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Policy on Sexual Misconduct Response and Prevention

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex and gender discrimination. Sexual harassment and sexual assault are forms of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. Title IX also prohibits retaliation against people for making or participating in complaints of sex discrimination.

In compliance with Title IX, NC is committed to providing a learning, living and working environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. NC expressly prohibits sex and/or gender-based misconduct which includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and gender-based harassment. Collectively these acts are referred to as Prohibited Conduct and are a violation of NC’s policy, and potentially applicable state and federal law.

NC is committed to fostering an environment where any alleged violation of this policy is promptly reported and complaints are resolved in a fair and timely manner. NC, as an educational community, will promptly and equitably respond to reports of Prohibited Conduct in order to eliminate the conduct, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects on any individual or the community.

This policy applies to:

  • Who: Students, employees, NC visitors, volunteers, and third parties connected with NC
  • What: Violations of the NC Preventing Sexual Misconduct Policy
  • Where: Violations that occur on or off campus

NC has jurisdiction over Prohibited Conduct occurring on campus or in the context of any College program or activity, regardless of where it occurs. NC also has jurisdiction over Prohibited Conduct occurring off campus, during quarter breaks, or between quarters if the Complainant(s) and/or Respondent(s) are NC students and the off-campus conduct is likely to have continuing adverse effects on campus life and activities, or if the conduct poses a threat or danger to any member of the NC community.

Click here to access NCs comprehensive policy regarding complaints or reports of sex and/or gender-based misconduct.

Reporting

In the event of an emergency call 911 for assistance. The security guard on campus can be reached at 708-237-5050 ext. 2628.

The College strives to make reporting concerns and incidents of any prohibited conduct a responsibility of the community so that affected individuals can be offered support and a range of resources. There are a number of different options to report for those who have experienced sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, or other conduct that violates the Title IX policy.

File a Report with the Title IX Coordinator at NC

The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for investigating and responding to allegations of sexual misconduct.  Anyone who has been a victim of sexual misconduct or anyone who has knowledge about a sexual assault or other sex or gender-based misconduct is encouraged to report it immediately to the Title IX Coordinator.  At NC, the Title IX Coordinator is:

Lidia Stanina, Human Resources Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 708-237-5050 ext. 2134

Reports may be made by submitting the Sexual Misconduct Reporting Form. The form is available online (click here for electronic form) through the NC public website, the NC Student Hub, and the NC Employee Hub. Reports submitted electronically will go directly to the Title IX Coordinator.

Report to Faculty or Staff
All faculty and staff are considered “responsible employees” and are required to report information to the Title IX Coordinator. Any information of sexual misconduct made to faculty or staff will be directed to the Title IX Coordinator who will investigate and respond accordingly.

Responding to Formal Complaints

When the Title IX Coordinator has received a formal complaint they must respond promptly in a manner that is not deliberately indifferent. Following will be an investigation and live hearing with both parties present for cross-examination.

  • Both the claimant and respondent will be treated equitably by: (1) Providing remedies to a complainant where a determination of responsibility for sexual harassment has been made against the respondent; and (2) Following a formal complaint process that complies with 106.45 before the imposition of any disciplinary sanctions or other actions that are not supportive measures against a respondent.
  • NC will provide supportive measures as such:
    • Counseling, extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments, modifications of work or class schedules, campus escort services, mutual restrictions on contact between the parties, changes in work or housing locations, leaves of absence, [and] increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus.
  • Both the claimant and respondent will be provided a written explanation of the allegations with sufficient details known at the time and will be permitted sufficient time to prepare a response before any initial interview.
  • The Investigator will collect and summarize all evidence prior to any hearing. Both parties will have at least 10 days before the completion of the investigation and hearings to review.
  • The hearing will then be held at one location with both parties, at one location with parties separated or virtually.
    • The hearing must be recorded or transcribed, with the recording or transcript available to both parties for inspection and review.
  • Cross examination of the witnesses must be allowed during the live hearing.
    • Cross examination must be done by an Advisor (who may be an attorney), but cannot be the parties themselves.
    • If either party does not have an advisor, Northwestern Collee will provide one free of charge.
  • After the hearing, the decision-maker(s) will issue a written determination regarding responsibility.

Appeals

Both parties have the chance to appeal from: (1) A determination regarding responsibility; (2) The College’s dismissal of a formal complaint or any allegations therein. Appeals may be granted on the following:

  • A procedural irregularity that affected the outcome;
  • New evidence that was not reasonably available at the time the determination or dismissal was made and could affect the outcome; and
  • The Title IX Coordinator, investigator, or adjudicator had a conflict of interest or bias that affected the outcome of the matter.

Both parties will be notified if an appeal is filed and given the opportunity to submit a written statement in support of, or challenging the outcome. The appeal officer will issue a written decision describing the result and will issue it to both parties simultaneously.

Talk With a Confidential Resource
Some individuals who have experienced harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct or other violations of this policy may not be ready or willing to report through a channel that could result in the College conducting an investigation. For such individuals, the following confidential resource is available:

Resilience

Confidential Advisor Notice

Phone: 773-907-1062

NC has contracted with Resilience to provide a Confidential Advisor who provides emergency and ongoing support to student survivors. A Resilience  Confidential Advisor is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

File a Criminal Complaint with the Police
NC community members impacted by sexual violence are not required to report an incident to law enforcement authorities; however, they are encouraged to do so and will be assisted by campus authorities in making a report. Calling 911 will connect you to the nearest local police department.

