Ranger College Employee Training Module Presented by the Crime Victim Assistance Center Gena Camacho- Understanding Sexual Violence

Training Objectives  Understand Title IX requirements in regards to response, reporting, investigation, confidentiality, and resolution of sexual violence  Ways to identify and prevent sexual violence  Victimology & offender profiles  Identify impact of drugs & alcohol on sexual violence  Discuss effects of sexual violence on victims –including cultural awareness, rape trauma syndrome, and other special populations  Identify appropriate and helpful responses to sexual assault victims

Training Objectives & Title IX

Title IX States: “No person in the US 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”

Sexual Harassment As defined & prohibited by Title IX

Sexual Harassment  Unwelcome conduct of sexual nature  Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, & other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature  Can deny or limit on the basis of sex the student’s ability in or to receive benefits, services, or opportunities in the school’s program.  Can be perpetrated by school employee, another student, or non-employee third party (visiting speaker, visiting athletes)  Protects both sexes and can be perpetrated by same sexes

Hostile Environment Factors:  Degree in which it affected student(s) education  Type, frequency and duration of the conduct  Identity and relationship of harasser and victim(s)  Number of victims involved  Age and sex of harassers & victims  Size of school, location of incidents, and context  Other incidents at the school- gender based or sexual harassment

Introduction to Sexual Assault As a form of Sexual Harassment

Sexual Assault- Section (b) Use of physical force or violence Threat of violence or physical force Victim hasn’t consented and offender knows they are physically unable to resist or are unconscious Offender knows victim has not consented and is unaware the assault is occurring Victim has been intentionally impaired without their knowledge and are unable to appraise or control the offender’s conduct

Consent happens when a person is: Old enough to engage in sexual activity Mentally capable of understanding sexual activity Fully conscious and aware Not intoxicated or drugged without their consent Not feeling threatened or coerced

Sexual assault is such an extreme form of harassment that a SINGLE INSTANCE constitutes a hostile education environment for the survivor.

Response to Victim Outcry

List of “Normal” Victim Responses:

Appropriate Responses Listen completely and without agenda “Check in” with what they are telling you Clarify victim’s feelings at this moment- Stay in here & now Remember you are not here to solve/diagnosis/or analyze the problem, guilt, or innocence Explore various options at this point- respect their comfort level Stay victim-oriented in your language and tone Remember EVERYTHING is being heard through a filter Be aware of restrictive responses

Restrictive Responses Start With… You should/shouldn’t… You need to… I would/wouldn’t… You don’t want to… It would good/bad if you… If this had happened to me… Are you sure… I promise… It’s going to be okay/alright/get better

Better Options for Response What I’m hearing is…. I understand… What would happen if… (when exploring options) Would you be comfortable with/is it okay if… What happened is not your fault… What do you want… What do you need… Some options from here…

Whatever you say, be honest about it.

Title IX Legal Requirements I’ve been told, so now what?

Required Reporting Are you a “responsible employee”? Is it an actual “notice”? What information should you be reporting? Who are you reporting this information to? What about confidentiality?

Who is Responsible? Depend on variety of factors including age and level of students, and role of employee Resident Advisors could be considered “responsible employees” if they are given power to report other types of misconduct that violate school policy Needs to be determined by administration and made known to employees, students, and parents for future reporting

What is an actual notice? Direct- Notice is given when a report is made to a responsible employee or the Title IX coordinator of a sexual violent act (doesn’t have to be victim) or an act of sexual violence is seen by a school employee Indirect- Information from local community member, social media, media etc; if the reasonable care of investigation could lead to the discovery of additional incidents

The moment a school has notice of a sexually violent incident it must take steps to investigate and/or provide protection options to the complainant.

Information to Gather? All relevant details: Name of alleged perpetrator if known Name of student who experienced alleged sexual violence Other students (if any) who were involved Date, time, & location Any additional that will help determine what occurred and to resolve the situation This information is to be reported to your Title IX Coordinator.

Confidentiality Concerns: You are obligated to report the names and relevant details of attack Student’s option to request school maintain confidentiality (to be considered by school & Title IX coordinator) Student’s ability to share with agencies Protecting confidentiality may limit school’s ability to respond fully to accusations and take action against alleged perpetrator.- INDIVIDUAL LEVEL

Overriding Confidentiality Requests Can it honor this request while still providing a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students? Can it increase protection and prevent recurrences in other ways? Overriding confidentiality requests are official decisions made by the administration and Title IX Coordinator. They do not mean information is free to share to other employees, students, community, etc.

Title IX Process Notice- Complainant is given protection Report to Title IX Investigation (Preponderance Standard) Hearing date Both parties appear Outcome sent to both parties Both parties must be treated the same even in an appeal process

Crime Victim Assistance Center Advocacy Services Transportation & Accompaniment- medical, legal, Crisis Intervention Counseling Legal Clothing & Financial Assistance /