Rights

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

Rights of Involved Parties in Cases Involving Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence

The following rights, procedures, and guidelines apply in cases involving allegations of sexual harassment and sexual violence.

• 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 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.
• Equal opportunity to provide information through the investigation/disciplinary procedures
• The reporting party and responding party will not be permitted to directly question each other.
• Each party will be granted the same meaningful access to information that will be used during disciplinary meetings including the investigation report.
• Each party will be granted the opportunity to respond to the investigation report in writing in advance of the decision of responsibility.
• If the investigation/disciplinary procedures result from a report of sexual harassment, both the reporting party and the responding party will be notified in writing of the finding of responsible/not responsible and the disciplinary sanction(s) imposed. The reporting party will only be notified of those that directly relate to the reporting party, like an order that the responding party stay away from the reporting party, and the right to appeal.
• If the investigation/disciplinary procedures result from a report of sexual violence, both the reporting party and the responding party will be simultaneously notified in writing of the finding of responsible/not responsible and the disciplinary sanction(s) imposed, the right to appeal, any changes to the result of investigation/disciplinary procedures, and when such results become final.

Responsibilities

Other Responsible Parties

Ensuring that SCC is free of sexual misconduct 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 sexual misconduct 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. As such, conduct that occurs off-campus may violate this policy and should be reported.

If employee sexual misconduct is observed by, or reported to a College official (administrators, managers, and supervisors), then that official has the duty to immediately report the matter. If student sexual misconduct is observed by, or reported to any employee who could be reasonably perceived to have authority or duty to report or address these issues (administrator, manager, supervisor, faculty member, dean, coach, Athletic Director, academic counselor/advisor, club advisor, law enforcement or public safety officer, or Student Life Director), then that official has the duty to immediately report the matter. The fact that the alleged victim does not wish to file a complaint does not relieve the official of this responsibility.

If sexual misconduct of any kind is observed by or reported to an employee not listed above, that employee should report the matter. No employee or representative of the College, except for the Mental Health Counselor, can or should promise confidentiality.

While all reports of sexual misconduct, other than those made to the mental health counselor, must be shared with the Title IX Coordinator, such reports should be treated as confidential and shared only with persons who have a business need to know due to their involvement in the investigation/disciplinary procedures related to the individual and their involvement in delivering resources or support services to involved parties. 

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. Confront people who seclude, hit on, and try to make out with or have sex with people who are incapacitated.
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. This could be when a person is yelling at or being physically abusive towards another and it is not safe for you to interrupt.

Resources

Attend a Step UP! bystander intervention program to learn how to be proactive in helping others. Step UP! training will prepare you to identify a situation as a problem and to intervene safely, thereby reducing the outcomes of problematic behaviors. SCC offers several sessions throughout the year.

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

The College prohibits any actions of sexual harassment by students, employees, or visitors. The College adheres to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Jeanne Clery Act, and similar laws and regulations and takes appropriate action to address concerns of sexual harassment in a fair and timely manner.

Article I.07 Sexual Harassment (Policy)
Article I.07 Sexual Harassment (Procedures)