University of Portland changes rape reporting policy

Last year we reported how a University of Portland student, after reporting being raped, was threatened by the school with charges of underage drinking.

In making the university’s decision, UP judicial coordinator Natalie Shank suggested to Kerns that she could have been charged with violating university policies herself.
“Based upon my findings in my investigation, I am unable to determine if a sexual assault occurred,” Shank wrote May 3, 2007. “I have reason to believe that intercourse occurred, but both parties admit to drinking and therefore, consent–or lack of consent–is difficult to determine. Given these facts, there are possible violations for which you could be charged.”

Well, we have some good news. According to StudentActivism.net, the school’s sexual assault reporting policies have been revised.
The school handbook now reads:

“To foster the safety and security of the entire community, the University of Portland encourages reporting of all instances of sexual assault. However, no disciplinary action will be taken without the consent of the survivor. To remove barriers to reporting, the University will not pursue potential policy violations of the survivor which occurred in the context of the sexual assault. Likewise, the University will not pursue potential policy violations of a person who comes forward to report sexual assault.”

I love good news.