Campus Security

Crimes Against Persons

Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault/Date Rape, Hate Crimes

Domestic Violence
Sexual Assault/Date Rape
Hate Crimes

Domestic Violence
The Illinois Domestic Violence Act (Illinois Compiled Statutes Ch. 750 ILCS 60/101 and Ch. 725 ILCS 5/112A-3) defines domestic violence crimes, establishes remedies for them and explains who is covered. Protected “family or household members” are defined as follows: “spouses, former spouses, parents, children, stepchildren, and other persons related by blood or by present or prior marriage, persons who share or formerly shared a common dwelling, persons who have … a child in common, persons who share … a blood relationship through a child, persons who have or have had a dating or engagement relationship …." Domestic Violence/Abuse is defined as “physical abuse, harassment, intimidation of a dependent, interference with personal liberty or willful deprivation.”

Campus Security encourages victims of domestic violence that occur off campus to report any abuse to their local police department. Incidents of domestic violence occurring on campus should be reported to Campus Security at (630) 617-3000 or 9-911 in cases of emergency.  Remedies available include criminal charges against the offender and Orders of Protection that prohibit offenders from further abuse, interference or stalking. Campus Security encourages students and staff who have obtained orders of protection to notify us so that we can work to protect them from any further violence while they are on campus.

Listed below are area domestic violence programs and crisis numbers:

Area Domestic Violence Programs and Crisis Numbers

• Groundwork in Joliet, (815) 729-1228
• Kankakee Co. Coalition Against Domestic Violence in Kankakee, (815) 932-5800
• Family Shelter Service in Glen Ellyn, (630) 469-5650
• South Suburban Family Shelter in Homewood, (708) 335-3028
• Crisis Center for South Suburbia in Tinley Park, (708) 429-7284
• Domestic Violence Resources Family Shelter Service (24 hours a day), (630) 469-5650
• Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, (217) 789-2830

Chicago Area

• Korean American Women in Need, (773) 583-0880
• Polish Welfare Association, (773) 282-8206
• Porchlight Counseling Services, Evanston, IL (Resources for College Sexual Assault Survivors), (773) 750-7077

Crisis Numbers

• Campus Security, (630) 617-3000
• Wellness Center, (630) 617-3565
• Elmhurst Fire, Police, Medical EMERGENCY, 9-911 (on campus) or 911
• Elmhurst Police Department (non-emergency), (630) 530-3050
• Elmhurst Fire Department (non-emergency), (630) 530-3090
• DuPage County Sheriff’s Office (non-emergency), (630) 682-7256
• Elmhurst Memorial Hospital (non-emergency), (630) 833-1400
• DuPage County Mental Health Crisis Center, (630) 627-1700
• YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, (630) 790-6600
• DuPage Women Against Rape 24-Hour Hotline, (630) 971-3927
• DCFS, (800) 252-2873

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Sexual Assault/Date Rape
Sexual assault is perhaps one of the most under-reported crimes. Though statistics vary, estimates are that between one-in-four and one-in-six women will be the victim of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault. The reasons for non-reporting vary from fear and embarrassment to self blame for being in a susceptible setting, especially in a situation of date or acquaintance rape. In the situation of a “stranger” assault, victims may find it easier to “strike back” by reporting the assault and prosecuting it. In a case of acquaintance rape, the emotional trauma of an assault is multiplied by the knowledge that the offender is someone who was trusted, related and perhaps even loved.

Date rape and the use of “date rape drugs” are especially common among teens and young adults, who make up the bulk of college students. Though females account for the majority of sexual assault victims, males account for approximately 10 percent of victims. It is important that you be aware of and avoid risks that could lead to sexual assaults.

A few safety tips to keep in mind:

• Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to who may be walking near you or following you. If something or someone makes you feel uncomfortable, go with your gut. Drive or move to a well-lighted public location or a police station or call someone for help.
• Avoid being alone in unfamiliar places, especially at night.
• Enroll in a personal safety course such as RAD (Rape Aggression Defense), available through Campus Security.
• In acquaintance or dating situations, remain in public or group settings until the person has earned your trust.
• Set clear boundaries regarding what is and is not acceptable behavior–do not allow yourself to be pressured into going beyond those boundaries. If you feel pressured or strong armed, clearly and loudly state that it is unacceptable and leave the area.
• Do not allow yourself to become intoxicated, especially if you are not well acquainted with those with whom you are drinking.
• Never leave a drink or food unattended in a bar or at a party. If you do leave it unattended or out of your sight, pour it out and get a fresh one. Date rape drugs can quickly be put into a drink without detection.
• If you are a victim of a sexual assault, Campus Security encourages you to:

Crisis Numbers

• Campus Security, (630) 617-3000
• Wellness Center, (630) 617-3565
• Elmhurst Fire, Police, Medical EMERGENCY, 9-911 (on campus) or 911
• Elmhurst Police Department (non-emergency), (630) 530-3050
• Elmhurst Fire Department (non-emergency), (630) 530-3090
• DuPage County Sheriff’s Office (non-emergency), (630) 682-7256
• Elmhurst Memorial Hospital (non-emergency), (630) 833-1400
• Department of Human Service 24 Crisis Center, (630) 627-1700
• YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, (630) 790-6600
• Du Page Women Against Rape 24-Hour Hotline, (630) 971-3927

DuPage County State’s Attorney
Victim/Witness Coordinator
505 North County Farm Road
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
(630) 407-8008

Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Springfield, Illinois
(217) 753-4117

Porchlight Counseling Services
Resources for College Sexual Assault Survivors
Evanston, Illinois
(773) 750-7077

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Hate Crimes
Elmhurst College takes hate crimes very seriously. All members of the Elmhurst community are entitled to a learning or working environment free of discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or national origin. 

The penalties for hate crimes are very serious and are more severe when the crime is committed on school property or on any “public way within 1,000 feet” of the property of a school. The penalty for a first offense is a Class 3 Felony, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. A second offense is a Class 2 Felony with a penalty of up to seven years in prison.

The Illinois Compiled Statutes Ch.720 ILCS 5/12-7.1 states that a person commits a hate crime when because of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin of another person or group of persons (even if there are other motivating factors), he commits any of the following crimes:

Assault, battery, aggravated assault, misdemeanor theft, criminal trespass to residence, misdemeanor criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to vehicle, criminal trespass to real property, mob action, disorderly conduct, harassment by telephone or harassment through electronic communications.