Legal landscape note: This article was originally published in 2015 and describes the law as it stood at that time. New Jersey law changes frequently.
Overview
You reported a sexual assault by another student, and you still share a campus with the person who hurt you: the same dining halls, the same lecture buildings, maybe the same residence hall. A No-Contact Order (NCO) is the tool New Jersey colleges -- from Princeton University to Rutgers and Montclair State -- use to address exactly that problem. NCOs are institutional directives issued by colleges that prohibit intentional contact between the victim and the accused, giving survivors space to heal and continue their education without being forced into proximity with their assailant.
Under Title IX and related federal guidance, New Jersey colleges and universities have obligations to respond to sexual assault complaints and provide protective measures. No-contact orders are among the most common remedies available. However, their effectiveness depends entirely on how clearly they are drafted, how seriously violations are enforced, and whether the institution follows through with meaningful sanctions when boundaries are crossed.
What a No-Contact Order Should Include
A properly drafted NCO must go beyond a vague instruction to "stay away." Based on guidance developed by the Victim Rights Law Center and best practices adopted by institutions across New Jersey, an effective NCO should:
Be based on written policies. The institution must have clear procedures explaining who has authority to issue NCOs, how they are enforced, and what sanctions apply for violations. Warnings alone are not enough -- violations must carry real consequences.
Prohibit "intentional contact." The NCO must clearly describe in writing what behaviors are prohibited. This includes direct communication, contact through third parties, social media interactions, and showing up at the victim's residence, classes, or activities.
Define "incidental contact." The order must distinguish between deliberate contact and accidental encounters in shared spaces. A well-drafted NCO provides guidance on what the victim and accused should do if they cross paths legitimately on campus.
Address academic and social adjustments. The institution may need to modify schedules, housing assignments, or dining arrangements to minimize the risk of contact while respecting the victim's educational priorities.
Enforcement and Violations
An NCO is only as effective as the institution's willingness to enforce it. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-18, protective orders related to sexual offenses carry enforcement mechanisms, and campus-based NCOs should be treated with similar gravity. When a respondent violates an NCO, the institution must act promptly -- whether through disciplinary proceedings, suspension, or other corrective measures.
Victims who feel their college is not enforcing an NCO adequately may also pursue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) through the New Jersey Superior Court under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 et seq., depending on the relationship between the parties.
Campus Obligations Under Federal and State Law
New Jersey colleges receiving federal funding must comply with Title IX obligations to address sexual harassment and assault. This includes offering supportive measures like no-contact orders, academic accommodations, and counseling referrals. The U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women has published resources -- including guides on drafting and enforcing NCOs -- specifically to assist institutions in meeting these obligations.
Institutions that fail to respond adequately to sexual assault complaints or enforce protective measures may face federal complaints, loss of funding, or litigation.
Key Takeaways
- No-contact orders are institutional directives that prohibit intentional contact between a campus sexual assault victim and the accused
- Effective NCOs must clearly define prohibited conduct, distinguish incidental from intentional contact, and specify enforcement consequences
- Colleges in New Jersey have federal and state obligations to respond to sexual assault and provide protective measures
- Victims may also pursue court-issued restraining orders under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 if campus remedies are insufficient
- Violations of NCOs must carry real sanctions -- warnings alone do not provide meaningful protection
An Illustrative Decision Point
Consider a hypothetical no-contact order covering two students assigned to the same laboratory course. An accidental encounter in a common hallway and a direct message sent after the order are not the same event. The exact language of the directive, notice to each student, intent, institutional policy, and record of the contact shape what the school must evaluate.
Preserve the complete order, delivery notice, campus policy, class and housing schedules, full message threads, incident reports, and requests for supportive measures. Counsel can then distinguish a campus directive from any court order, identify the applicable reporting process, and decide what immediate academic, safety, or response request is supported. This hypothetical does not assume a violation or promise a particular sanction.
Reviewed by Britt J. Simon, Esq., Managing Partner -- Simon Law Group, LLC -- May 2026
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