Campus Sexual Assault Policy

The Community College of Rhode Island prohibits discrimination/harassment of any kind. Sexual Assault and sexual violence are examples of discrimination/harassment. All forms of Rape, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking are prohibited.

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Policy - PDF file (from HR)
Complaint Procedures - Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and
Sexual Violence - PDF file (from HR)

What to do in the Event of a Sexual Assault

In the event you are a victim of sexual assault, your first priority it to get to a place of safety and seek medical care. Seeking help from a hospital or trauma center ensures that a victim of sexual assault receives the necessary medical treatment and tests, at no expense. It also provides the opportunity for collection of evidence that could aid in prosecution (if chosen), that cannot be obtained later. (Ideally a victim of sexual assault should not wash, douche, use the toilet or change clothing prior to a medical/legal exam.)

Once you have received appropriate medical care, you will want to seek advice on what to do next. There are multiple options available to you and you will be the person who makes the decisions.

Local, State or Campus Police

You can consult with a police officer trained in sexual trauma to access medical care or counseling and learn about your legal rights WITHOUT having to file a police report. If you choose to consult with Campus Police, we will notify local law enforcement should you choose to file a criminal complaint. Campus Police will transport you to the police agency of your choice (local/state) if you desire such an escort. An advocate may be made available to accompany you.

Community Resources

Community support services give victims access to free confidential counseling from counselors trained in the area of sexual assault crisis intervention. Off-campus services that are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week include:

• Women’s Center (401-861-2760)
• Day One (401-421-4100)

College Resources

The Community College strongly encourages a victim of sexual assault on campus or involving other members of the college community, or at college events to report the incident in a timely manner. A college representative from Campus Police or Student Services will guide the victim through the available options and support the victim in his or her decision and allows the college to offer interim protective measures if appropriate to the situation. The victim of a sexual assault may choose to have the investigation pursued through the criminal justice system or the student disciplinary system. College action is limited and the college’s disciplinary system is no substitution for legal action, criminal or civil. The community college strongly encourages victims to choose to file a criminal complaint, but will respect their decision to do so or not.

A sexual assault victim may choose to file a confidential complaint where his or her identity will remain undisclosed http://www.ccri.edu/campuspolice/sexual-assault-data-collection/. This will allow for the incident to be counted in campus crime statistics, but this severely limits the ability to investigate or pursue charges against the perpetrator.

Various on-campus support and counseling services are available for victims of sexual assault:

Hours of operation for these services vary and should not be considered an emergency contact. Check the website for current hours of operation. The personnel in these offices can provide advice and counseling, detailed information on health issues and reporting procedures, or referrals to other resources. Campus Police offices are open 24 hours a day/7 days a week in Warwick and Lincoln.

www.ccri.edu/Advising/Student_Services/handbook.html

Court Orders of Protection

The Campus Police, local and state police, and members of CCRI professional staff can assist you in obtaining a restraining order against someone who has assaulted you. Depending upon the situation, you may obtain a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), a District Court or Family Court Restraining order, a No Contact Order (NCO) (for the duration of the criminal case) and a no contact order issued from the College administration. Restraining orders issued from a court or justice of the peace are legally enforceable and a person violating the order can be arrested immediately. Violation of the College’s NCO are punishable under the range of sanction’s available to the College administration which usually includes expulsion. Police advocates are available in most of the College’s jurisdictions. In addition to the Campus Police/police advocates helping you through the process, you can contact the courts directly:

Garrahy Judicial Complex (Providence County): 401-458-3372

Noel Judicial Complex (Kent County): 401-822-6680

McGrath Judicial Complex (Washington County): 401-782-4174

Murray Judicial Complex (Newport County): 401-619-2555 401-619-2865

What to Do If You Have Been Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Allegations of sexual assault or harassment are extremely serious and the college is legally and morally required to handle such accusations with speed and an abundance of caution. The college will not presume that you have violated the Student Conduct Code or any state or federal law. However, the college may act preventively for the well-being of the accusing student or the broader community if sufficient preliminary evidence exists of a potential danger or threat.

If you are accused of sexual misconduct, a Title IX investigation will be conducted by a trained member of the Title IX compliance group. You will be notified about the accusation and you will be given an opportunity to respond to the accusation. You may provide names of witnesses or other references to the investigator for inclusion in the process or submit written documentation as the complainant is allowed to do this as well. At the conclusion of the investigation, a summary of the investigator’s findings will be sent to the complainant and the respondent simultaneously and in writing. The full report will be forwarded to the dean of students for possible disciplinary action if warranted.

If you are arrested for sexual misconduct by local law enforcement for a charge that is unrelated to the community college, the college reserves the right to act preventively for the well-being of the broader community, up to and including interim suspension. However, no formal disciplinary action will be taken until the legal process has been concluded in accordance with the college’s policy for off-campus activities.