Assault in any form (verbal or physical) is strictly prohibited on the AIC campus. Any such offense will be taken seriously and will result in an imme­diate audience with the College administration, which may order that the offender be removed from College grounds. Any faculty member or student guilty of assaulting a student, staff member, or faculty member may be expelled from the College.

Important definitions presented by the American Council on Education and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.

According to the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, domestic violence is defined as, “. . . asserted violent misdemeanor and felony offenses committed by the victim’s current or former spouse, current or former cohabitant, person similarly situated under domestic or family violence law, or anyone else protected under domestic or family violence law.”

Under the act named above, “Dating violence means violence by a person who has been in a romantic or intimate relationship with the victim. Whether there was such relationship will be gauged by its length, type, and frequency of interaction.”

The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 defines stalking as, “…a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for her, his, or others’ safety, or to suffer substantial emotional distress.”

Cases of sexual assault and sexual abuse have to be reported immediately to the responsible law enforcement agency and – if necessary – a health care provider. Sexual assault may take place if a sexual act is executed a) under force or threat b) with a minor c) with a person unable to understand the circumstances or d) without consent/ with a person unable to give consent. According to the Illinois Criminal Code of 2012, “’Consent’” means a freely given agreement to the act of . . . sexual conduct in question. Lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission by the victim resulting from the use of force or threat of force by the accused shall not constitute consent. The manner of dress of the victim at the time of the offense shall not constitute consent.”

Read Policy on Sexual Harassment and Misconduct

The College provides training workshops, conferences, and seminars on this important topic. AIC is committed to creating a safe space on campus for all attendees. Confidentiality and safety are top priorities. All students, faculty, and staff are required to participate in such trainings to prevent all forms of sexual and gender-based violence on campus.