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Sexual Violence and Title IX

Title IX Sex Discrimination in Educational Institutions

Section titled “Title IX Sex Discrimination in Educational Institutions”

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in an educational institution. It applies in all aspects of education including academic programs, financial assistance, athletics and more.

The sex discrimination prohibition includes sexual harassment and sexual violence. It states in part: 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. 20 U.S.C. § 1681.

It is Ridgewater College policy not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its admissions, educational programs, activities, or employment policies as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. Student and employee inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX may be directed to Jay Morrison at 320-222-8040. You may also contact the Director of the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

This page provides information and resources regarding the important issues of sexual violence and sexual harassment. It also contains contact information for persons who can assist you should experience or observe sexual violence or sexual harassment on a Ridgewater College campus.

Reporting Sexual Violence/Harassment

If you have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment on a Ridgewater campus or involving Ridgewater College, call 911 for emergencies or to start a possible criminal investigation through local law enforcement.

To start an investigation through the College, please contact any of the contacts listed on this page to file a formal complaint. You may submit a report through the online reporting form.

Individuals may report incidents of sexual violence anonymously or with their name. Anonymous reports may not initiate a college investigation.

Ridgewater Contacts

Section titled “Ridgewater Contacts”

Title IX Coordinator (student contact) Jay Morrison Jay.morrison@ridgewater.edu 320-222-8040

Title IX Deputy Coordinator (employee contact) Tara Strey tara.strey@ridgewater.edu 320-222-5211

Confidential Resources

Section titled “Confidential Resources”

Ridgewater College has Counselors available if you would like to speak to a confidential resource regarding sexual violence. The Counselors are trained advocates that are not legally mandated to report sexual violence, harassment, or misconduct. They can provide resources, support, and reporting options to students that are victims are sexual assault.

LeAnn Pueringer College Counselor Office #A116 – Willmar Campus Office #125 – Hutchinson Campus leann.pueringer@ridgewater.edu 320-222-5987

Davontay Stevens Counselor – Student Success Office # 125 – Hutchinson Campus sarah.fosso@ridgewater.edu 320-234-8551

If You Have Been a Victim of Any Form of Sexual Violence

  • Know that this incident is not your fault.
  • Find a safe environment and a trusted friend to stay with you.
  • If you have been drinking and you’re underage, or you were under the influence of other illegal drugs, reporting assault does not mean that you will get in trouble with Ridgewater College for violating the Code of Conduct. It is important to us to get you the help that you want and need without fear of getting in trouble.
  • Consider reporting the crime. Any individual who believes they have been or is being subjected to conduct prohibited by this policy is encouraged to report the incident to the designated officer. The report/complaint should be brought as soon as possible after an incident occurs. Any student or faculty member or employee who knows of, receives information about or receives a complaint of discrimination/harassment is strongly encouraged to report the information or complaint to the designated officer of the college.
  • Consider taking steps to preserve physical evidence. If possible, go directly to an Emergency Room at a local hospital.

What happens after a formal complaint is made?

Section titled “What happens after a formal complaint is made?”

If you file a formal complaint, the accused student(s) will know the identity of the person filing the report. Sexual misconduct is a serious offense and the respondent has the right to know the identity of the complainant/victim and respond to the allegations.

After a formal complaint is filed, the Investigator will follow Minnesota State 1B.3 Policy and Minnesota State 1B.3.1. Procedures. A formal hearing would be held before any disciplinary action would be decided.

Policies and Definitions

Sexual Violence

Section titled “Sexual Violence”

According to The Center for Changing Our Campus Culture, one in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted in college.

Things we wish everybody knew*:

Section titled “Things we wish everybody knew*:”
  • Sexual assault happens
  • Offenders are often “regular people”
  • Most rape or sexual assault victims (78%) knew the offender
  • False reports are not common (between 2 and 7 percent)
  • Alcohol will more likely than not be involved
  • Victims may not call it rape
  • Trauma responses vary
  • There is no typical victim

*Adapted from Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MnCASA), Sexual Violence Justice Institute, Understanding the Dynamics of Sexual Assault on Campus, and The Center for Changing Our Campus Culture.

