Our new website is almost here! While we wrap up the move, some pages may take a moment to load or be temporarily unavailable.
Need Help?
Compliance & Policy

Safety Policies

Report the Violence — Understanding the Clery and Campus SaVE Act

Understanding the Clery & Campus SaVE Act

Jeanne Clery was raped and murdered in her residence hall on April 5th, 1986, and in 1991 Congress passed the Clery Act. This federal statute requires colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs to maintain and disclose campus crime and fire statistics along with security information through a published annual safety report.

On March 7th, 2013, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA) was signed into law. The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act, part of VAWA, amended the Clery Act.

Addresses Campus Sexual Violence

The SaVE Act addresses campus sexual violence policies comprehensively.

Increases Transparency

Increased transparency relating to sexual violence, assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

Enhances Victim's Rights

Guarantees victim's enhanced rights, improves reporting and support, sets standards for disciplinary proceedings, and requires education programs.

Who's Responsible to Report?

Officials with significant responsibility for student and campus activities.

Vice Presidents of Student Life, Admissions, Marketing, Advancement
Dean of Academic Affairs
Directors of Residence Life, Campus Safety, Facilities and Grounds
Athletic Director, Coaches, and Athletics Staff
Faculty and Staff
Advisors to Students
R/A's and Campus Safety Employees
All supervisory personnel

Contact the Department of Campus Safety for assistance when any act of violence is reported.

Understanding Arizona Law

Know your rights and understand how Arizona law addresses violence, harassment, and related offenses.

Under Arizona Law (ARS 13-3601), domestic violence includes the following crimes:

  • Dangerous Crimes Against Children (13-604.01)
  • Endangerment (13-1201)
  • Threatening and Intimidating (13-1202)
  • Assault (13-1203) and Aggravated Assault (13-1204)
  • Custodial Interference (13-1302)
  • Unlawful Imprisonment (13-1303) and Kidnapping (13-1304)
  • Criminal Trespass (13-1502-1504)
  • Criminal Damage (13-1602)
  • Disorderly Conduct (13-2904)
  • Telephone Harassment (13-2916)
  • Stalking (13-2923)
  • Sexual Assault (13-1406 and 13-1425)
  • Abuse of a Child or Vulnerable Adult (13-3623)

When Is It Domestic Violence?

When the crime is committed against: a spouse or former spouse, persons residing or having resided in the same household (roommates), persons having a child in common, a party who is pregnant by the other party, a parent, grandparent, grandson, stepchild, brother, or sister, or a child who resides or has resided in the same household.

When a police officer believes an act of domestic violence has occurred, they are required by law to arrest the aggressor when an injury occurs, or when a weapon is used or threatened to be used. They may make an arrest when any act of domestic violence occurs even when the other party does not want to prosecute.

Arizona law no longer uses the term "rape," replacing it with sexual abuse or sexual assault to describe prohibited acts. Most sexual assault statutes cover more types of sexual acts than what is traditionally thought of as "rape" and apply to victims of either gender.

A.R.S. 13-1406: A person commits sexual assault by intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person without consent of such person.

A mistake about age is not typically a defense to statutory rape charges, even if the underage person lied and gave consent. It is a "strict liability" offense.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is when a person intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual contact with any person who is fifteen or more years of age without consent, or with any person under fifteen years of age if the sexual contact involves only the female breast.

"Sexual contact" means any direct or indirect touching, fondling or manipulating of any part of the genitals, anus or female breast by any part of the body or by any object.

When Is Sex Consensual?

Arizona law defines "without consent" to include:

  • The victim is coerced by the immediate use or threatened use of force
  • The victim is incapable of consent by reason of mental disorder, mental defect, drugs, alcohol, sleep, or any other similar impairment of cognition
  • The victim is intentionally deceived as to the nature of the act
  • The victim is intentionally deceived to erroneously believe that the person is the victim's spouse

ARS 13-3601 defines the relationship between the victim and the defendant as currently or previously a romantic or sexual relationship. The following factors may be considered:

  • The type of relationship
  • The length of the relationship
  • The frequency of the interaction between the victim and the defendant
  • If the relationship has terminated, the length of time since the termination

Can I Get Arrested For Dating Violence?

Dating violence refers back to the domestic violence laws in Arizona.

When a police officer believes an act of domestic violence has occurred, they are required by law to arrest the aggressor when an injury occurs, or when a weapon is used or threatened to be used. They may make an arrest even when the other party does not want to prosecute.

Stalking (ARS 13-2923) defines stalking as a person who intentionally or knowingly engages in a course of conduct directed toward another person and if that conduct either:

  • Would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person's safety or the safety of that person's immediate family member and that person in fact fears for their safety.
  • Would cause a reasonable person to fear death of that person or that person's immediate family member and that person in fact fears death.

Can I Get Arrested For Stalking?

  • Stalking is a crime in Arizona and subject to arrest under Arizona Revised Statutes
  • Stalking may also relate to Arizona Domestic Violence Laws
When a police officer believes an act of domestic violence has occurred, they are required by law to arrest the aggressor when an injury occurs, or when a weapon is used or threatened to be used.

Every victim of a crime is entitled to safety, healing, justice, and restitution. Arizona Christian University Department of Campus Safety Officers are not police officers. Our Department of Campus Safety works with local, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers and their victim's rights units to ensure all employees and students receive the appropriate and accessible services available to crime victims.

Many of the rights provided to victims through legislation and rules of court are automatic. If you are a victim, you also have the right upon request to additional support.

If There Is a Conflict of Interest

If there is any conflict of interest or disagreement between you and the prosecutor, you have the right to:

  • Be directed to the appropriate legal assistance
  • Be represented by your own attorney at your own expense

University Disciplinary Actions

The personal safety and welfare of the campus community and its visitors is paramount to Arizona Christian University. ACU does not tolerate crime, violence, threats of violence, or acts of aggression towards members of the campus community or its visitors.

ACU will investigate reported Clery Act crimes, other criminal acts, and student code of conduct violations. All student code of conduct violations and investigations will be coordinated through Student Life. Criminal investigations will be coordinated through ACU Department of Campus Safety, the Phoenix Police Department and Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

Possible sanctions include but are not limited to:

Verbal/Written Warnings Educational Consequences Behavioral Contracts Community Service Restitution Fines Disciplinary Probation Loss of Privileges Deferred Suspension Suspension Interim Suspension Expulsion

See the ACU Student Handbook for complete discipline procedures.

Report a Concern

Contact Campus Safety or use the STOPIT app to report anonymously. Your safety matters.

Call Campus Safety Title IX Information