Title IX: Our Community’s Responsibility for a Safer SEU

What Is Title IX & How Does It Involve Me? Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 “No person in the United States shall on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

What Else Does It Mean Then? Title IX specifically states that if the institution knows or reasonably should know about a situation where a student was sexually harassed (and all the definitions to follow), the institution MUST act to eliminate the harassment, prevent its reoccurrence, and address its effects.

What Does It Mean for Me? Know Your Rights Be a Good Community Member

So, Who Are You? Who Are You Video Trigger Warning: The contents of this video might be quite intense for all viewers, particularly those who have been a survivor of sexual assault.

Be Alert for the Following Sexual harassment Sexual assault Stalking Dating or domestic violence Sex offenses Hate crimes based in gender, gender identity or sexual orientation Any of these fall under sexual discrimination according to Title IX and are under the university’s purview as long as they involve someone in the St. Edward’s community (student, faculty, staff, guests) on St. Edward’s property or at a St. Edward’s function (including off campus).

Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment is any unwelcome direct or indirect verbal or physical conduct that creates an offensive educational or living atmosphere that inhibits academic performance or a person’s ability to equally participate in the educational environment.

Sexual Assault Any unwanted sexual contact (touching, kissing, fondling or intercourse) committed without consent of the individual or against an individual who cannot reasonably consent.

Let’s Talk Consent Ongoing –Must seek consent for every step of sexual activity Active Agreement –Seek Nonverbal (active participation) –Verbal Consent (Will you? Why yes!) Respectful & Honest “Consent can be given by word or action, but nonverbal consent is less clear than talking about what you want and what you don’t. Consent to some form of sexual activity cannot be automatically taken as consent to any other sexual activity. Silence — without actions demonstrating permission — cannot be assumed to show consent. You will do well to keep in mind that under this policy, “No” always means “No,” and “Yes” may not always mean “Yes.””

Stalking Stalking means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to: –fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or –suffer substantial emotional distress.

Dating Violence Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim.

Domestic (Family) Violence Violence committed by current or former spouse or intimate partner; share a child in common; is or has cohabitated with.

Hate Crimes Based in Gender An underlying crime (assault, graffiti) that is motivated by bias/prejudice with regards to: –Gender –Sexual orientation –Gender identity

Hate Crimes St. Edward's University is a community of persons from diverse cultural backgrounds (ethnic, racial, creed, religious, gender, sexual orientation, age, disabled and socioeconomic). All parties in this community must strive to understand the individuality and uniqueness of those around us and to value those differences, as well as learn from one another in an atmosphere of positive encouragement and mutual respect. St. Edward's does not condone any form of conduct that goes beyond the legally defined boundaries of discrimination. We will not tolerate verbal or written abuse, threats, intimidation, violence or other forms of harassment against any member of the St. Edward's community. Code of Conduct

How Often Does This Happen? 1 in 4 women & 1 in 7 men are victims of severe physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner. 1 in 4 college women are victims of completed or attempted sexual assault.

34% of women of a traditional college age experience stalking. 30% of men of a traditional college age experience stalking. ( College Students & Stalking

What Can I Do? Be a good member of the SEU Community & Intervene BEFORE someone is hurt See Something Say Something Do Something

What Can I Do? Lend support to someone who is a survivor Listen without judgment Provide support and encouragement Know what kind of information they need (or where to find it)

Where Can I Find More Information?

Information Like…. Who can help? ConfidentialHealth & Counseling Take a report/intervene Dean Lisa Kirkpatrick, Title IX Coordinator University Police

Complaint against student Complaint against faculty/staff Any confusion about to whom to report Steven Pinkenburg, Associate Dean of Students, Title IX Investigator Mary Dellinger, Associate Director, Human Resources, Title IX Investigator Lisa Kirkpatrick, Assoc. VP for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, Title IX Coordinator Who Do You Report To On Campus?