Trojan Bill of Rights

Victims, whether student or staff, and the accused are afforded rights by the federal government, the state, and the institution. All victims have the right to emotional and physical safety. These rights/options are for anyone who reports being a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking, whether the offense occurred on- or off-campus, and regardless of whether you choose to report the crime to campus police or local law enforcement.

Virginia Law outlines the following:

  • You have the right to know the range of sanctions the institution can impose on the accused, which include the following: written reprimand; denial of specified university privileges; fines; restitution; removal of the student from the course in progress; disciplinary probation; suspension; and expulsion.
  • Any disclosure of a sexual assault made to a University employee can result in a report as an annual crime statistic (with victim's name withheld).
  • You have a right to privacy and confidentiality. Unless you sign a waiver, no one can share information among one another or with any third party, including parents without your prior consent.
As a victim, you are entitled to the following rights:

  • You and the accused have the same opportunity to have others present throughout disciplinary proceedings.
  • You and the accused shall be informed simultaneously and in writing of the procedures, outcome and any changes to the results that occurs of any disciplinary proceeding. At no time can a victim be required to keep the outcome confidential.
  • You can obtain a free forensic exam from a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) or forensic nurse without filing a police report at St. Mary’s Hospital or VCU Medical Center. A free Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK) exam may be obtained from Southside Regional Medical Center.
You also have to the right to be:

  • Informed of your options to notify law enforcement or not.
  • Notified of counseling services that are available on- and off-campus.
  • Notified of options for obtaining protective orders, changing academic, living, transportation, and working situations, if so requested , and if such accommodations are reasonably available.

Additional Rights and Resources

The institution is committed to ensuring that you are afforded the following:

  • The right to an advocate of your choosing (For more information see resources below).
  • The right to access STI testing and treatment, emergency contraception, and pregnancy testing.
  • The right to be informed of and have access to medical, mental health, crisis response, legal, forensic, campus disciplinary, and/or victim advocacy services.
  • Law enforcement officers are not required to issue a minor-in-possession violation if you are underage and were drinking alcohol on the occasion of the assault.
  • In a campus disciplinary hearing, you have a variety of options for how you offer your testimony, including video conference, phone, or with room partition.

On-campus Resources

Counseling & Confidential Resources

  • Sexual Assault Prevention Services (804) 524-5939
  • University Counseling Center (804) 524-5939
  • United Campus Ministries (804) 524-5214
  • Medical Resources
    Student Health Services (804) 524-5711

Reporting & Investigation

  • Department of Police & Public Safety (804) 524-5360
  • Crime in progress: (804) 524-5411
  • Title IX Coordinator (804)524-1007 or (804) 524-5090

Off-campus Resources

  • Chesterfield Domestic & Sexual Violence Resource Center (Free Counseling and Support Groups) (804) 318-8265
  • LGBTQ Partner Abuse & Sexual Assault Helpline 1-866-356-6998
  • The James House (Free 24 hour Crisis intervention, Advocacy for hearings, support groups) (804) 458-2840
  • YWCA Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (Free 24 hour Crisis intervention, Advocacy for hearings, support groups) (804) 643-0888
  • Virginia Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline (Free 24 Hour Crisis Intervention and support) (800) 838-8238

Medical Resources

  • VCU Medical Center Forensic Nurse Examiner available 24 hours (804) 828-5250
  • Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital Forensic Nurse Examiner available 24 hours (804) 285-2011
  • Southside Regional Medical Center (804) 765-5000

Legal Services

  • Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (804) 648-1012
  • Central VA Legal Aid-Southside (804) 862-1100
  • Chesterfield County Victim Witness Assistance Program (804) 796-7087
  • Virginia Poverty Law Center, Inc. (804) 782-9430
  • Petersburg Victim Witness Assistance Program (804) 732-0226
  • View the Trojan Bills of Rights Notification Form
Sexual Violence Resources

Sexual Violence

Sexual Assault Awareness Trojan Bill of Rights

Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Bystander Intervention Risk Reduction

Contact Information

Important Numbers
5411 (On-Campus Emergency)
(804) 524-5360 (Main/Non-Emergency)
(804) 524-5223 (Parking)
(804) 524-5614 (Fax)
(804) 524-5598 (Office of the Chief of Police)

Confidential Reporting
Email: confidentialreporting@vsu.edu

VSU Police Dept.

VSU Police Department About Our Department Programs and Services Community Advisory Sexual Assault Awareness Reports and Policies Campus Security Act Campus Security Authorities

VSU Police Department

21012 Service Road
PO Box 9405
Petersburg, VA  23806
Emergency Phone (804)524-5411
Non-Emergency Phone (804)524-5360
Fax (804) 524-5614
police@vsu.edu

VSU Police Department