Ridgewater College Sexual Violence Policy

Section titled “Ridgewater College Sexual Violence Policy”

Ridgewater is committed to maintaining a campus community free from sexual violence. The College acknowledges and adheres to the definitions and processes described in Minnesota State Policy 1B.3 Sexual Violence Policy. The related Minnesota State Procedure 1B.3.1 Response to Sexual Violence applies to all Ridgewater students and employees and to others, as appropriate, where alleged incidents of sexual violence have occurred on Ridgewater College property.

Allegations of discrimination or harassment are governed by Minnesota State Policy 1B.1.

View Ridgewater College Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures [PDF]

What is sexual violence?

Section titled “What is sexual violence?”

Sexual violence is, as defined by Ridgewater College and Minnesota State, “a continuum of conduct that includes sexual assault, non-forcible sex acts, dating and relationship violence, stalking, as well as aiding acts of sexual violence.”

What is sexual assault?

Section titled “What is sexual assault?”

An actual, attempted, or threatened sexual act with another person without that person’s affirmative consent. Sexual assault is often a criminal act that can be prosecuted under Minnesota law, as well as form the basis for discipline under Minnesota State student codes of conduct and employee disciplinary standards. Sexual assault includes but is not limited to:

  1. Involvement without consent in any sexual act in which there is force, expressed or implied, or use of duress or deception upon the victim. Forced sexual intercourse is included in this definition, as are the acts commonly referred to as date rape or acquaintance rape. This definition also includes the coercing, forcing, or attempting to coerce or force sexual intercourse or a sexual act on another.
  2. Involvement in any sexual act when the victim is unable to give consent.
  3. Intentional and unwelcome touching of a person’s intimate parts (defined as primary genital area, groin, inner thigh, buttocks, or breast); or coercing, forcing, or attempting to coerce or force another to touch a person’s intimate parts.
  4. Offensive sexual behavior directed at another, such as indecent exposure or voyeurism.
Section titled “What is consent? (see short consent video)”

Consent is informed, freely given, and mutually understood willingness to participate in sexual activity that is expressed by clear, unambiguous, and affirmative words or actions. It is the responsibility of the person who wants to engage in sexual activity to ensure that the other person has consented to engage in the sexual activity. Consent must be present throughout the entire sexual activity and can be revoked at any time. If coercion, intimidation, threats, and/or physical force are used, there is no consent. If the complainant is mentally or physically incapacitated or impaired so that the complainant cannot understand the fact, nature, or extent of the sexual situation, there is no consent; this includes conditions due to alcohol or drug consumption, or being asleep or unconscious. A lack of protest, absence of resistance, or silence alone does not constitute consent, and past consent to sexual activities does not imply ongoing future consent. The existence of a dating relationship between the people involved or the existence of a past sexual relationship does not prove the presence of, or otherwise provide the basis for, an assumption of consent. Whether the respondent has taken advantage of a position of influence over the complainant may be a factor in determining consent. The full policy is available here.

Sexual Harassment

Section titled “Sexual Harassment”

Sexual Harassment is covered in the college’s non-discrimination policy. Read the full policy.

Ridgewater College Policy Statement

Section titled “Ridgewater College Policy Statement”

Ridgewater College is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and education opportunity. No person shall be discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment, personnel practices, or access to and participation in, programs, services, and activities with regard to race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. In addition, discrimination in employment based on membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law is prohibited.

Harassment on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression is prohibited. Harassment may occur in a variety of relationships, including faculty and student, supervisor and employee, student and student, staff and student, employee and employee, and other relationships with persons having business at, or visiting the educational or working environment.

What kind of conduct is covered by the policy?

Section titled “What kind of conduct is covered by the policy?”

