BYU-Hawaii student files lawsuit over honor code, assault

A former Brigham Young University-Hawaii student has filed a lawsuit alleging the school’s honor code prevented her from seeking help after she was sexually assaulted.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the lawsuit, filed Sept. 30 in Honolulu, claims the Mormon-owned school’s rules banning unmarried students from sexual activity made the victim feel like she could not report her assault. According to the lawsuit the victim had previously been suspended over an alleged violation of the school’s Honor Code.

A BYU-Hawaii spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit but said the university has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct.

The woman’s complaint comes as BYU-Provo faces a federal investigation into its compliance with Title IX, which requires universities to follow certain procedures when dealing with sexual assault on campus.

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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com