Policies and Laws

The responsibility of preventing sexual assault lies with the person initiating sexual behavior, as that is the person who has the power to stop what he or she is doing.

The BGSU Code of Student Conduct states: physical contact or other non-physical conduct, however slight, of a sexual nature in the absence of consent or when it involves compelling a person to submit to such conduct by force, threat of force, use of intoxicants to impair a victim’s ability to give consent, or otherwise taking advantage of any impairment that might render a person incapable of making a decision about sexual activity. This includes sex-based violence and sexual harassment. 

Only a person's consent gives one the right to engage in sexual contact. Know the components of consent:

• Consent must be voluntary. 
• An individual cannot consent who is: 
  • Substantially impaired by any drug or intoxicant; or 
  • Who has been compelled by force, threat of force, or deception; or 
  • Who is unaware that the act is being committed; or 
  • Whose ability to consent is impaired because of a mental or physical condition; or 
  • Who is coerced by supervisory or disciplinary authority. 
• Consent may be withdrawn at any time. 
• Prior sexual activity or relationship does not, in and of itself, constitute consent. 
• An individual must be of legal age to give consent, as defined by the State of Ohio.