This policy is directed at verbal or physical conduct that constitutes discrimination/harassment under state and federal law and is not directed at the content of speech. In cases in which verbal statements and other forms of expression are involved Ridgewater College will give due consideration to an individual’s constitutionally protected right to free speech and academic freedom. However, discrimination and harassment are not within the protections of academic freedom or free speech.

Ridgewater College shall maintain and encourage full freedom, within the law, of expression, inquiry, teaching and research. Academic freedom comes with a responsibility that all members of our education community benefit from it without intimidation, exploitation, or coercion.

Retaliation

Section titled “Retaliation”

Actions by a student or employee intended as retaliation, reprisal, or intimidation against an individual for making a complaint or participating in any way in a report or investigation under this policy are prohibited and are subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

To whom do the policies apply?

Section titled “To whom do the policies apply?”

All individuals affiliated with Ridgewater College, including but not limited to:

  • Students
  • Employees
  • Applicants
  • Volunteers
  • Agents
  • Board of Trustees

Resources

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you may contact counseling and schedule a confidential appointment at 320-222-5971.

Additionally, you may contact the resources listed below. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list and appearance on the list does not indicate a recommendation by Ridgewater College.

Information and resources for pregnant and lactating students

Web Resources

Section titled “Web Resources”

https://www.knowyourix.org/ https://1in6.org/ http://www.startbybelieving.org/

State Employee Assistance Program, 651-259-3840 or 1-800-657-3719

Community Assistance

Section titled “Community Assistance”

Hutchinson

Section titled “Hutchinson”

Hutchinson Community Hospital 1095 Highway 15 South Hutchinson, MN 55350 320-234-4600

Hutchinson Police Department, 320-587-2242 (non-emergency calls), 911 for emergencies

Safe Avenues – McLeod County Outreach Office Sexual Assault Victim Advocates 101 Main St. South, Suite 203, PO Box 565 Hutchinson, MN 55350 320-587-7981 24-Hour Crisis Phone: 1-800-792-4210

** Mental Health**

Hutchinson Health Mental Health Clinic 1071 Hwy 15 S (Plaza 15) Hutchinson, MN 55350 Appointments: 320-484-4610 24 Hour Crisis Phone: 320-484-4585

Willmar

Section titled “Willmar”

Carris Health – Rice Memorial Hospital Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner 301 Becker Avenue SW Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-4543

Willmar Police Department, 320-235-2244 (non-emergency calls), 911 for emergencies

Safe Avenues-Kandiyohi County Sexual Assault Victim Advocates PO Box 568 Willmar, MN 56201 Business Phone: 320-235-0962 24-Hour Crisis Phone: 1-800-792-4210

Mental Health

Section titled “Mental Health”

Carris Health – Rice Institute 301 Becker Ave. SW Willmar, MN 56201 Appointments: 320-231-439

Woodland Centers 1125 6th St. SE Willmar, MN 56201 Appointments: 320-235-4613 24-Hour Crisis Phone: 1-800-992-1716

State/National Assistance

Section titled “State/National Assistance”

Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault 651-209-9993 1-800-964-8847

National Sexual Violence Resource Center 717-909-0710 1-877-739-3895

Ridgewater Security Report (Clery Act) [PDF] ** MN Sexual Assault Data Report**

Employee Trainings

Trainings

Section titled “Trainings”

Sexual Violence Awareness Training

Section titled “Sexual Violence Awareness Training”

Ridgewater College, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Minnesota State), and the U.S. Government take the issues of sexual violence and sexual harassment very seriously. All Ridgewater students and employees are strongly encouraged to take the Sexual Violence Awareness Training. This training is available on the Ridgewater Desire to Learn page.

Ridgewater also uses the It’s On Us campaign to promote awareness and stop sexual violence. It’s On Us is a cultural movement aimed at fundamentally shifting the way we think and talk about sexual assault.

Title IX Coordinators Training: Revised System Procedure 1B.3.1 [PDF]

Click on links to view training materials for each meeting: