Title IX Supportive Measures and Resources for Complainants and Respondents
Two-way supportive measure no contact orders are available through the Title IX Office and do not require the filing of a formal complaint. For the Title IX Office to issue a two-way no contact order, both parties must be members of the JMU community. Two-way no contact orders prohibit both parties from engaging in direct, third party, and electronic communication on and off campus for as long as the two-way no contact order is in effect. Two-way no contact orders typically expire six months from the time of issuance, and either party involved in the two-way no contact order may request a renewal.
Two-way supportive measure no contact orders do not prohibit either party from being in the same public spaces, participating in classes or organizations, attending events, using public campus facilities, or accessing their own private spaces such as an assigned apartment room or residence hall room. If both parties are routinely in the same places at the same time, Title IX may reach out to both parties to explore options.
Two-way supportive measure no contact orders do not prohibit contact through a third party for the purposes of conducting lawful activity during a pending criminal or civil case, or other specific extenuating circ*mstances as determined by Title IX.
Contact Title IX to request a two-way supportive measure no contact order.
The Title IX Office offers academic assistance to complainants and respondents such as assistance with academic schedule changes, communication to faculty about absences, and requests for additional time on assignments. To send notifications to faculty, the Title IX Office must have written permission from the student. Upon receipt of written permission, the Title IX Office will send emails to the student’s faculty and will copy the student on each of the emails so the student can follow up with the faculty member to explore what if any options may reasonably be available for the student to make up missed work or receive extra time on assignments. The decision about what if any options may be available rests with the faculty member, and correspondence from the Title IX Office to faculty should not be construed as anything other than an initiation of communication and a request.
Refer to Support for Pregnancy/Pregnancy Related Conditions for information on reasonably available academic adjustments for students who are pregnant/experiencing pregnancy related conditions.
The Title IX Office can assist students with accessing temporary on-campus housing or temporary on-campus housing changes. Students may also contact the Office of Residence Life directly to request an on-campus housing change for themselves.
The Title IX Office can also assist students with accessing law enforcement, health, mental health, and advocacy resources on and off campus.
Law Enforcement Options and Resources
If you are experiencing a crime, witness a crime, or believe a crime has been committed against you or someone in the JMU Community, please contact JMU Police immediately at540-568-6911 (on campus) or 911 (off campus).
Reporting an incident or filing a formal complaint with the Title IX Office does not restrict anyone’s ability to also report criminal conduct to law enforcement and to pursue both options simultaneously or not at all. Individuals who have experienced or become aware of criminal sexual misconduct are encouraged to report incidents directly to law enforcement.
To report incidents that occurred on campus, contact theJames Madison University Police Department: General information and assistance (540-568-6912), on- campus emergencies (540-568-6911).
Please take the time to review theJMU Police Department Complainants RightsforCrimes of Violence: Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking.
Safety escorts are available through JMU Police Department to any student on campus, free of charge. Refer to the safety escort website for available hours and information on how to request a ride.
If you are experiencing a crime, witness a crime, or believe a crime has been committed against you or someone in the JMU Community, please contact JMU Police immediately at540-568-6911 (on campus) or 911 (off campus).
Anyone who has experienced or has information about an incident of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or other criminal activity that has occurred off campus in Harrisonburg or Rockingham County should contact either the Harrisonburg Police Department or Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office.
Complainants who have experienced a criminal sex offense are encouraged to consider the following actions:
• As with any crime, it is important to preserve evidence. Do not destroy physical evidence that may be found. If the offense occurred within the past 72 hours, evidence of criminal activity may be preserved. Evidence may be collected even if the complainant chooses not to make a report to law enforcement. The evidence collected can be held until a decision is made about pursuing legal action. In instances where the complainant wishes to remain anonymous, the evidence collected at the hospital can be forwarded to the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Service of the Virginia Department of General Services as an anonymous physical evidence recovery kit where it will be stored for two years. During this time the complainant may choose to release the kit to law enforcement.
• Do not destroy the physical evidence that may be found in the vicinity of the crime. If the crime occurred in the complainant’s home, the individual should not clean or straighten until the police have had an opportunity to collect evidence if contacted. Preservation of evidence may assist in proving that the alleged criminal offense occurred or may be helpful in obtaining a protective order.
• Do not shower, bathe, or douche. Do not urinate, if possible. Do not eat, drink liquids, smoke or brush teeth if oral contact took place.
