In the 2005-06 academic year, there were 76 reports of fighting, assaults and threats reported to judicial affairs.

Since March 31, there have been approximately four reports of battery to the University Police Department, three of those being domestic.

Domestic battery is defined as causing bodily harm to any family or household or making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature, according to Article 12 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961.

Ryan Risinger, crime prevention officer at UPD, said the first step police officers take when responding to a call about a possible domestic battery is to separate the people involved and interview the suspects.

Officers will look for signs of violence-bleeding, bruising or red marks on the victim.

“The state requires that, if there are any signs of domestic violence, an arrest will be made,” Risinger said.

The suspect will then remain in custody until they have seen a judge, and a bond amount has been set. The suspect will not be able to make any contact with the victim for 72 hours.

A detailed report of the incident is then submitted to the state’s attorney, Risinger said.

If the police respond to the call and there are no signs of violence, the parties involved will be separated for the night.

All reports involving students are referred to the Office of Student Standards.

Risinger said the first offense is a misdemeanor and, depending on the situation, a jail sentencing could be ruled.

The difference between an assault and a battery is physicality. Assault refers to one person threatening another with an object, their fists, or violent words. It becomes a battery when there is physical contact.

There were 13 cases of aggravated assault on campus between 2006 and 2008, according to the 2008 Annual Security Report, with one in a resident hall in 2008 and one on public property adjacent to campus in both 2007 and 2008.

Sarah Jean Bresnahan can be reached at 581-7942 or dennewsdesk@gmail.com

Sidebar:

Student Conduct Code violations regarding fighting/assaults/threats between the 1996-1997 and 2005-2006 academic years

96-97-43

97-98-49

98-99-40

99-00-21

00-01-47

00-01-41

02-03-43

03-04-68

04-05-66

05-06-76

Total: 494