Creating a Safe Campus: Preventing Violence and Promoting Consent

1. Creating a Safe CampusPilar Page, Student Support Coordinator, MSWJudith Pierce, Manager of Wellness, MPH

2. WELCOME!

3. DIVERSE college experiences

4. We all have a responsibility to keep our community safe

5. Alcohol use • California law prohibits any person under the age of 21 from buying, possessing, consuming, or distributing alcoholic beverages. There is no exemption from this law. • It a misdemeanor for any person under 21 years of age to obtain or try to obtain alcoholic beverages by presenting or offering a false identification https://www.mills.edu/student_services/health_and_counseling/documents/Mills-Alcohol%20-Drug-Policy-for-Campus-Clarity.pdf

6. Drug use • In accordance with California and federal law, Mills strictly prohibits the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs by students. • A commitment to vigorous enforcement against drug use means that the College will not tolerate even recreational use of illicit drugs, including marijuana, or the gratuitous distribution of drugs on campus. https://www.mills.edu/student_services/health_and_counseling/documents/Mills-Alcohol%20-Drug-Policy-for-Campus-Clarity.pdf

7. Many acts of violence occur when alcohol is involved • Alcohol is the #1 abused substance in cases of sexual assault

8. Methods to stop violence before it starts

9. strengthening skills to protect yourself and others • Sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking are real problems that can occur during the college experience and beyond • These forms of violence are incredibly complex and can bring up a lot of emotions for many of us – we have resources and spaces here on campus to support survivors • There are many ways to say no, and there are often opportunities for bystanders to step in and help prevent an act of violence

10. Definitions and Interventions

11. Sexual Assault Any unwanted, non-consensual sexual contact against any individual by another.

12. Domestic /Partner Violence Crime of violence committed by spouse, cohabitant, parent of victim’s child, or similarly situated person.

13. Stalking/ Harassment Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to: • Fear for his or her safety or the safety of others • Suffer substantial emotional distress

14. Points on saying “no” • Direct statements: I am not comfortable, I don’t want to right now • Proactive approach: I want to be clear about expectations, Just because I am here doesn’t mean I want to… • Respond assertively: I have already told you I am not interested, You are not listening to me, Stop trying to convince me I have made up my mind Remember- no one deserves to be assaulted

15. Examples of things you may notice • You are at a party and you notice a senior track star pouring many drinks for first years. After the first years all look super intoxicated, the track star tries to get one of the first years to go to an isolated room. • You are eating lunch with friends on campus and notice a couple is fighting. At first it was quiet, but it starts to get louder. One person pounds on the table and the other person starts to lift their hand high • Your classmate Jaime looks really anxious when ever another student, Lee shows up. And Lee shows up everywhere that Jaime is! From the garden to the classroom, Lee seems to be where ever Jaime goes.

16. Bystander A person who notices something is going on

17. Direct- clearly address the situation Ask “what is going on?” “are you okay?” “is there something I can do?” Tell the people in the situation that the behavior needs to stop. Get a few other people to help intervene and quickly stop an acceleration of violence

18. Delegate– Have someone else help • Call an authority, such as an RA, head of the fraternity or campus safety • Have your most outgoing friend yell to see if they need help • Ask a few other friends to help check in

19. Distract- Create a diversion • Ask where the bathroom is and have the person show you • Spill your drink/popcorn/homework anything that can go everywhere • Start singing a school or class song really loud and encourage others to join • Remind people that they need a ride home • Borrow the person’s phone • Ask the person a really complicated question about a class

20. There is no perfect way to stop violence • Bystander actions can stop some forms of violence • Quick intervention may feel uncomfortable • If you can do something, do it

21. Affirmative consent yes means yes • Must use an "affirmative consent" standard to decide responsibility, which is defined as an affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. • Consent may be withdrawn at any time • The other person's silence or lack of protest or resistance does not show consent • Acurrent dating relationship or past sexual relations with the accused does not necessarily mean consent was given • Applies to schools that receive state funds for student financial aid

22. Consent Cannot be inferred from the absence of a “no” or a clear “yes,” verbal or otherwise, is necessary. Cannot be obtained from someone who is underage, asleep or otherwise mentally or physically incapacitated, whether due to alcohol, drugs, or some other condition. Cannot be obtained by threat, coercion or force.

23. What to do… Get to a safe place Get support immediately Want to take legal action? • Do not wash or change clothes in any way • If changing clothes, put all in a paper bag Get medical attention Seek Counseling on or off campus

24. How to help a friend • Never judge! • Sexual Assault is never the survivor’s fault • Be supportive • Listen, but don’t counsel • If recent, encourage them to save evidence and seek medical attention • Encourage them to seek counseling-offer to go with them-make them feel supported.

25. policies & Procedures

26. Statement of Policy Students and employees are highly encouraged to promptly report allcrimes to campus police and appropriate law enforcement when the victim of such crimes is incapacitated or is unable to make such a report.

27. Disciplinary Procedures • Fair, prompt, impartial investigation and resolution • Conducted by “officials” who receive “annual training” • Equitable opportunities for survivor and accused

28. Equitable opportunities Accused and survivor are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during the institutional process (hearings and other meetings)

29. Campus Resources Public Safety (24/7) 510-430-5555 Student Support Coordinator 510-430-2143 Counseling and Psychological Services 510-430-2260 Dean of Students 510-430-3189 Wellness and Community Outreach 510-430-2260

30. Resources Available The Clery Centerwww.clerycenter.org484-580-8754 National Sexual Violence Resource Centerwww.nsvrc.org877-739-3895Violence Against Women Network (VAWnet)www.vawnet.orgNational Violence Against Women Prevention Research Centerwww.musc.edu/vawpreventon/ RAINN - Rape, Abuse & Incest Network National Networkwww.rainn.orgOnline Hotline 1.800.656.HOPE (4673) The National Domestic Violence Hotlinewww.thehotline.org1-800-799-7233 The National Stalking Resource Centerwww.victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/stalking-resource-center Stalking Hotline - 1-800-394-2255