Know Your Rights, Know Your Options, Know the Resources

"Davidson College does not condone and will not tolerate sexual misconduct or sexually exploitative or harassing behavior of any kind. The College community is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that is not only free of sexual misconduct, but which promotes a healthy spirit of responsibility, dignity, and respect in matters of sexual conduct. Davidson students share an ethical tradition of abiding by the highest moral standards, taking responsibility for their actions, and treating people with integrity and respect."
Davidson College Sexual Misconduct Policy

Nearly 20% of women, and 6% of men, are sexually assaulted while in college and most often by someone they know. Most offenders use alcohol as the weapon of choice against their victims. No physical force or injuries are usually reported.
DOE, Office of Civil Rights

Sexual Misconduct includes any non-consensual conduct of a sexual nature; sexually exploitative behavior; and, sexual harassment. It is not possible for a person to give consent if incapacitated by drugs, alcohol, or other physical or mental impairment; or if they have been threatened or coerced into giving their consent; or if the person is under the age of 16. More detailed information can be found in the College's Code of Responsibility, under "Policy and Procedures for Student Sexual Misconduct."

Resources for Students
The College is committed to providing maximum support for all students who have experienced sexual misconduct and strongly encourages students to report any incident. All College services are available to survivors of Sexual Misconduct regardless of whether or not a student intends to file a formal complaint. Resources for students include:

Campus Police ........................................ 704-894-2178  or  911
Dean of Students Office............................. 704-894-2225
Student Health & Counseling ......................704-894-2300
Chaplain's Office ......................................704-894-2423
Georgia Ringle, Health Educator .................704-894-2902
(Town of) Davidson Police Department ........704-892-5131

Reporting Sexual Misconduct
The College is committed to taking appropriate action to address incidents of Sexual Misconduct and to ensure a safe and non-hostile environment for all students. The College strongly encourages all students to report incidents, and will not tolerate any form of retaliation for reporting. Statistics indicate that most sexual assaults are committed by repeat offenders. The College is severely limited in its ability to investigate and address sexual assault on campus without student cooperation and information. By reporting incidents, students help the College in its efforts to ensure the safety of the campus and to identify patterns of misconduct.

While students are encouraged to report incidents of Sexual Misconduct directly to the Dean of Students and/or to Campus Police, students may report a Sexual Misconduct incident to any member of the Davidson College faculty or staff. Reports made directly to the College Chaplain or to the counselors and doctors at the Student Health and Counseling Center are protected by confidentiality laws and will not be shared beyond that meeting unless threat to health or safety is imminent. All other reports, including those to Campus Police, Health Educator, faculty, staff, coaches, First Responders, and RLO student staff members, will be referred to the Dean of Students Office for assessment and will be reported to the Campus Police for Clery Act statistical reporting purposes.

To the extent possible, the College will respect a student's request to remain anonymous and to keep the detail of the report confidential. However, the request for confidentiality will be weighed against the College's obligation to act on information it has received in order to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment.

Students who have experienced Sexual Misconduct may elect to take the following actions:
• File a criminal report with Campus Police.
• File a formal complaint with the Dean of Students Office, to request that the incident be adjudicated by the Sexual Misconduct Board.
• Pursue informal mediation of the complaint conducted by staff of the Dean of Students Office (informal mediation is not appropriate in cases involving allegations of sexual assault.)

Students who elect not to pursue any of the above options may nonetheless do any of the following:

• Seek counseling.
• Request a rearrangement of class schedule or housing.
• Request a no-contact order
• Request an escort between classes and activities.
• Request that the Dean of Students address the concerns with the accused student.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex - including sexual harassment and sexual violence -- in education programs or activities which receive Federal financial assistance. For more information about your rights under Title IX, contact the College's Title IX Coordinator, Dean Kathy Bray (704-894-2225). You may also contact:

Department of Education
Office of Civil Rights
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
www.ed.gov or email to OCR@ed.gov