Violence Against Women Act of 1994

Important Information about the Violence Against Women Act of 1994

The HEA defines the new crime categories of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in accordance with section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 as follows:

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,
• a person with whom the victim shares a child in common,
• a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner,
• a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the   jurisdiction receiving grant monies [under VAWA], or
• 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.”

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; and
• where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following  factors:
  • the length of the relationship;
  • the type of relationship; and
  • the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.”

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

• fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or
• suffers substantial emotional distress.

Conduct: Engaging in two or more acts, including but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person’s property.

Sexual Violence
The definition of “sexual violence” includes, but is not limited to, rape, forced sodomy, forced oral copulation, rape by a foreign object, sexual battery, or threat of sexual assault.

1. In the event of a sexual violence dial – 911 and make report to Police
2. Contact the Campus Safety Personnel to report the incident
3. When reporting the sexual violence to your local police, request medical treatment. Preserving the evidence from the assault is important. The following is a listing offered regarding the preservation of evidence:

• Do not change clothes until you have received medical attention. Do not touch anything the suspect may have touched.
• Do not bathe until you have received medical attention.
• The survivor of a sexual violence is urged to seek counseling shortly after the sexual assault has occurred.
• Victims of sexual violence may receive free confidential 24 hour counseling by calling the Rape Abuse Incest National Network Hotline 1-800-656-4673 extension 1.
• The school strongly advocates that a victim of sexual violence report the incident in a timely manner.  Victims may report a sexual violence to the Director’s Office or other appointed Administrators. Victims of sexual violence also have the option of notifying local law enforcement.  If requested by the student who is the victim of a sexual violence, the school will assist the student in notifying law enforcement.  In addition, below are list of outside agencies able to further assist those victims of sexual violence.

Alexandria Sexual and Domestic V>iolence Advocacy Program

 421 Kind Street, Suite 400

Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 746-4911 (Domestic Violence: 24 HR. Hotline)

(703) 683-7273 (Sexual Violence: 24 HR. Hotline)

www.alexandriava.gov

Arlington County Violence Intervention Program

 2100 Washington Boulevard, 2 Floor

Arlington, VA 22204

(703) 228-4848 (24 HR. Hotline)

 www.arlingtonva.us