Frequently Asked Questions for Faculty and Staff
- Why do I have to report a disclosure of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence and stalking?
- What do I have to report to the Title IX Coordinator?
- What are the definitions for sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence, and stalking?
- When do I let the student know that I am required to report?
- How should I respond to a student who reports to me?
- How soon do I have to report?
- How far back can a case be reported?
Why do I have to report a disclosure of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence and stalking?
First and foremost, RSCCD strives to provide a safe environment for its students and employees. If there is a culture of sexual violence in our community, then we are not meeting this effort. Reporting incidents of sexual misconduct help us in meeting this effort.
Second, Title IX of the United States Department of Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and gender in education programs or activities. Sexual harassment, which includes acts of sexual violence, is a form of sexual discrimination. A student who is sexually harassed or assaulted may also suffer from unequal access to educational opportunities and may be afraid to come to campus or class. As a result, they may visit a faculty or staff member’s office. While statistics on sexual violence on campuses across the nation have increased, it is still believed that these cases are severely underreported. Finally, all employees (except confidential employees like the psychologist in the Student Health Center) are considered "Responsible Employees" and must report all incidents of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence and stalking to the Title IX Coordinator.
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What do I have to report to the Title IX Coordinator?
If a student reports that they have experienced sexual misconduct, stalking, dating and domestic violence and stalking, then you are required by Title IX to report all information you are told to the District's Title IX Coordinator. Even if the incident occurs off-campus if it involves District students or employees it must be reported. For your convenience, there is a Maxient Report Form that you can fill out online.
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What are the definitions for sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence, and stalking?
You can find the definitions of sexual misconduct, dating and domestic violence, and stalking visit the page title "Definitions. "To learn more about sexual harassment, please visit the page titled "What is Sexual Harassment?"
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When do I let the student know that I am required to report?
If a student begins to tell you about a reportable incident, you should interrupt the student as soon as possible and explain you are mandated to report any information they confide in you. Being prepared by having the statement below on your syllabus or in your office may help to keep misunderstandings from occurring.
“I need to tell you that I am considered a Responsible Employee. That means that I inform the Tile IX Coordinator that an incident of sexual misconduct, dating and domestic violence, and stalking has occurred. Your personal safety and overall health is our number one concern. The reason we do this report is to make sure you are able to get all the help and support you need. If you do not want details of what occurred reported or are not interested in making a complaint at this time, you have the right to maintain your privacy. I will only report what you confide in me.”
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How should I respond to a student who reports to me?
The most important things to do are to listen, believe the student, ask if the student feels safe, and determine how to help with physical and mental health. Encourage the student to report the incident to one or more of the following options:
- Campus Emergency
3-3-3 from any campus phone or
9-1-1
- Santa Ana Police Department
(714-245-8665)
- Orange Police Department
(714-744-7444).
- Campus Safety
- SAC (714) 564-6330
- SCC (714) 628-4730
- CEC (714) 241-5738
- OEC (714) 628-5950
- Health Center
- SAC (714) 564-6216
- SCC (714) 628-4773
- Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
- SAC (714) 564-6216
- SCC (714) 628-4773
- Title IX Officer
(714) 480-7404
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How soon do I have to report?
You need to report the incident immediately after hearing or witnessing a reportable incident. The sooner you report, the sooner the information can be investigated and less opportunity for an offender to continue the behavior.
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How far back can a case be reported?
There is no statute of limitations for informal resolution.
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NOTE: Investigations of the reportable incidents
are not your responsibility. Trained individuals will conduct an investigation.
