Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking

Piedmont College does not tolerate interpersonal violence, which includes sexual assault, prohibited sexual contact, stalking, dating violence and domestic violence in any form. Because of the sensitive, complex, and serious nature of these issues, and because the personal wellbeing of the victim should be the foremost concern, Piedmont College’s policy on sexual crimes strictly complies with and exceeds federal policy regulations. Sexual assault is defined as nonconsensual physical contact of a sexual nature. This includes acts committed by force, threat, intimidation, or by use of the victim’s mental or physical incapacity or impairment of which the accused was aware or should have been aware. Threats of death or use of a weapon increases the severity of legal charges. Sex crimes can be prosecuted even if the victim knew the attacker, the victim did not fight back, the victim had consensual sex with the attacker previously, or the victim was intoxicated or unconscious.

Educating Students and Staff about Sex Offenses

Piedmont College is committed to providing the safest environment possible for study and work. Part of that commitment includes educating current and prospective students and employees about campus safety. Sexual assault and prevention educational opportunities provided for students focus wholly or in part on rape awareness and prevention. The Director of Residential Education oversees peer educators who provide information on healthy and unhealthy relationships, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. Peer educators are also knowledgeable about campus and community resources. Educational programs will be provided to promote awareness of the various aspects of sexual assault.

Actions to take if sexually assaulted

Seek medical attention immediately. It is important to preserve evidence, so don’t shower, change clothes or disturb the scene of the attack. Go to the emergency room of a hospital and ask a friend to go along if possible. Hospital personnel will treat the physical consequences of assault, such as injury, infection, disease and pregnancy. They can collect evidence that will be needed if the crime is reported. They are required to contact local law enforcement agencies. A victim who reports a sexual assault has the option to notify the local law enforcement and, at the victim’s request, a Piedmont staff member will assist in making the proper notification. Campus staff responsible for assistance include the Dean of Student Engagement, Assistant to the Vice President of the Athens Campus, Campus Police, Campus Minister Counseling Services, Director of Residential Education or Residence Hall Directors. If the assault occurs on campus and 911 is called, emergency personnel will send medical assistance and notify Campus Police.

The college encourages all victims of sexual assault to report it promptly to the Campus Police or the appropriate police agency for the jurisdiction where the incident occurred. Depending on the location of the assault, the victim may be referred back to Piedmont College Campus Police to report the crime and have the crime investigated. Acts in violation of federal, state, and local law are within the jurisdiction of the campus judicial system when committed on campus property. When committed off campus property, they may fall within the jurisdiction of the campus judicial system when they constitute a direct or indirect threat to the College community or its members. If the matter is adjudicated on campus the matter will be handled administratively.

Resources for Victims of Sexual Assault, Stalking, Dating Violence and/or Domestic Violence

If you do not wish to make a report to the police, you are still encouraged to seek professional medical advice. (Please note that all health-care providers are legally required to report all cases of suspected sexual or physical assault to law enforcement.) Additional assistance is available through the following:

Demorest - On Campus Confidential Reporting

• Evonne Jones, Counseling Services 706-778-3000 ext. 1259
• Reverend Tim Garvin-Leighton, Campus Minister 706-778-3000 ext. 1179

Resources

• Piedmont College Counseling Services 706-778-3000 ext. 1259
• Circle of Hope Domestic Violence Services (24-hour local hotline) 706-776-4673
• Rape Response (24/7 crisis hotline) 770-503-7273
• Habersham County Mental Health Clinic 706-754-6293

Athens - Confidential On Campus Reporting

• Emily Pettit, Counseling Services 706-548-8505 ext. 8052

Resources

• Piedmont College Counseling Services 706-548-8505 ext. 8052
• Advantage Behavioral Health Rape Response Line 706-353-1912
• The Cottage, Crisis Hotline 1-877-363-1912 http://www.northgeorgiacottage.org/

NOTE: Reporting an incident is a separate step from choosing to prosecute. When you file a report, you are NOT obligated to continue with legal proceedings or college disciplinary action. Remember, you can choose whether or not to participate in proceedings at any point. Appropriate legal, disciplinary or remedial actions may be taken against any persons or groups alleged to have or found to be responsible for engaging in crimes of interpersonal violence to include rape, acquaintance rape or other forcible or non-forcible sex offenses. In addition to arrest, students may have Student Conduct charges brought against them. College employees, visitors and/or vendors may be subject to arrest, suspension and/or termination of college employment and/or termination of contracts/agreements.

After Reporting a Sexual Assault

Piedmont College provides support for victims of sexual assault and will protect the confidentiality of the victim, including protecting the victim’s identifying information to the extent permissible by law when creating publicly-available record keeping. If the victim is a student, the college will change a victim’s academic schedule and on–campus living and working situations if changes are requested, appropriate to the situation and if reasonably available. Whether or not legal charges are filed, students accused of sexual abuse or assaults are subject to disciplinary actions from the college as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and the college Title IX Policy. Sanctions the college may impose following a final determination of a disciplinary proceeding regarding sexual assault, acquaintance rape or other forcible or non-forcible sex offense include college disciplinary probation, suspension, expulsion or other sanctions.

Investigation Proceedings and Possible Sanctions

Piedmont College will aid in providing prompt, fair, and impartial investigation and resolution in cases of alleged domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking. The proceedings will be conducted by officials who receive annual training on these crimes and how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of victims and promotes accountability. Not all forms of sex-based misconduct will be deemed to be equally serious offenses, and the college reserves the right to impose different sanctions depending on the severity of the offense and/or offender history.

Any student found responsible for violating this Policy may receive any of the following sanctions:

• Community Service to Piedmont College, Habersham or Athens/Clark County community;
• Discretionary Sanction-requires work assignments, written assignments, service to Piedmont College or other related discretionary assignments;
• Educational Sanctions-includes but is not limited to the completion of an educational assignment (e.g., research paper, program presentation, etc.)
• Fines
• Formal written warning
• Loss of privileges (e.g., inability to have visitors/guests, etc.)
• Probation
• Residence hall expulsion
• Residence hall suspension
• Restitution
• Revocation of admission and/or degree
• College expulsion
• College suspension
• Withholding degree
• Anger intervention assessment
• No contact (direct or indirect) with the victim
• Banishment from all Piedmont College property, functions, etc.
• Substance abuse assessment
• Parental notification
• Training on sex-based misconduct.

Both the alleged victim and the accused are entitled to have others present during the College’s disciplinary proceedings, including the opportunity to be accompanied to any related meeting or proceeding by an advisor of their choice and both the accuser and the accused will be simultaneously informed in writing of:

1. The outcome of any College disciplinary proceeding that arises from an allegation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault of stalking;
2. The institution’s procedures for the accused and the victim to appeal the results of the College’s disciplinary proceeding;
3. Of any change to the results that occur prior to the time that such results become final; and
4. When such results become final.