or harassed or complainants have access to university assistance in changing academic, living, working and transportation situations after an alleged incident. If the request is made by the student, employee or complainant and if such changes are reasonably available, accommodations to minimize burden on the student or employee.
  •  Individuals who have experienced sexual assault have multiple options to include and not limited to: Request Supportive Measures, Report or File a Formal Title IX Sexual Misconduct Complaint, Report incident to local police and file a criminal complaint. To begin the university process, the individual may contact:
    • Students should contact
    • Faculty and staff should contact
      • Carmen Sirizzotti, MBA
        Title IX Coordinator 
        402-559-2710
        Administrative Building, Office# 2010
      • Linda M. Cunningham, MPA
        Associate Director, Employee Relations & Organizational Development
        402-559-7394
        Administrative Building, Office# 2001

Once the university has been notified the university is obligated to investigate the incident and complete the process.