On Sunday morning, Southeast Missouri State University Department of Public Safety received a report from the Universitys Campus Violence Prevention Program of a sexual assault that occurred on campus. The incident is currently under investigation and has been referred to the Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorneys Office.
When an event occurs that poses a threat to the campus community, we are prepared to inform and alert our campus community for their safety. Early Sunday during the course of the investigation, University Police identified and located the person of interest and determined that there was no immediate or continuing danger to our campus community.
At no time throughout this investigation did University Police assess there was an immediate threat or danger to our student body. The safety of our students is our highest priority.
Southeast is committed to fostering a learning, living and working environment in which all members of the University community and students are safe and secure. Sexual misconduct is a serious violation of the criminal code and the Universitys Student Code of Conduct. It is not tolerated within our University community.
All members of the Southeast community are strongly encouraged to promptly report all incidents of sexual misconduct to one of the following offices: the Department of Public Safety, Campus Violence Prevention Program, Counseling and Disability Services, the Dean of Students Office and the Office of Student Conduct. There is no time limit for reporting an incident, and our highest priority is the well-being and safety of our students and community at all time.
Our programs and resources provide 24-hour support for students in crisis, information on students rights and reporting options, advocacy services at the University, hospital, police, court and legal systems; long-term counseling and resources for healing; and referrals to community resources.
For more information about Southeasts Campus Violence Prevention Program, visit http://www.semo.edu/ucs/violence-prevention/.
For more information about the Universitys Student Code of Conduct, http://www.semo.edu/stuconduct/.