SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND VIOLENCE

Santa Rosa Junior College is dedicated to fostering a safe and respectful community where everyone can work and learn free from violence, harassment, and intimidation.

Sexual misconduct affects the entire community. Student Health Services supports survivors and aims to prevent sexual violence while offering compassionate intervention when needed.

SRJC District Policy: Prevention of and Response to Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking, POLICY 2.15 and 2.15P.

Clinicians at the Student Health Services are available to talk to you about any health concern. please call or email to make an appointment.

  • AFFIRMATIVE CONSENT

    What is Affirmative Consent?

    • Affirmative Consent is consent that is informed, clearly affirmative, unambiguous, and a conscious decision by each participant to engage in mutually agreed­ upon sexual activity.
    • Silence and/or lack of protest or resistance does not mean consent.
    • Consent is voluntary. It must be given without coercion, force, threats, or intimidation.
    • Consent is revocable.
    • Consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual encounter and can be revoked at any time.
    • Consent cannot be given when a person is incapacitated.
    • A person cannot consent if s/he is unconscious or coming in and out of consciousness.
    • A person cannot consent if s/he is under the threat of violence, bodily injury or other forms of coercion.
    • A person cannot consent if his/her understanding of the act is affected by a physical or mental impairment.
    • Sexual activity with a minor is not consensual.
       

    If the Affected Party states affirmative consent was not given, it shall not be a valid excuse that the accused believed consent was given to sexual activity under either of the following circumstances:

    1. Belief the consent arose from the intoxication or recklessness of the Affected Party or
    2. The accused did not take reasonable steps at the time of the alleged incident, to determine if the Affected Party affirmatively consented.
       

    It shall not be a valid excuse that the accused believed the Affected Party affirmatively consented to sexual activity if the accused knew or should have known that the affirmative consent could not be given because the Affected Party

    1. Was asleep or unconscious or
    2. Was incapacitated due to the influence or drugs, alcohol, or medication or could not understand the nature, or extent of the sexual activity, or
    3. Was unable to communicate due to a mental or physical condition.
       
    READ MORE: titleix.santarosa.edu/what-title-ix
  • IF YOU ARE ASSAULTED

    Sexual assault is never the survivor’s fault.

    You have the right to make informed choices.

    PERSONAL SAFETY IS FIRST

    • Get to a safe environment.
    • Call a friend.
    • If unsure about your safety or if you need immediate medical assistance, call 9-1-1.
       

    IF YOU ARE PHYSICALLY HURT, GET MEDICAL ATTENTION

    • Any medical provider who knows or suspects you are being treated for physical injuries related to an assault is required by law to report to law enforcement.
    • You do not have to cooperate with any investigation.
    • You can have personal support people with you, including a Verity crisis counselor/advocate.
       

    Reactions to all types of assaults can include numbness and shock, feeling alone, self-blame and anger. The licensed clinical and behavioral health staff can listen to your concerns and assist you in determining next steps. They can coordinate with other agencies. These staff are also ready to support you concerning assaults that may have taken place months or years ago when you are ready for that discussion.

    The Student Health Services offices are available in Santa Rosa, Monday through Friday, and in Petaluma, Monday through Thursday. They can work with survivors, families, significant others. They are supportive of your rights to make choices, and embrace all cultures, sexual preferences and genders.

  • REPORTING OPTIONS
    • Title IX Office Reporting

      All SRJC employees and students can make a report to the Title IX coordinator to ensure your safety by going to https://titleix.santarosa.edu/. The Title IX coordinator will investigate all claims, issue protective restraints, for example, classroom reassignment. They determine appropriate punishment, up to and including termination and/or expulsion from the District. 

      Report sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic or dating violence, stalking, or threat of any of these committed by a student, staff, faculty, or other member of the college community, with or without filing a police report and whether on or off campus.

       
      Title IX Coordinator

      Stephanie Jarrett: (707) 527-4822, sjarrett@santarosa.edu

      Title IX Deputy Coordinators

      Denise Cooper: (707) 778-4187, dcooper@santarosa.edu (Petaluma)
      Kimberly Starke: (707) 527-4276, kstarke@santarosa.edu (Santa Rosa)

    • Anonymous Reporting
      • You can make a report to police or sheriff department without giving your name. You can also have evidence collected in an anonymous report by contacting Verity at (707) 545-7273 and they can arrange for the exam. If you are not sure if you want to report a physical assault to the police, you can have an exam to collect evidence within 72-hours is recommended.
      • Also, avoid bathing, brushing your teeth prior to collecting evidence, if possible.
      • Evidence can be held while you consider your next steps. If you would like to talk about the pros and cons of making a police report, call Verity at (707) 545-7273.  They have English and Spanish speaking counselors and advocates available 24-hours/day, 7-days/week.
    • Direct Police Reporting
      • You may report any stalking, sexual assault, harassment or other misconduct to the the District Police. They will relay the information to the correct jurisdiction and you will not have to speak with any additional officers
      • You can call or go to a police station. You will speak with a law enforcement officer.
      • You can also go to an Emergency Room and tell them you have been assaulted and law enforcement will be called.
      • Read the SRJC District Police's Reporting and Safety Tips
  • CONFIDENTIALITY

    The Student Health Services licensed Clinical or Behavioral Health staff (Nurse Practitioners, College Physicians, Student Psychological Counselors, and SPS Interns) can provide confidential support, care, and information. These SHS licensed staff are not required to report to any authority without your consent.  

