UM releases sexual assault report

In a five-page investigation report released Wednesday night, the University of Montana identified nine incidents of nonconsensual sex or sexual assault involving students in the last year and a half.

Diane Barz, a former state Supreme Court justice was hired by UM in mid-December to investigate reports of sexual assaults that took place on and off campus. Though her formal investigation has concluded, President Royce Engstrom said Barz will stay involved in the issue "at some level" and will continue to communicate with her team of investigators and Engstrom on an "as-needed basis," he said.

In the meantime, Engstrom said his staff is in the process changing some policies regarding how sexual assaults are handled. As Barz recommended, Engstrom said that after any changes are allowed to take affect at UM, there will be another audit of the policies to test their effectiveness. Despite recommending adjustments to reporting processes, Barz said the University response to the December incidents "has been prompt and appropriate."

Barz noted, however, that she was disappointed with the lack of response from students who were at parties where alleged attacks happened and the dishonesty of those who did come forward. She added that "‘lying is also covered under the Student Conduct Code."

Engstrom said he couldn't discuss specific cases or whether UM will sanction students who lied to Barz, but said it "is an action that is subject to the student conduct code."

The sexual assaults identified by Barz took place between September 2010 and December 2011. Two of the investigated incidents resulted in one perpetrator being banned from the University of Montana and its affiliated campuses, and the other was expelled from school, the report said.

In two other cases, the incidents were initially reported, though both of the victims chose not to pursue formal charges. University investigations are proceeding in those cases with "limited information," the report said.

Of the incidents listed, three were reported to both the police and the Dean of Students, three incidents were reported to just the dean, two were reported only to Missoula police, and one case was reported only to a UM employee.

Four of the incidents in the report involved drugs. Engstrom said he didn't know the details of which drugs were involved but said they had been discussed in individual conversations among investigators.

Barz made several recommendations to the University on how to improve its response to sexual assaults, including adding more "readily available" information to resources for victims on the school's website, increasing personnel training on how to handle and report sexual assault allegations, ensuring SARC has enough money to appropriately respond to victims and offer support, and forming student-run outreach programs to encourage healthy lifestyles and offer support in academic and social activities.

Barz also recommended all student athletes and UM freshman take a "101 type class" to learn about social norms "expected to be observed, appropriate sexual relationships and practices, the consequences of risky behavior from alcohol to casual sex," and information on resources for mental health, chemical dependence and sexual harassment issues.Engstrom said teaching students about "appropriate sexual relationships" was a "broad topic, and one that would have to be explored" before it was discussed in a class.

Initially, UM declined to release the report for several days so Engstrom would have time to review it. Following the recommendation of UM legal counsel and after the Kaimin requested the report — citing Montana state records law — Engstrom decided to release it a day after he received it.

The president said he and the university are dedicated to keeping the community updated on the investigation and asked that if anyone has any information concerning the sexual assaults being investigated, they contact Lucy France, the University's Title IX representative at 243-5710 or lucy.france@umontana.edu.

paige.huntoon@umontana.edu