Promises to Victims of Crimes

Personal crimes, including assaults, sexual assaults, and hate crimes, are a very serious concern of the Miami University Police. Such offenses can be emotionally devastating to a victim, and they destroy the fabric of our community. We strongly encourage all victims of crime to file a police report, and we make the following guarantees to anyone who does.

Because the needs of a victim are our primary concern, we will:

  • Meet with you privately, at a place of your choice, to take a report. We will go with you to meet with another police agency if this is out of our jurisdiction.
  • Not prejudge you or blame you for what occurred.
  • Treat you professionally, with courtesy, sensitivity, dignity, and respect.
  • Do our best to make you feel comfortable while making your report.
  • Assist you and go with you in arranging for any hospital treatment or other medical needs.
  • Assist you in obtaining counseling, advising, and other available resources both on and off campus.
  • Do everything we can to protect your safety after making a report.
  • Thoroughly investigate your case and, if a perpetrator is identified, prosecute it criminally, unless you decide against it.
  • Keep you informed of the progress of the investigation and/or prosecution.
  • Always be available to answer questions and explain the criminal justice system and processes involved.
  • Consider your case seriously regardless of your gender or the suspect's.
  • A victim's request to speak to an officer of the same gender will be accommodated.

We are committed to making our community safer for everyone. Call us, we're your police.


Victims of crime often have many questions, and getting them answered by the police is an intimidating prospect. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers; we hope they will help to alleviate some of the fear a victim may have of calling the police or you can refer to Miami University's Sexual Assault and Interpersonal Violence resources for guidance.

What should I do if I am the victim of a sexual assault or rape?

Go to a place that is safe and seek medical treatment If a sexual assault occurs, safety and medical assistance are the first priorities. On campus and in the local area, 24-hour assistance is available. Call the police or go directly to the hospital (who will call the police for you). Whether or not you decide to report the incident, seek medical treatment immediately and get counseling as soon as possible. For the purpose of preserving evidence, do not douche, bathe, shower, or change clothes before seeking medical attention because valuable evidence may be lost. Preserving evidence is important in later pursuing a criminal or other judicial case. Do not wash sheets or other bed coverings where critical DNA evidence can be found. Evidence collection must take place as soon as possible after the incident occurs to preserve it correctly for prosecution.

If you need medical transportation to the hospital, call the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2222 or the Dean of Students at 513-529-1877. Calling for transport will not result in a criminal investigation unless the survivor wants to pursue one. Visits to the hospital for medical treatment and counseling are confidential. A qualified sexual assault counselor will meet with you and provide emotional support and advice on disciplinary and legal options.

Conversations with S.A.N.E. nurses and counselors are not disclosed to anyone (unless there is a threat of physical harm to that individual or others) without the expressed permission of the person seeking assistance.

Seek counseling Even if you don't report the sexual assault or press charges, you should seek emotional support. Counseling is available 24 hours a day by calling the independent Women Helping Women at 513-381-5610 or 1-877-889-5610. This program provides victim advocates who can meet survivors at the hospital, help them work through feelings, discuss options, and offer assistance with referrals and follow-up. Students may also seek assistance from the Student Counseling Service at 513-529-4634 during normal business hours. On-call counselors can be reached at any time through the university police dispatcher at 513-529-2222.

Report the sexual assault to the authorities The more often sexual assaults are reported, the easier it may be to prevent them. Reporting an assault to the University Police or other law enforcement or campus security authorities does not require filing criminal charges, but it does allow support systems to be put in place for the survivor. Reporting is best done as soon as possible after the assault, but it may be done at any time. Students can make their report to any campus security authority, including, but not limited to, University Police (513-529-2222), Oxford Police (513-524-5240), Office of Community Standards (513-529-1417), the Dean of Students (513-529-1877), Resident Advisors, advisors to recognized student organizations and athletic coaches. The University will assist students who report sexual assault in obtaining medical support and information regarding available legal and judicial resources as well as counseling and support services.

Students who choose to notify police should be aware of the importance of the immediacy of reporting the incident and the importance of preserving physical evidence at the assault scene as well as on the person assaulted. The gathering of physical evidence can provide important evidence and support criminal charges leading to a successful prosecution.

Students who are reporting an immediate assault should be accompanied to a health care facility of their choice to allow for collection of evidence and treatment. If a sexual assault victim chooses to report the incident days, weeks, or even months after the assault, important support systems are still available and can be arranged; however, criminal investigations are much more difficult.

Sexual assaults, for which individuals seek medical treatment, must be reported to the appropriate police unit by health care officials. However, as noted above, students are not required to criminally prosecute the case or file a police report, unless the sexual assault survivor is a minor.

Reporting an assault to the police ensures that the incident will be included in the University's annual crime statistics report. It does not commit you to pursuing the charge but does allow you to keep your options open.

Will I have to pay for the exam at the hospital?

You will not be billed for services. Survivors of sexual assault at Miami also are strongly encouraged to report it to police. But even if you don't know whether you want to prosecute, reporting will ensure the collection of evidence and the documentation of facts while they are still fresh in your mind.

Will my parents be notified of my report?

If you are 18 or older your parents will not be notified unless a life threatening circumstance requires it.

I am not yet 21 years old and had been drinking.  Will this be held against me?

No. Miami provides immunity for sexually assaulted students. While the University does not condone underage drinking or violation of other University policies, it considers reporting sexual misconduct including sexual misconduct/assaults to be of paramount importance, and Miami University will therefore extend limited immunity to students who have been the victim of sexual misconduct/ assault to encourage reporting and adjudication of sexual misconduct, including sexual misconduct/assaults on or off campus. This policy solely applies to instances of sexual misconduct/assault.

Who will investigate my report?

