Students Isaiah Martin and Jack Jordan of the University of Houston, in partnership with the Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners, spearheaded an effort to introduce more thorough care services to students at several Texas universities. The team provides university health systems with additional tools and assault-based aid to students who report sexual mistreatment.

"Rape kits" used to collect forensic evidence after an assault are meant to help victims recover from an incident. These kits, paired with on-site medical services, can also help authorities understand these murky situations.

Currently, the partnership – known as the Student Sexual Assault Full Support & Prevent Partnership – serves students attending universities including:

• Texas Southern University
• University of Houston
• Rice University
• Prairie View A&M University
• Houston Community College
• South Texas College of Law
• Lee College in Bayton

Representatives with the Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners received $166,000 from the DA's office to fund the training and materials needed to provide these services to students throughout the state.

Homing in on Sexual Assault Charges

Sexual misconduct is a nebulous topic at the university level. Each university in Texas, including the ones listed above, has its own code of conduct. These codes rely on different definitions of sexual misconduct to address student reports of an assault. Behaviors that constitute assault at one university may not receive the same consideration at another.

This is where increased sexual assault services come into play. The services championed by Martin and Jordan introduce additional training and scientific recovery kits, "rape kits," onto Texas campuses. Victims of sexual assault have the opportunity to participate in post-assault interviews, during which they can detail information regarding an attacker and their losses.

Similarly, "rape kits" allow trained professionals to gather DNA and physical data of an assault. A victim can then refer to the physical evidence of their encounter if they want to file criminal charges.

What Do Increased Sexual Assault Services Mean for Accused Students?

The increased availability of assault treatment services and kits makes it easier for students to gather evidence for their assault cases. These kits also make it easier for students to challenge charges of assault. Because "rape kits" provide DNA evidence of misconduct, both victims and the accused can rely on science to minimize false accusations.

Post-assault interviews remain a service solely available to the victims of assault cases. The content of these interviews is confidential. Students cannot be accused of faking their sexual assault charges if they refuse to seek out an interview, either, as fear and shame have kept 58 percent of women and 88 percent of men from reporting incidents of sexual assault.

Addressing Sexual Assault Charges with Legal Professionals

Sexual assault policies and Title IX law grow more complicated every year. Poorly-defended university sexual misconduct charges can cause a student to lose out on the education and career of their dreams.

Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm strive to ensure that no student has to face sexual assault charges alone. Students or their parents can reach out to national Title IX defense attorney Joseph D. Lento and his team at 888-535-3686 or through their online form.