About Sexual Assault, Intimate Partner Violence and Consent
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. Falling under the definition of sexual assault are sexual activities as forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, and attempted rape.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health problem that affects millions of Americans. Intimate partner violence describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy.
Consent for sexual activity is generally defined to mean that both people in a sexual encounter agree to it. However, consent cannot be given by someone who is incapacitated or otherwise cannot make the decision to engage in a sexual act. The Texas Penal Code, chapter 22, defines consent in the State of Texas.
How to Report Sexual Assaults
An employee or other individual who believes she or he has been sexually assaulted should immediately report the conduct to the campus Title IX Coordinator:
University of North Texas
LaToya Haynes, MSW
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Assistant Vice President, Division of Finance & Administration
Director, Equal Opportunity & Title IX
Title IX Coordinator | ADA Coordinator
LaToya.Haynes@unt.edu 940.565.2759
UNT HSC
Dr. Maureen McGuinness, Title IX Coordinator
3500 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Student Service Center 160
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Maureen.McGuinness@untsystem.edu | 817.735.5919
UNT Dallas
Dr. Maureen McGuinness, Title IX Coordinator
7300 University Hills Blvd.
Dal 1, Suite 356G
Dallas, TX 75241
Maureen.McGuinness@untsystem.edu | 817.735.5919
UNT System Administration
Dr. Maureen McGuinness, Title IX Coordinator
3500 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Student Service Center 160
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Maureen.McGuinness@untsystem.edu | 817.735.5919
Students may find assistance here:
Faculty, staff and students also can report an assault at area municipal police departments, or at these campus police departments:
- UNT - 940.565.3000
- UNTHSC - 817.735.5919
- UNT Dallas - 972.780.3000
- UNT College of Law and UNT System Administration – 911 or local police
- Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may report here and will find information about the use of and purpose of an anonymous report.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, follow the guidelines and resources below to obtain care, counseling and assistance.
Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence Resources
Here are some resources available in the cities where UNT System components are located. Human Resources provides this list as a service to faculty, staff and students, but it is not intended as a comprehensive or legal guide. Information on websites and with services listed here is provided by the owner of the website.
SANE Program
The international Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program trains caregivers to offer compassionate care to victims of sexual violence who go to emergency departments and urgent care centers with a SANE program. The SANEs provide the expert forensic and medical treatment needed to increase successful prosecutions of sex offenders and to assure essential medical intervention to victims of violence. Find SANE providers.
Dallas
- Methodist Health System Dallas, 1441 N. Beckley Ave., 214.947.8181, ER sign in
- Parkland Memorial Hospital 5200 Harry Hines Blvd., 214.590.8000, Victim Intervention Program (VIP)/Rape Crisis Center, 214.590.0430.
- Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, 8200 Walnut Hill Lane, 214.345.7886, SANE, 214.345.6203.
Denton
Denton County Friends of the Family, 4845 South I-35 E, Suite 200, Corinth; 24 Hour Crisis Line, 940.382.7273 or 800.572.4031. This community-based SANE initiative dispatches SANEs and advocates to area hospitals when a patient reports sexual assault.
Fort Worth
- JPS (John Peter Smith Hospital), 1500 S. Main Street, SANE, 817.702.1100 (24 hours) or leave message at 817.702.7263.
- Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth, 1301 Pennsylvania, SANE or leave message at 817.250.4293.
- Texas Health Harris Methodist Southwest Hospital, 6100 Harris Parkway; 817.250.4293, or go to Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth, SANE.
Crisis Centers, Shelters and Information
- Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center – 24 hour hotline, 972.641.7273
- The Women’s Center of Tarrant County - 24-hour hotline - 817.927.2737
- Texas Association Against Sexual Assault - 1.844.303.SAFE (7233)
- National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1.800.656.HOPE (4673)
- SAFE Haven Freedom from Domestic Violence, Women Only - 1.877.701.7233
- Texas Attorney General Crime Victim Services
- Womenshealth.gov - U.S. Department of Health and Human Service
- National Network to End Domestic Violence
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
Assistance for Men
- MALESurvivor – for male survivors of sexual abuse
- Tarrant County Rape Crisis Center at Women’s Center of Tarrant County - 24-hour hotline, 817.927.2737
- Texas Attorney General Crime Victim Services
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
Confidential Employee Assistance Program
UNT System Human Resources offers a free, confidential Employee Assistance Program to assist with family, legal or financial issues.
Protection Against Retaliation
Retaliation against any person who reports or encourages another to report sexual assault or retaliation, who participates in an investigation conducted under policies, or who seeks assistance or guidance from any UNT System component department or external official or organization authorized to remediate conduct prohibited under this policy ... is strictly prohibited.
Non-Emergency Questions
If you or someone you know, have been sexually assaulted, please refer to the resources above. If you have a question about policies related to harassment, sexual violence or similar issues, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at HRS.EO@untsystem.edu. Discussions are confidential.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit - and takes actions to prevent discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, family status, genetic information, citizenship or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System immediately investigates and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.
More Information
For more information see Sexual Assault Anonymous Reporting