• Keep the clothes worn during the offense. If clothes are changed, place clothes in a paper bag (evidence deteriorates in plastic).
A protective order is a legal order issued by a magistrate or judge to protect the health and safety of people who have been subjected to an act involving violence, force, or threats that results in bodily injury or places the person in reasonable fear of death, sexual assault, or bodily injury. There are different types of protective orders. The JMU Victim’s Advocates can help JMU community members to determine what if any type of protective order to request and may be able to provide accompaniment to request one.JMU Police Department may also be able to provide accompaniment to obtain one.
Confidential On-Campus Advocacy, Mental Health, and Medical Resources
Victim Advocacy at JMU is a free, confidential, trauma-informed, and individualized service available to students who have experienced sexual assault, dating, domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, and other forms of sexual misconduct and harassment on the basis of sex or gender that is individualized to each person’s needs.
Advocates are a great source of information and support and are equipped to help students who have experienced sexual misconduct navigate what feels best for the student. Advocates can help explain options and processes and can provide accompaniment to medical appointments, appointments with Title IX, law enforcement to make a report, and to the magistrate or judge to request a protective order.
Confidential individual and group counseling is available to JMU students free of charge through the University Counseling Center located on the 3rdfloor of the Student Success Center. Refer to the Counseling Center website for information on how to access counseling on campus as well as how to connect with counseling assistance in an emergency situation and after hours.
Employees who are insured should inquire with Human Resources about options available through EAP (Employee Assistance Program).
The University Health Center located on the 1stand 2ndfloor of the Student Success Center offers a variety of health services to JMU students including urgent care, lab services, STD/STI testing, GYN clinic, and medical treatment by appointment.
Off-Campus Advocacy, Mental Health, and Medical Resources
The Collins Center in Harrisonburg offers a 24-hour Crisis Hotline for members of the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County area community - including students - who wish to seek support and information in response to an experience of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, abuse, stalking, and other forms of interpersonal violence. The 24-hour Crisis Hotline number is 540-434-2272.
The Collins Center also provides victim’s advocacy, including accompaniment to medical exams, court, and law enforcement for Harrisonburg and Rockingham County area residents-including students-who have experienced sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence stalking, and other forms of interpersonal violence and abuse. They can also help area residents connect with confidential group and individual counseling.
A SANE exam is a comprehensive medical examination that can be conducted after a sexual assault by a registered nurse who has received specialized training to conduct such an exam. During a SANE exam the nurse performing the exam can collect physical evidence. In Virginia this evidence collection and recovery is called a PERK Kit. A “blind” PERK kit can be collected if the victim is not sure yet if they want to file criminal charges. Locally, SANE exams are available in the emergency services department of Sentara RMH hospital. Advocates typically will accompany an individual to a SANE exam or may be called in by the hospital to provide accompaniment.
Sentara RMH Hospital offers comprehensive emergency and non-emergency medical services including SANE exams and STI/STD testing.
National Resources for Receiving Help and Support
There are a number of safety assessment resources that are available for survivors of sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking that can be accessed online and can help survivors to self-assess their level of safety and explore options, confidentially, for accessing greater safety.
- Seek then Speakoffers sexual assault survivors and support people a way to privately gather information and explore options for medical care, supportive services, and reporting.
- myPlanis an anonymous web app that guides you through safety planning if you are experiencing dating, domestic, or relational violence.
- SHARP is a short self assessment for stalking situations.
- NNEDV Technology Safety Tool Kitcontains tech-related safety tips and strategies for survivors of sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking.
The JMU Victim Advocacy Resource Page includes these resources and many more.
There are a number of confidential online identity-specific resources for survivors of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, and gender identity and sexual identity harassment and discrimination. This is just a small selection. Contact JMU Victim Advocacy or visit their resources page for more.
- Virginia Anti Violence Project for survivors in the LGBTQ+ community
- FORGEis a national transgender anti-violence organization.
- 1 in 6 for male identifying survivors
- End Abuse of People with Disabilities
- Arte Asanais a national Latina-led non-profit committed to ending sexual violence.
- Faith Trust Internationalis a multifaith, multicultural organization addressing religious and cultural issues related to sexual and domestic violence and abuse.
- Heartpromotes sexual violence awareness and sexual health among Muslim communities.
- Jewish Women International, which leadsNational Alliance to End Domestic Abuse and Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
- Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault
- National Association of Asian and Pacific Islanders Ending Violence
- Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
- National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project
- DeafLEAD
