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Dating Violence is defined as violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the reporting party’s statement and with consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. For the purposes of this definition

• dating violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse
• dating violence does not include acts covered under the definition of domestic violence.

Domestic Violence is defined as a felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed

• by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim
• by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common
• by a person who is cohabitating with, or has cohabitated with, the victim as a spouse or intimate partner
• by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred;
• by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred.

Stalking is defined as engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to

• fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or
• suffer substantial emotional distress.

See the university’s Sexual Misconduct Policy

If you are a victim

If you have been a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or any violation under the university’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, we encourage you to report the matter to Public Safety or the Dean of Student’s Office.

You can file a police report directly by calling 911. If you wish, Public Safety can assist you with filing a police report.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.

Victims of sexual/domestic violence, stalking, or other unwanted contact, may wish to pursue a restraining order or order for protection. Here are the differences between the two:

• Harassment Restraining Order (HRO): An HRO can be pursued if you have been the victim of a single incident of physical or sexual assault, or if there have been repeated intrusive or unwanted acts against you.
• Order for Protection (OFP): An OFP can be pursued if you’ve been the victim of domestic violence and fear for your safety.

What can you do?

For information about filing a restraining order or order for protection, visit the county in which you reside.

A criminal police report is not required to apply for either order. Application forms can be printed and completed prior to going to court. The application process time can vary, but can several hours. There is a filing fee for an HRO, but there is no filing fee for an OFP. It is strongly recommended you maintain your own personal records regarding any incidents, as well as copies of mailings, emails, texts, photos, medical records, etc., in addition to any copies of police or court records you may obtain.

Student advocacy and support resources are available through The CARE Team.

Per the St. Thomas sexual misconduct policy: Consent is clear conduct or words that indicate a person freely agrees to engage in a sexual act at the time of the act, subject to the following:

• In order to give consent, one must be of legal age.
• Consent must be knowing and voluntary.
• Silence or failing to resist a sexual act does not constitute consent. Lack of a negative response does not constitute consent. Consent is a freely given “yes” (through words or conduct), not the absence of “no.”
• A person who is asleep or unconscious cannot consent to a sexual act.
• Consent may not be obtained through threats or coercion.
• Consent to one form of sexual activity does not imply consent to other forms of sexual activity. A person who would like to initiate a new form of sexual activity is responsible for obtaining consent for that form of sexual activity.
• Consent, once given, may be withdrawn at any time. Withdrawal of consent must be clearly communicated through words or conduct. When consent is withdrawn, the sexual activity must stop.
• Consent is not effective if a person knows, or reasonably should know, that the other person is incapacitated, regardless of the reason for incapacitation.

Although consent does not need to be verbal, verbal communication is the most reliable way to ask for and determine whether consent has been given. The University’s definition of consent is an affirmative consent standard.

If you are still unsure on what does/does not constitute consent, watch the video:

St. Thomas has trained professionals to help students through mental health issues. Counseling and Psychological Services are available to all students. St. Thomas employees are eligible for initial consultation or referral appointments.

The Counseling and Psychological Services Office is located in the Center for Well-Being at 35 South Finn Street. Appointments are available on the Minneapolis campus. Call 651-962-6750.

Suicide Prevention

If you are in crisis, and fear you may harm yourself, get help immediately. If you live on campus, contact Public Safety at 651-962-5555. If you live off campus, dial 911.

Urgent Care counseling is available through Counseling and Psychological Services.

Locally, the Canvas Health Crisis Connection is available 24 days, 365 days a year at 612-379-6363.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

If you know somebody who is struggling, tell someone. Contact your RA, Hall Director, the Dean of Student's Office, The CARE Team, or Public Safety.

Some students make the decision to live in rental homes and apartments near campus. Before signing a lease, it's important for students to know their rights and responsibilities as renters. Off-Campus Student Life is specifically set up to provide information and guidance to students seeking to rent housing.

St. Thomas Public Safety works around the clock to ensure the safety of students, staff, faculty and visitors of the university, but by striving to increase your personal safety, you can help avoid potentially harmful situations.

Read more about Personal Safety Habits

When it comes to personal safety, today’s college students live in a world that requires vigilance and awareness. The Public Safety Department works to foster a safe environment, but students share responsibility. Families can help prepare their students to practice good personal safety.

Read the Tips for Families