Initiating an Investigation

Every report submitted to the Title IX Coordinator or an NC faculty or staff member regarding Prohibited Conduct will be investigated. Investigations will normally be conducted by the Title IX Coordinator, or the Director of Human Resources when the complaint includes a faculty or staff member.

Procedures to Follow After a Sexual Misconduct Incident

Victims of any sexual misconduct that might constitute a crime, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and rape (including acquaintance rape) that impacts the NC community have the option and are encouraged to contact local law enforcement authorities.

Whenever possible, victims should report a violation of this policy as soon as possible and preserve evidence as may be necessary to prove that domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking occurred, or to obtain a protection order. Victims of sexual assault or rape are strongly encouraged to report the incident as described in this policy to deter future assaults and to ensure that victims receive the services they need. Steps should be taken to help deal with physical and emotional trauma associated with the violation.

Recommended steps include:

1. Go to a safe place; go somewhere to get emotional support.
2. Consider reporting the incident to the police. If requested, NC or Resilience will assist with notification.
3. Complete an NC Sexual Misconduct Reporting Form which is accessible online through the NC public website, the NC Student Hub, the NC Employee Hub, or on campus from the Student Services Department.
4. For your safety and well-being, immediate medical attention is encouraged. Being examined as soon as possible, ideally within 120 hours, is important especially in the case of rape and other forms of sexual assault. The hospital will arrange for a specific medical examination at no charge. To preserve evidence, it is recommended that, if at all possible, you do not bathe, shower, douche, eat, drink, smoke, brush your teeth, urinate, defecate or change clothes before that exam. Even if you have already taken any of these actions, you are still encouraged to have prompt medical care. Additionally, you are encouraged to gather bedding, linens or unlaundered clothing and any other pertinent articles that may be used for evidence. Secure them in a clean paper bag or clean sheet.
5. Preserve evidence of electronic communications, such as text messages, pictures, and/or social networking pages, by saving them and/or taking screenshots
6. If there is suspicion that a drink may have been drugged, inform a medical assistance provider and/or police as soon as possible so they can collect evidence (e.g. from the drink through urine or blood sample).
7. Even after the immediate crisis has passed, consider seeking professional counseling and the support of local and specialized support agencies such as sexual assault recovery centers and domestic violence safe houses. This can help to recover from psychological effects and provide a safe environment for recovery.
8. Contact the Title IX Coordinator, human resources, or campus director if you need assistance with NC related concerns, such as implementing no-contact orders or other protective measures. NC may also liaise with local authorities to assist an individual who wishes to obtain protective or restraining orders.
9. If you have physical injuries, photograph or have them photographed, with a date stamp on the photo.
10. Record the names of any witnesses and their contact information.  This information may be helpful as proof of a crime, to obtain an order of protection, or to offer proof of a campus policy violation.
11. Try to memorize details  (e.g., physical description,  names, license plate number, car description, etc.), or even better, write notes to remind you of details, if you have the time and ability to do so.
12. If you obtain external orders of protection (e.g., restraining orders, injunctions, protection from abuse), please notify the local police department if off-campus or if on-campus, notify the Title IX Coordinator, a campus director, or the Director of Human Resources so that those orders (called a no-contact order) can be observed on campus.

Victims are not required to report an incident to law enforcement authorities, but campus authorities will assist victims who wish to do so. Anyone with knowledge about a sexual assault or other sex or gender-based misconduct is encouraged to report it immediately to the Title IX Coordinator in order to permit a coordinated report to the applicable law enforcement authorities when appropriate. Nothing in this policy prohibits a student or colleague from reporting a crime directly to local authorities.

Any hospital will offer a forensic medical examination at no cost to the victim pursuant to the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act.

The nearest hospital to the Oak Lawn Campus is:
Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center
4440 W. 95th Street, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
708-684-8000

Counseling and Support Services

The following resources exist to provide information and links to local assistance:

Resilience in Chicago, IL
773-907-1062
www.ourresilience.org

The College has contracted with Resilience to provide victims with various services including 24-hour emergency support and a Confidential Advisor to provide emergency and ongoing support to survivors of sexual violence. All communications between a confidential advisor and a survivor pertaining to a sexual violence incident are confidential.

Chicago Metro Rape Crisis Hotline (YWCA)
1-888-293-2080

Chicago Domestic Violence Line
1-877-863-6338

Pillars (in Hickory Hills, IL)
708-745-5277 (Main Line)
708-485-5254 (24-hour, confidential domestic violence hotline)
708-482-9600 (24-hour confidential sexual assault hotline)

National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
rainn.org

SASHAA: Sexual Assault Help and Support for Americans Abroad
sashaa.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
(TTY) 1-800-787-3224 thehotline.org

National Network to End Domestic Violence
https://nnedv.org
https://womenslaw.org/ [Legal information and resources]

National Stalking Resource Center
victimsofcrime.org

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474
1-866-331-8453 (TTY)
loveisrespect.org

National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
suicidepreventionlifeline.org

The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault
NotAlone.Gov

Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center
866-USWOMEN (International Toll-Free)
[email protected]

U.S. Embassy
USEmbassy.gov