Family Crisis Center helps students

Brigham Young University in Provo recently announced it will re-evaluate the way it addresses sexual assault cases on campus and many are wondering if BYU-Idaho in Rexburg will follow suit.

The procedure was questioned after a BYU student came forward for feeling re-victimized by the university. Shortly after she reported the case to Provo Police she said she was then investigated by the school for honor code violations.

The Family Crisis Center in Rexburg has worked with sexual assault victims in the past, and said some of the victims come directly from BYU-Idaho and have been scared to report sexual assaults because of consequences connected to the Honor code.

Executive Director Margie Harris said the last thing a victim wants is to feel not believed.

“There is that potential that they can be re-victimized by the system,” she said.

The honor code is a written contract that students sign in which they promise they will not engage in any drinking or sex during their time at BYU-Idaho.

“Students on campus that if they reported a sexual assault or reported anything like that to campus that they can get in trouble. That it could effect their education and that they can be kicked out,” Harris said.

Violations of the code can lead to a student being expelled or otherwise punished.

“Yes, I can and I have to say in the past there were several students that I felt were re-victimized by the honor code department,” Harris said.

When asked if any similar cases occurred at BYU-Idaho, the university responded with the following statement.

“Brigham Young University-Idaho continues to review its policies and procedures to ensure student safety and personal well-being remains a top priority.”

Harris said she’s seen changes within the last year and that the school has reached out to her for guidance.

“They are communicating with us and talking to us about how they want to have their campus and what they can do to keep their students safe. And over come that fear that students have of reporting.”

Some U.S. colleges with codes of conduct have an immunity clause under which they investigate and punish only the perpetrator, the victim is protected and will not be punished under the clause.

Harris said the Family Crisis Center is developing a peer advocacy program, that aims at helping high school students and BYU-Idaho students who have been victims of sexual assault.

To learn more about sexual assault visit familycrisiscenter.info.