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Reporting a sexual assault

SMU encourages anyone who has been sexually assaulted to alert police as soon as it is safe to do so. To reach SMU Police:

  • Call 911 from a campus phone
  • Call 214-768-3333 from a cell phone (note: calling 911 from a cell phone on campus will connect you with surrounding police stations but not SMU Police)
  • Pick up a blue-light phone on campus

In the case of assaults off campus, call 911 to reach police in that jurisdiction or call 214-768-3333 to reach SMU Police, who can connect students with police in the appropriate jurisdiction.

When an on-campus sexual assault is reported to SMU Police, police officials conduct an immediate investigation, which may include gathering evidence and witness statements; determining probable cause; and obtaining search and arrest warrants. SMU Police also notify the Dallas County District Attorney's Office that a sexual assault has been reported and is under investigation.

A student may decide immediately or at a later date to pursue charges and prosecution in a Texas criminal court. A student also may decide not to pursue charges and may sign an affidavit of non-prosecution. In addition, a student may decide to pursue an SMU conduct review process. SMU Police can provide information and assistance with the criminal process; the Office of the Dean of Student Life can provide information and assistance with the conduct review process. Learn more about criminal and disciplinary options here.

SMU prohibits threats or acts of retaliation against students involved in a report of sexual assault or assisting with an investigation. Students who are threatened in any way should report their concerns to the Office of the Dean of Student Life, 214-768-4564, or the SMU Title IX Coordinator, 214-768-3601.

Reporting and confidentiality

In addition to SMU Police, students may choose to report sexual assaults to other officials on campus. To the extent possible, campus officials will protect the privacy and confidentiality of all parties involved in a report of sexual assault. However, federal law requires campus officials to disclose specific, limited information. The federal requirements are detailed below, as well as contact information for campus officials who can offer confidentiality and those who can offer limited confidentiality.

These campus resources are available to all students, including students who have been accused of sexual misconduct or assault, witnesses in sexual misconduct or assault cases, and friends of students involved in these cases. 

Confidential resources

Mental health counselors, pastoral counselors and health care providers must honor confidentiality, except under very limited circumstances such as an imminent threat of danger to self or others. All campus officials, including these confidential resources, are required by the federal Clery Act to notify SMU Police that a sexual assault has been reported, but they are not required to provide the name of the person reporting the assault.

Community resources including the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center, 972-641-7273 (24-hour hotline), also provide confidential counseling.

Other campus officials

These campus officials are required by Title IX to provide information about a sexual assault report to the SMU Title IX coordinator or designee for investigation and follow-up. They also are required by the federal Clery Act to notify SMU Police that a sexual assault has been reported, but they are not required to provide the name of the person reporting the assault. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Student Life, 214-768-4564, or Title IX Coordinator, 214-768-3601.

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SMU News & Communications, 214-768-7650, smunews@smu.edu