Sexual and Dating Violence
This web page is a free resource accessible to anyone at American University and beyond. It exists to help the campus community navigate their options and make informed decisions about healthy lifestyles and reducing risk behaviors.
Title IX Basics
- Title IX protexts all people regarless of sex
- Schools must have an established procedure for handling sexual misconduct
- In cases of sexual violence, schools are prohibited from resolving complaints through mediation
- All schools must have a Title IX Coordinator
- Schools may not retaliate against a victim filing a complaint
How Can You Help a Friend?
Read the basics below. Click the link to learn more about how you can support a friend.
Supporting a Survivor
- Validate and accept a survivor’s experience
- Be trustworthy
- Be an active listener
- Let them know that options for next steps are available and they are not hopeless
Next Steps
- Medical
- Encourage suvivors to seek medical attention as soon as possible
- Evidence Collection
- Survivors should not shower, brush teeth or change clothes until after evidence collection
- Evidence can be collected up to 96 hours after an assault
- Evidence is usefil in a criminal investigation but does not mandate survivors to fill out a police report
- Reporting
- Report to the Title IX Office on Campus or Metropolitan Police Department
Contact the American University Title IX Office
Monday-Friday 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.
Office of the Vice President of Campus Life 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8127
What is Dating Violence?
Dating violence is controlling, abusive, and aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship. It can happen in any relationship. Dating violence can include verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.
How can the Title IX Office Help Me?
- Connect to resources
- File a report
- Help with the investigation process
Off-Campus Resources
- D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- 1-800-799-SAFE
- dccadv.org
- My Sister’s Place
- 1-844-443-5732
- mysistersplace.org
- D.C. Safe
- 1-844-443-5732
- dcsafe.org
- Metropolitan Police Department
- 202- 727-7137
On-Campus Confidential Resources
- Victim Advocates- Office of Advocacy Services for Interpersonal and Sexual Violence (OASIS) Health Promotion & Advocacy Center, Hughes Hall; (202) 885-7070; OASIS@american.edu
https://www.american.edu/ocl/promote-health/oasis - Counseling Center-Mary Graydon Center 214 (including the satellite location in the Washington College of Law) https://www.american.edu/ocl/counseling/
- Medical Providers – Student Health Center
McCabe Hall first floor; (202) 885-3380; shc@american.edu
https://www.american.edu/ocl/healthcenter/ - Ordained Clergy – Kay Spiritual Life Center
Kay Spiritual Life Center lower level; (202) 885-3320; kslc@american.edu
https://www.american.edu/ocl/kay/