Benedictine College’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures
Every student deserves an environment conducive to optimal learning. The College will assist all students who have experienced harassment, sexual assault, and dating or domestic violence.
Benedictine College prohibits all sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence. This policy applies to all members of the College community. No form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated. Harassment is strictly prohibited in all of the education programs and activities at Benedictine College. Violations of the policy can result in the full range of College discipline. Some instances of sexual misconduct may also constitute criminal conduct.
Unwelcome verbal or physical conduct toward any student or employee is prohibited.
Retaliation against anyone reporting a good faith complaint is prohibited.
All reports of inappropriate conduct will be promptly and thoroughly investigated. The College will develop intermediary measures to minimize disruption of the education for both parties involved in an investigation.
Harassment affects everyone on campus and damages the community Benedictine College is dedicated to fostering. The College is committed to providing a learning, working, and living environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex. Sex discrimination in all forms is a serious offense and will not be tolerated.
In addition to sexual harassment and sexual violence, dating and domestic violence and stalking behaviors also violate the College’s Policy. Perpetrators risk severe college disciplinary sanctions up to and including expulsion and criminal charges.
Each student is responsible for understanding the Benedictine College Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures by reviewing the policy found at www.benedictine.edu/about/policies/title-ix.
What Every Raven Needs to Know: Critical Questions and Answers
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual Harassment is conduct on the basis of sex that constitutes Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment, Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, or Stalking.
“Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment” is an employee of the College conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the College on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual contact.
“Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment” is unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person access to the College’s education programs and activities.
Examples of Sexual Harassment include, but are not limited to, pressure for a dating, romantic, or intimate relationship; unwelcome touching, kissing, hugging, or massaging; pressure for sexual activity; unnecessary reference to parts of the body; sexual innuendos or sexual humor; obscene gestures; sexual graffiti or posters; sexually explicit profanity; asking about or telling about sexual fantasies; email and Internet use that violates this policy; sexual violence/assault (as defined below).
What is Sexual Violence or Assault?
Sexual violence/assault is a form of prohibited sexual harassment. Sexual violence includes physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent because of his or her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity or because of his or her youth.
Examples of Sexual Violence include, but are not limited to, sexual intercourse by a man or woman upon a man or woman without consent; unwilling sexual penetration with any object or body part that is committed by force, threat, or intimidation; and sexual touching without consent.
“Let no one follow what he think useful to himself, but rather to another. Let them practice fraternal charity with a chaste love.” – Rule of St. Benedict, Ch. 72
What Constitutes “Consent” in Cases of Sexual Violence?
Lack of consent is a critical factor in determining whether sexual violence/assault has occurred. Consent refers to words or actions that a reasonable person in the perspective of the Respondent would understand as agreement to engage in the sexual conduct at issue.
- Consent must be given voluntarily. It cannot be procured through physical violence, threats, blackmail, or other unreasonable pressure for sexual activity.
- Incapacitated refers to the state where a person does not appreciate the nature or fact of sexual activity due to the effect of drugs or alcohol consumption, medical condition or disability, or due to a state of unconsciousness or sleep.
- Consent to some form of sexual activity cannot be automatically taken as consent to any other form of sexual activity. Previous relationships or prior consent do not imply consent to future sexual acts.
How Do I Report a Violation?
Students are encouraged to file complaints regarding sexual harassment and assault. Students should contact:
Dr. Sean Mulcahy
Vice Provost of Student Affairs
Title IX Coordinator
St. John Paul II Student Center
Student Life Office
(913) 360-7965
smulcahy@benedictine.edu
or
Eric Burghart
Director of Student Conduct
Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Student Life Office
(913) 360-7502
eburghart@benedictine.edu
or
Jennifer Dittemore
Director of Student Success
Student Success Center, Room 102
1020 N 2nd Street
Atchison, Kansas 66002
Phone: 913.360.7578
jdittemore@benedictine.edu
Students are also encouraged to report crimes to local law enforcement, and if a student wishes, College authorities will assist students in reporting such crimes.
