GT Policy and GA Law

The following is taken from the Georgia Tech Student Policy on Sexual Harassment and Misconduct.

GT Policy

“Sexual misconduct is defined as sexual contact without consent by an acquaintance or a stranger and includes, but is not limited to:

• intentional touching without consent, either of the victim or when the victim is forced to touch, directly or through clothing, another person's genitals, breasts, groin, thighs, or buttocks;
• rape (sexual intercourse without consent whether by an acquaintance or a stranger);
• aggravated assault;
• aggravated sodomy (sexual penetration with an object without consent);
• sodomy (oral or anal intercourse without consent);
• non-consensual kissing;
• statutory rape;
• child molestation;
• aggravated child molestation;
• voyeurism, and public indecency.

“To constitute a lack of consent, the acts must be committed either by threat, force, surprise, intimidation, or as a result of the victim's mental or physical impairment of which the accused was aware or should have been aware. Mental or physical impairment refers to the victim's inability to understand the situation, understand the consequences of his/her choices, or to express his/her desires. This may include, but is not limited to, intoxication, being under the influence of drugs, unconsciousness, or other cognitive impairment, or being under the age of consent in the State of Georgia."

“It is a violation of this policy to engage in any form of sexual activity or conduct without the consent of the other person."

“Such consent may be withdrawn at any time, without regard to activity preceding the withdrawal of consent.”

Georgia Law

• For a basic summary of Georgia statutes concerning sexual violence, visit the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault (GNESA).

  Please note that states vary widely in their legal definitions. A confusing variety of terminology is used: "rape," "forcible rape," "statutory rape," "sexual assault," "sexual abuse," "sexual battery," etc. In Georgia, antiquated terms like “carnal knowledge” and “sodomy” may cause even greater confusion.

  Legal definitions are important to know for a number of reasons, but they may not always be the best guide to interpreting your own or others’ experiences.