Campus Alert: Lewd & Lascivious Conduct - March 12, 2021

At approximately 10:30PM on March 11, 2021, the Burlington Police Department received a report of lewd and lascivious conduct on South Williams Street near UVM Campus. An unknown male in a black hooded sweatshirt was reported to have exposed his genitals immediately outside of a victim’s window. The suspect fled the scene before police arrived and was not located. At this time, the suspect is unknown and remains at large. If you have information about this incident, please contact the Burlington Police Department at 802-658-2704. To report a similar incident, contact UVM Police Services at 802-656-3473.

Sex crimes, including Lewd and Lascivious Conduct, are never a victim’s fault. If you need support or assistance in the aftermath of this or a similar incident, you can make an appointment with a counselor at UVM Counseling and Psychiatry Services by calling 802-656-3340. Additionally, the UVM Campus Victim’s Advocate offers free and confidential support services, and can help you navigate the options available to you; email advocate@uvm.edu or call the UVM WAGE Center at 802-656-7892 to set up an appointment. The Campus Victim’s Advocate offers services to people of all genders. Employees may also get support from the confidential Employee Assistance Program, Invest EAP.

Preventing Sexual Misconduct:

• Never pressure or coerce someone into sexual activity.
• Intervene as a bystander if you witness someone in a dangerous situation or being targeted for a crime or assault. More information and training opportunities on bystander intervention are listed below.
• When engaging in sexual activity, be sure that you and your partner(s) are coherent and not incapacitated for any reason.
• Be certain that everyone involved consents to each sexual activity that you engage in through clear communication. If you are not sure someone is interested in an activity for any reason, immediately stop, talk to your partner, and respect their boundaries and decisions if they are not comfortable or want to stop.
• Call 9-1-1 if you witness a concerning incident or a crime unfolding.

Potential Penalties and Consequences:

• Lewd & Lascivious Conduct a felony. A person guilty of open and gross lewdness and lascivious behavior shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $300.00, or both. (13 V.S.A. §2601).
• Lewd & Lascivious Conduct is a violation of UVM Policy. Potential penalties for a UVM affiliated person found to have committed lewd & lascivious conduct by a University investigation include dismissal or termination from the University of Vermont.

To Learn More:

• Visit the UVM Title IX and Sexual Misconduct website:(https://www.uvm.edu/aaeo/title-9-sexual-misconduct) for more information about UVM’s policies pertaining to sexual misconduct, as well as a number of resources and educational materials.
• Bystander intervention is when an uninvolved person witnesses someone else at risk of or experiencing harm and takes safe, positive steps to prevent it. When members of a community know how to recognize potential harm and intervene, bystander intervention can promote a safer and healthier campus community. For more information and training about bystander intervention contact Living Well at UVM (https://www.uvm.edu/health/livingwell).

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, there is support available. Even if the assault did not happen recently, there are resources to help you decide what is best for you, including free medical treatment, advocacy, and support.  You do not have to go through this alone.  There is a whole community ready to support you.  For more information, call the state-wide confidential hotline, 800-489-7273, or see the website for the VT Network against Sexual and Domestic Violence, www.vtnetwork.org.