Is My Report Confidential?
Information shared with a Counseling Center mental health provider, clergy, or Student Health staff is confidential. Reports to other college authorities, such as the College Title IX Coordinator and Residence Life staff, will be treated as private though not confidential.
Won’t Reporting Just Make My Problem Worse?
The College will take steps to protect the reporting party from more harassment. Retaliation against the reporting party is strictly prohibited. If a student believes he or she has been retaliated against in violation of this policy, that student should alert school authorities immediately. If a student has obtained a restraining order or other no contact order against the alleged perpetrator, the student should provide that information to the Title IX Coordinator. The College will take all reasonable and legal action to implement the order.
Where Can Students Find Support?
Students may receive professional, confidential, no-cost crisis counseling services through the College Counseling Center. Counseling is available even if a violation hasn’t been reported. The phone number is (913) 360-7621.
SafeLine Kansas is a 24/7, free and confidential support line for Kansans experiencing sexual or domestic violence. When you’re ready, text SAFE to 847411* or call 1-888-363-2287
to be connected with a real person who can provide 24/7 free and confidential support.
Students seeking support can also share information in confidence to official clergy on campus. Appointments can be scheduled with Fr. Ryan Richardson, LC, Campus Chaplain, by calling (913) 360-7656.
If you or someone you know has been verbally harassed or physically or sexually assaulted, it is important to understand that feeling reluctant, sad, angry, or embarrassed is normal. Regardless of where and when a student was hurt, immediate and ongoing support is available on campus.
Confidential Free Support on Campus
- Counseling Center: (913) 360-7621
- Student Health: (913) 360-7117
24 Hour Assistance
- SafeLine Kansas Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Support Hotline: 1-888-363-2287 or Text SAFE to 847411
- Campus Security: (913) 360-8888
- RD On-Call: (913) 360-7070
- Amberwell Atchison Emergency Department: 800 Raven Hill Drive, Atchison, KS 66002 (913) 360-5324
- Atchison Police Department: 911 or (913) 367-4323 for Non-Emergency
Special Guidance Regarding Sexual Violence
Students who have experienced sexual violence should:
- immediately call for medical help via the Residence Life Staff or by calling 911;
- report to law enforcement or campus safety officials. The College will provide support during local law enforcement investigation;
- preserve evidence (no bathing, no changing clothes);
- go to the local hospital as soon as possible;
- begin personal counseling.
I’m a responsible student, and I don’t think I’ll ever have this problem. How does this policy affect me, and how can I help?
The occurrence of harassment and abuse affects everyone in the Benedictine College community, and everyone is at risk. Commit to maintaining a strong campus community by staying aware. Consider attending bystander intervention training, self-defense programs or other prevention-related training. Remember that each of our students is unique and precious. Just one violation is one too many.
- Nationwide, college-aged women are four times more likely than other-aged women to experience sexual assault, and one in ten men will be sexually assaulted or raped. (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 2013)
- Be aware of risk factors. College students are at higher risk than other populations. Alcohol and drug use increase risk. More than 50% of sexual assault cases reported nationally involve alcohol. The presence of alcohol is never an excuse for sexual assault. Sexual and dating violence is never your fault.
- Look out for not just your friends, but every student. Try to help prevent a violation by being a proactive bystander. Report incidences of sexual harassment. Most violent and sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone known and trusted, which often discourages reporting.
- Hold peers accountable when they behave in an inappropriate way. Don’t forget the responsibilities of bystanders. Practice the basics of bystander intervention training. Participate in programs offered on campus.
- Understand that sharing explicit photographs or nonconsensual video recording of a student can be sexual assault. Sharing information about students on social media is a common offense of college students. Say something if you passively observe a violation.
Ravens CARE: Compassion-Awareness-Resilience-Encounter
Ravens CARE is a student group that promotes ongoing awareness and prevention programs for the student body and also provides peer support to those who have been assaulted.
Contact Yvette Korbelik, for information on upcoming events or to join Ravens CARE: Counseling Center – (913) 360-7621 – ykorbelik@benedictine.edu