If the consent or acquaintance of the other is procured by threats of violence toward any person or if the act is done while the other is under the influence of a drug-induced sleep, or is otherwise in a state of unconsciousness, or the act is done against the will of the other. When the victim is incapable of giving consent because he or she suffers from a mental defect or incapacity or lacks the mental capacity to know the right and wrong of conduct in sexual matters. The other person is a child. The State of Iowa and Loras College use this sexual abuse definition. Sexual abuse is considered a felony as defined in Section 709 of the Iowa State Code.
Sexual assault is considered first-degree sexual abuse under Iowa law.
We define sexual assault as forced penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth with a finger, penis or any other object. You should be aware that although we use the term rape in this paper and in other educational material, the Iowa legal system uses the umbrella term of sexual abuse and sexual assault, and not the specific term rape, when cases are taken to court. They range from verbal assaults all the way to rape. Loras has taken a very strong stance against acts of violence by a member of our community. Students found guilty of sexual assault can expect strong disciplinary actions by the College.