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Sexual misconduct and rape will not be tolerated at Lycoming College. The nature of these types of incidents causes
immense difficulty to the individuals directly involved and offends the educational mission of the institution. Any time
a person is forced, coerced, and/or manipulated into unwanted sexual activity, that act violates a person's trust and
sense of safety. Acts of sexual misconduct are a violation of the College's code of student conduct. Those identified
as being responsible for such acts may expect to be criminally prosecuted and held accountable under the sexual misconduct
grievance procedure described in the Student Policies Manual.
Definition
Reporting Sexual Misconduct
If You Are Sexually Assaulted
If Someone You Know Is Sexually Assaulted
Advocates
Protect Yourself
Resources
Definition
Lycoming College defines Sexual Misconduct as: deliberate physical contact of a sexual nature (or threats or attempts
thereof) which is against the person's will or without their consent or cognizance. Sexual misconduct may involve various
forms of coercion or force and can occur when a victim is incapable of giving consent due to the influence of drugs, alcohol,
emotional trauma, or other factors.
Consent further defined...
- Mutual consent must be expressed by words, actions, or gestures.
- No one who has been threatened or coerced can consent.
- No person who has been given alcohol or drugs through deception or without their knowledge may give consent.
- No person who is physically helpless, impaired by alcohol, or in a state of diminished judgment may give consent.
- Silence or non-communication must never be interpreted as consent.
- Consent may be withdrawn at any time during the course of a sexual encounter.
- Failure to respect a withdrawal of consent is improper sexual conduct.
- A current relationship or previous sexual relationship between the parties may not be taken as an automatic
indication of consent.
Examples of sexual misconduct include, but are not limited to: (1) unwanted sexual contact such as fondling; (2)
deliberate or reckless threats, actual or implied, of physical assault or physical harm, or (3) coerced sexual activity
which, in its most severe form, is manifested by any form of sexual penetration when consent was not freely given.
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Reporting Sexual Misconduct
Incidents of sexual misconduct occur on our campus and we want to encourage students who believe they have been
the victim of sexual misconduct to report the incident. A student who believes he/she has been the victim of sexual
misconduct has up to six months to report the incident on campus. The student may report the incident to College
authorities and/or the local authorities. If a student reports an incident to the local police and the College, the
adjudication processes will be separate and distinct from one another.
To report a sexual misconduct incident to local authorities a student should contact the
Williamsport City Police Department (*911/327-7545) or Wise Options
(1-800-326-8483, 323-8167). On campus, a student can first
report an incident to a variety of different staff members including, a
Resident Advisor, Student Life Coordinator, Health Services nurse,
College counselor (321-4258/4332), a Safety and Security officer
(321-4911/4064), the Director of Residential Life (321-4046), etc.
If a student reports an incident on campus and wants action to be taken, the student will need to speak with the Dean of Student
Affairs (321-4039) or a designee. If action is taken on campus, a Sexual Misconduct Disciplinary Board
may be called. This Board is responsible for evaluating the
accuser's behavior for evidence of consent. Students who report
incidents of sexual misconduct on campus and students who are accused of
sexual misconduct on campus are strongly encouraged to seek support from
one of the College's Advocates. An Advocate can provide guidance
and support through the disciplinary process.
For more information about the policies and
procedures outlined in the student handbook please visit:
Sexual Misconduct Policy and Disciplinary Board.
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If You Are Sexually Assaulted
- Try to remain calm. You are not to blame. Call someone you trust - a friend, your Resident Advisor (RA), your
Student Life Coordinator, another College staff member, or a family member. You can also call Wise Options
(1-800-326-8483, 323-8167) 24hrs. a day. If you'd like to talk with a counselor on campus call Counseling Services
(321-4258/4332). If you have an after hours emergency and need to talk to a counselor on campus talk with your RA
or the Office of Safety and Security (321-4064). To report a crime contact the Office of Safety and Security at
(*4911/321-4064) or the Williamsport Police Department (327-7545). Attempting to ignore or forget the incident will
ultimately have a negative impact on your emotional well being.
- You are encouraged to seek medical attention for your health and safety. There are Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
(SANE) on call at the Williamsport Hospital Emergency Room 24 hrs. a day. A trip to the hospital emergency room can have
two purposes: 1) to secure necessary medical attention for health concerns such as physical injuries, sexually transmitted
diseases and pregnancy; 2) to collect necessary evidence in case you decide at some time (then or later) to pursue legal
prosecution. Ideally, evidence should be collected within the first 24 hours but not later than 72-96 hours after the
assault has occurred.
- It is in your best interest not to bathe, shower, douche, change clothes, brush or comb your hair, apply medication,
apply makeup, urinate, or defecate. Any change in your appearance may destroy evidence crucial for later legal prosecution.
A SANE can perform the appropriate exam at the emergency room. If you have changed clothes, gather them and any other
evidence in a paper bag.
- You are encouraged to report the crime to the police. Regardless of whether or not you pursue action through the public
courts, you have the option of pursuing charges on campus if the individual or individuals involved are members of the campus
community. ** Any action you take can prevent others from being victimized by the same person or persons.