Depending on where the crime occurred, either the Miami University Police or the Oxford Police will take the report and be responsible for the criminal investigation. Regardless of who takes the initial report, however, both police departments may cooperate during the investigation.

Will the Police make me do anything I don't want to do, or make decisions for me?

It is the policy of the Miami University Police Department that victims make personal decisions for themselves during an investigation. Victims work directly with an investigator, who will answer questions and provide information to help them make informed decisions. Although the progress of the investigation depends almost entirely on the victim, the police will only make decisions for victims who are unable to make them for themselves (such as a victim suffering from serious injuries).

Will my name be in the newspaper?

Names and other identifiers of victims are not given to the media, published in safety bulletin, or listed on the front page of initial police reports (which are public record). General details, with no specifics, are sometimes given to the media because they help to generate investigative leads.

When is a Campus Safety Bulletin issued?

In the event that a crime occurs, on campus or on the public property surrounding campus, that, in the judgment of the Miami University Police constitutes an on-going serious or continuing threat to the campus community, a Safety Bulletin will be issued. The purpose of a Campus Safety Bulletin is to enable persons to protect themselves, and to heighten safety awareness as well as to seek information that will lead to an arrest and conviction of the perpetrator when violent crimes against persons or major crimes against property have occurred. Every attempt will be made to distribute a Safety Bulletin soon after the incident is reported; however, the release of the Safety Bulletin is subject to the availability of facts concerning the incident.

Safety Bulletins are usually distributed for the following Uniformed Crime Reporting Program (UCR)/National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) classifications: arson, criminal homicide, and robbery. Cases of aggravated assault and sex offenses are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the facts of the case and the information known by MUPD. For example, if an assault occurs between two students who have a disagreement, there may be no on-going threat to other Miami community members and a Safety Bulletins would not be distributed. In cases involving sexual assault, they are often reported long after the incident occurred, thus there is no ability to distribute a "timely" warning notice to the community. Sex offenses will be considered on a case by case basis depending on when and where the incident occurred, when it was reported, and the amount information known by the Miami University Police Department. The Miami University Police Chief or designee reviews all reports to determine if there is an on-going threat to the community and if the distribution of a Safety Bulletin is warranted. Safety Bulletins may also be posted for other crime classifications, as deemed necessary.

On the Oxford campus, the Chief of Police or a designee is responsible for preparing and distributing the Safety Bulletin via blast email. Safety Bulletins are posted on Crime Alerts and are distributed to students, faculty, and staff via an email blast.

The offices of Business Services on the Hamilton and Middletown campuses and the Director's office on the Voice of America Learning Center are responsible for preparing and distributing the Safety Bulletins for their respective campuses via email blast to their faculty, staff and students. The Dean of the Luxembourg campus or a designee is responsible for preparing and distributing the Safety Bulletin via email blast to its faculty, staff and students on that campus.

Is there someone at each police department I can call if I have further questions or concerns?

  • Oxford Police Department contact Lt. Dan Umbstead at 513-524-5242.
  • Miami University Police Department contact LT. Sgt. Jim Bechtolt at 513-529-1449.

What can I do if someone I know has been sexually assaulted?

If you know someone who has been sexually assaulted you can be of help. In the aftermath of a sexual assault the victim may be experiencing fear, insecurity, frustration, and need care and support from others. You, as a friend (or spouse/partner or family member), can play an important role by providing reassurance and support.

Allow your friend to reflect upon what has happened and the feelings experienced, but do not press for details. Let her/him set the pace. Listening is one of the best things you can do at this time. In short, be a trusted friend.

If your friend has not received medical attention, encourage her/him to do so. For additional help and support, call the Coordinator of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program or the Dean of Students at 513-529-1877, the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2222 or call the Women Helping Women at 513-381-5610 or 1-877-889-5610. Students may also seek assistance from Miami's Student Counseling Service by calling 513-529-4634. An advocate can accompany you and your friend to the hospital and expedite medical attention.

You can be a valuable resource to your friend by seeking out and providing information that will assist in understanding available options. For example, you can let your friend know that reporting the rape and collecting evidence does not automatically lock her/him into pursuing prosecution of the offender. What it does do is assist the police in identifying the method and possible identity of the assailant.

Making the decision to report a sexual assault to the police and to undergo the subsequent processes of evidence collection and possible judicial proceedings will be very difficult for your friend. Although it is only natural that you will want to give advice, you must avoid trying to control the situation. A victim of sexual assault needs to regain control and must be allowed to make her/his own decisions.

Whatever decisions are made by your friend needs to know that she/he will not be judged, disapproved of, or rejected by you. The victim of sexual assault can suffer a significant degree of physical and emotional trauma both during and immediately following the rape that may remain for a long time. Being patient, supportive, and non-judgmental you can provide a safe accepting climate into which your friend can release painful feelings

Training

MUPD takes all reported cases of sexual assault very seriously.  Our officers have taken numerous training classes on investigating sexual assaults and crime victim's rights.  Below is a listing of specific training:

  • Women Helping Women Annual Training
  • Campus Security Authority Online Course
  • Identifying and Preventing Bias in Officer Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence on Campuses
  • Law and Investigative Strategy: What Kind of Sexual Assault is This?
  • Reporting Protocol for VAWA Offenses
  • Crime Victims' Rights in Ohio Post Marsy's Law Training
  • Interviewing the Victim: Techniques Based on the Realistic Dynamics of Sexual Assault
  • Responding to Sexual Assault

The following online courses courtesy of End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI)

  • Effective Report Writing: Using Language of Non-Consensual Sex
  • Dynamics: What Does Sexual Assault Really Look Like?
  • Victim Impact: How Victims Are Affected by Sexual Assault and How Law Enforcement Can Respond