    If you discuss the assault with Santa Rosa Junior College faculty or staff be aware that, by law, they must report it to the Title IX office (except for Student Health Services licensed clinical or behavioral health staff).

  • SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT SERVICES
  • SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION

    Keeping Ourselves and Others Safe

    One of the most essential parts of your college life will be the relationships you build with other students, staff, and faculty on campus. You have the right to be in relationships that you choose and to have those be safe for you. You are equally responsible for treating others with respect.

    Actions You Can Take

    Keep your own personal relationships safe and healthy.

    • Trust your instincts: If someone makes you feel uncomfortable remove yourself from the situation and tell someone. 
    • Communicate clearly:  In a relationship or interaction, get clear about what you want. If there are limits that you want to maintain, state what they are and stick to them.  Practice describing your limits outside of intimate situations, so you feel ready to express yourself.
       

    Help Others Have Safe and Healthy Relationships (Bystander Intervention)

    • Stand up against abusive words & actions  Make it clear that violence is not okay with you: Help create culture of respect and non-violence on campus. 
    • If you see something, say something: If you are concerned about threatening or abusive behavior that you have witnessed, contact us for information on how to help. 
    • Educate Yourself: To learn more about sexual assault, stalking, healthy relationships, and the "Yes Means Yes" law, check out videos created by The Not Anymore campaign which can be viewed for free on the Student Success YouTube Channel
    • Respect boundaries: Listen to others when they express their limits and do not use pressure, threats or intimidation to get what you want. 
    • Use the buddy system: If meeting up with people you don’t know, it’s a good idea to bring another friend along. Look out for each other and help each other if they signal they want to leave. 
    • Reach out for help: Contact us to talk to someone who can help you find alternatives to violence in your relationship or if you have been threatened or assaulted. 

    It's On Us: Sexual Assault Prevention at SRJC

    Santa Rosa Junior College prohibits all forms of dating violence, stalking, sexual assault and harassment. In this video, SRJC students share important information about the risk of sexual violence, tips for prevention, on and off campus resources for support, and reporting options.

    Find us on YouTube for all of our videos: @srjcstudenthealthpeers

  • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

    What is Domestic Violence and Domestic Assault?

    Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and emotional abuse.

    Who Can Be a Victim?

    Anyone can become a victim of domestic violence, women, men, children, the elderly and disabled. Domestic violence can come from spouses, significant others, parents, caregivers, close family members, or roommates.

    Services and Resources at SRJC

    • Referrals to local Domestic Violence shelters and resources.
    • On-Campus restraining orders.
    • Safe escorting from campus security to and from classes to car.
    • Teacher and faculty awareness and corroboration.
    • Counseling and mental health services.
    • On-campus and local support groups.
       

    SRJC and Community Domestic Violence Resources

    • SRJC District Police
      Phone: EMERGENCY: (707) 527-1000 | Non-emergency: (707) 528-5222
      Address: 965 Sonoma Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95404
      Web: police.santarosa.edu
       

    • National Domestic Violence Hotline
      Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE(7233)
      Web: thehotline.org
       

    • YWCA of Sonoma County
      Phone: (707) 546-1234 | 24/7 Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline
      Address: 811 3rd St. Santa Rosa, CA 95404
      Web: ywcasc.org
       

    • Love is Respect
      Phone: 1-866-331-9474 | 1-800-787-3224 (TTY); Text 'LOVEIS' to 22522
      Web: loveisrespect.org

  • SEXUAL ASSAULT STATISTICS

    Collecting accurate data on sexual assault is difficult due to victims’ reticence to report. It is estimated that approximately 70% of assaults are not reported by women, and even lower percentages for males. The most current data available, Dec 2014, Lynn Langton, PhD, Bureau of Justice Statistics shows the following:

    One in five women is sexually assaulted while in college. A significant number of men also are sexually assaulted during college. 75 - 80% of these assaults are by someone they know.

    The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to publish an annual report every year that contains 3 years of crime statistics and certain policy statements including sexual assault policies which assure basic victims’ rights. 

    Clery Act data is available by campus

    • At least 50% of sexual assaults among college students involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, the victim, or both.
    • About 1 in 4 women, and 1 in 13 men will experience stalking.
    • Up to 1 in 3 relationships have abuse present.
    • Partner violence occurs in same-sex couples about same rate as heterosexual couples.