- You may experience a wide range of emotions and stress-related symptoms following the assault. Some symptoms may linger
for some time. Seek counseling to help you through the recovery process. Sexual assault is a traumatic experience and trained
counselors can make your recovery easier and quicker. Help is available on campus through Counseling Services (321-4258/4332)
or off campus at Wise Options (1-800-326-8483, 323-8167).
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If Someone You Know Is Sexually Assaulted
- Believe the person. Reassure the person that it is not her or his fault. Listen, be open, supportive,
and nonjudgmental. The survivor may feel a loss of control as a result of the assault. Ask how you can help
but let her or him make the necessary decisions.
- Know that after an assault, survivors may exhibit a wide range of emotions and stress-related symptoms
including calm, anger, guilt, shame, fear, and anxiety. These are all normal reactions. These feelings may
linger long past the immediate crisis.
- Encourage the person to seek medical assistance. If the survivor refuses to go to the Williamsport Hospital
Emergency Room, encourage her or him to speak with a doctor or nurse in Health Services on campus (321-4322/4052).
If the survivor agrees to go to the hospital, be sure she or he takes a change of clothing to the hospital.
- Encourage the survivor to report the crime to the Williamsport Police (*911/327-7545). Remember, however, it
is the survivor's decision to make.
- The survivor has the option of pursuing charges on campus if the individual or individuals involved are members
of the campus community, regardless of whether any action is pursued in the public courts.
- Accompany the person to the hospital, police station, Safety & Security office, counseling, etc.
- Know that people close to a survivor may also need assistance coping with their feelings and the stress the
incident has brought to their own lives. Help is available on campus through Counseling Services (321-4258/4332).
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Advocates
Advocates play a very important role on
campus. They are available to listen to, educate, support, and
guide a student who has been involved in a sexual misconduct incident.
Advocates are faculty and staff members. Students are encouraged
to choose an advocate they would feel most comfortable with.
Advocates are trained to be sensitive to issues students involved in a
sexual misconduct might be experiencing. They are knowledgeable of
the College's sexual misconduct policies and processes, including the
reporting process and the sexual misconduct disciplinary board.
Advocates do not provide counseling, medical advice, or legal advice but
are knowledgeable of resources both on and off campus that can provide
those types of services. The Advocates are listed below.
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Protect Yourself
- Think about what your sexual limits are, and be prepared to communicate them directly.
- Don't make assumptions about a person's behavior. You can't assume that a person who drinks heavily,
dresses provocatively, or goes to your room wants to have intercourse with you. If the person consents to
kissing or more intimate sexual contact, again, don't assume that she/he is willing to have intercourse.
- Pay attention to nonverbal behaviors, including the signals you may be sending. Make sure that your
body language is consistent with verbal messages.
- Remember that alcohol and other drugs can interfere with your ability to communicate effectively and deal
with potentially dangerous situations. Be responsible in your decision making with regard to alcohol and drugs.
- Learn to be assertive and speak directly. Don't worry about being polite. Expect and demand that your
rights and feelings be respected.
- Assume that "no" means NO.
- Be aware of sex-role stereotypes that prevent you from acting as you want to, such as a woman not being able
to initiate sexual activity or a man not being able to say "no".
- Avoid being in a vulnerable situation with someone you don't know well.
- Trust your instincts. If the situation doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Confront the person immediately or leave.
- Know how you are getting home from a social event. Call the campus Safety & Security office for an
escort if you friends have already left.
- In a dating situation listen carefully to the other person's statements. If you're confused about what
the person means, particularly if you feel that the person is giving a mixed message, ask for clarification.
- Do not exploit others sexually. Focus on consent and mutuality.
- Avoid participating in peer pressure that encourages "scoring" , "hooking up", and bragging about sexual
activity. Instead, use peer pressure positively to discourage exploitation of others.
- Confront exploitative and/or violent behaviors when they are occurring. As difficult as it may be, you
truly will be helping all those involved.
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Resources
Emotional Support
Counseling Services, Third Floor Wertz, 321-4258/4332
Wise Options, 815 W. Fourth St., Williamsport, 1-800-326-8483/323-8167
United Campus Ministry, Mary Lindsay Welch Honors Hall, Basin St., 321-4111/4065
Advocates
Kathy Lucas, Health Services,
Rich Hall, 321-4052
Larry Mannolini, Student Programs,
3rd Floor of Wertz Student Center, 321-4118
Jason Moran, Admissions, 321-4122
Sondra Stipcak, Health Services, Rich
Hall, 321-4322
John Whelan, Philsophy Department, Academic Center D-221, 321-4205
Medical Treatment
Williamsport Hospital and Medical Center, 777 Rural Ave., Williamsport, 321-1000
Health Services, Rich Hall, Lower Level, 321-4322/4052
Campus Security and Police Information
Safety & Security, Rich Hall, Lower Level, 321-4064 (students may dial
*4911 in emergencies)
Williamsport Police, 911/327-7545
Safety
Safety & Security provides a 24 hour escort service
for students - 321-4064
Rape Aggression Defense Systems (RAD)
On Line Resources
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