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Rights and Responsibilities

Whether you are a reporting party or a responding party, you have rights.

During investigation/disciplinary procedures related to complaints of sexual violence or sexual harassment, both the reporting party and the responding party will have the following procedural rights:

  • The opportunity to have an advisor of the individual’s choosing present during any investigative and/or disciplinary meetings. The role of the advisor is solely to support the individual. The advisor is not permitted to ask or answer questions, serve as a witness or make a statement on behalf of the complainant or accused. The college is not responsible for providing the reporting party or the responding party with an advisor;
  • The right of the reporting party or the responding party to receive timely notice of meetings in which they are a participant;
  • Subject to applicable law, the right to receive timely and equal access to any information relied on as part of the investigation/disciplinary procedures; and
  • Equal opportunity to provide information through the investigation/disciplinary procedures;

Mandated Reporters/Responsible Employees

While the Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Title IX Coordinator are formally responsible for overseeing compliance with discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual violence policies, ensuring that the campus is free of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual violence is a shared responsibility of all members of the college community. A person does not have to be the direct target or victim of the discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment or sexual violence to report it. This policy covers conduct occurring on property owned or operated by the college, at college-sanctioned functions, and may also apply to off-campus conduct that adversely affects the campus environment. Thus, conduct that occurs off-campus may violate this policy and should be reported to the Title IX coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinator.

If student discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual violence or retaliation is observed by or reported to any employee then that employee has the duty to immediately report the matter to the Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX Coordinator or campus based Title IX Investigator. The fact that the alleged victim does not wish to file a complaint does not relieve the college employee of this responsibility.

Following the initial report, college officials may need additional information in order to fulfill the college's obligations under Title IX. In taking these actions, the College will always be guided by the goals of empowering the victim and allowing the victim to retain as much control of the process as possible. No employee or representative of the College can or should promise confidentiality. However, mental health counselors working for the College will maintain confidentiality excluding threat of harm to oneself or another.

Exceptions

Mental health counselors can keep conversations confidential.

Employees may contact the Employee Assistance Program at 800-356-0845 for confidential assistance.

Individuals who wish to maintain confidentiality may also speak with off-campus rape crisis or domestic violence counselors.

Bystander

Bystanders play a critical role in the prevention of sexual and relationship violence. They are "individuals who observe violence or witness the conditions that perpetuate violence. They are not directly involved but have the choice to intervene, speak up or do something about it." We want to promote a culture of community accountability where bystanders are actively engaged in the prevention of violence without causing further harm. We may not always know what to do even if we want to help. Below is a list of some ways to be an active bystander.

  1. Watch out for your friends and fellow students/employees. If you see someone who looks like they could be in trouble or need help, ask if they are okay.
  2. Intervene if you observe someone isolate, hit on, and try engage sexually with an individual who is incapacitated. Intervention can consist of something as simple as offering to reconnect the individual who is under the influence with her friends.
  3. Speak up when someone discusses plans to take sexual advantage of another person.
  4. Believe someone who discloses sexual assault, abusive behavior or experience with stalking.
  5. Refer people to on- or off-campus resources listed in this document for support in health, counseling or with legal assistance.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, dial 911.

Resources

Strategies for Effective Helping
There are a number of strategies you can use for effective helping in emergency and non-emergency situations (stepupprogram.org).

Help Someone You Care About
What to do if someone tells you they've been sexually assaulted (rainn.org).

Board Policy Statement

St. Louis Community College is committed to creating inclusive, welcoming, and respectful learning and working environments focused on the needs of our diverse communities. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, and any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. The College’s nondiscrimination policies apply to any phase of its employment process, any phase of its admission, or financial aid programs, and all of its educational programs or activities.

The College maintains a complaint procedure for the purpose of investigating and providing prompt and equitable remedy. Policy B.9

Contact Information

Shannon Nicholson, MS, LPC
Director for Community Standards/Title IX Coordinator
314-539-5345
snicholson29@stlcc.edu

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