Sexual Misconduct Reporting Protocol
Guilford College is committed to maintaining a community free from violence. The college will not tolerate instances of sexual assault as defined by state and/or federal law.
In a 2000 survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, researchers found that 35 of every 1,000 college women surveyed either report alleged rape or attempted rape each academic year. While few students come to college expecting to encounter sexual assault, it is a reality on campuses everywhere, and can happen to anyone. In fact, according to the Sex Offenses and Offenders Bureau of Justice, 83% of sexual assault cases happened to women under the age of 25, and 77% knew their attacker. It is also important to note that sexual assault does not only happen to women. Men are at risk too, though assaults against men are underreported.
Those reporting sexual assault experience a wide range of emotions, including fear, anger, grief, shame, and even relief that they survived the assault. In addition to these responses, the reporting student may feel confused about their own behavior, wondering if they "caused" the assault. This confusion can prevent the reporting student from accessing necessary medical and mental health care, or from reporting the assault in a timely manner. The resulting isolation is detrimental to the reporting student's ongoing well-being.
Guilford College encourages all students to make themselves aware of the college's guidelines for the reporting allegations of sexual assault, the consequences of sexual assault, and the resources available.
The Quaker heritage of Guilford College stresses spiritual receptivity, candor, integrity, compassion, tolerance, simplicity, equality, and strong concern for social justice and world peace. Thus, Guilford College expects all members of the college community to act in respectful and responsible ways toward each other.
These principles make clear that sexual misconduct is unacceptable behavior, and encourages members of the college community to create the kind of environment in which an act of sexual misconduct would be unthinkable. It is the college's commitment to thoroughly and quickly investigate reported incidents of sexual misconduct, and to preserve the confidentiality of both the reporting student and the accused student to the degree that is possible. Charges of sexual misconduct will be pursued as a violation of the Student Code of Conduct outlined in the Violations section of the Student Code of Conduct.
Jurisdiction: Although the college is not legally responsible or financially liable for the behavior of students off campus, it does reserve the right to take disciplinary action against students when their off campus behavior violates college expectations and policies or when the college's interests as an academic community are clearly involved.
Sanctions: Please refer to the section in the Student Conduct Code: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting: Individuals who report incidents of sexual misconduct should be provided with appropriate time to make a decision regarding resolution options (including whether or not he/she will pursue judicial charges). Failure by the College to observe the time limits listed in College judicial procedures shall not constitute an abridgement of the rights of the parties as long as fundamental fairness is respected and observed.
Alcohol and other drugs: Students who come forward to initiate reports concerning cases of sexual assault will not be charged with violations of the student code of conduct that are alcohol or drug related, if such substance use was involved in the incident.
False Accusations: Disciplinary action shall be taken against any person found to have falsified a claim of sexual misconduct.
Consent: The Guilford College definition of consent is shared permission for sexual activity. Students have the responsibility to ensure that all sexual interaction occurs only with mutual consent (verbal or non-verbal). If consent is given for one sexual act, it does not mean that consent is given for all future acts. Students must confirm that mutual consent is given for all sexual acts within a sexual interaction. A student can withdraw consent at any time during a sexual encounter. Non-communication is not consent. Consent can only be given when a student is able to freely make an informed choice between two options: yes and no. Consent cannot be given if someone is asleep, unconscious, incapacitated, coerced, threatened, intimidated or forced, under the age of 16, or impaired by alcohol/drugs. A previous or current sexual relationship between the parties may not be taken as an indication of consent.
Guilford College recommends the following steps to students experiencing sexual misconduct:
- Seek medical and/or counseling assistance.
On campus resources:
- Guilford College Sexual Assault Survior Advocate 336-451-6525 (24 hour)
- Counseling Services - x2143
- Student Health Center - x2194
Off campus resources:
- Family Services Rape Hotline - 273-7273 / Office - 387-6161
Family Services offers hospital accompaniment, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, shelter and court accompaniment. - Moses Cone Hospital - 832-7000
Has the most developed response system for rape. SANE nurses, rape kits and private rooms for investigations are available. - Wesley Long Hospital - 832-1000
SANE nurses, rape kits and a private emergency room for investigations are available. - Women's Hospital - 832-6500
All sexual assault cases are referred to either Moses Cone or Wesley Long because Women's does not have the resources.
- Obtain confidential information about reporting the incident by contacting the Office for Campus Life at x2297. Anonymous reporting forms are available online at https://notesdb.guilford.edu/SARFanon.nsf or from any staff, faculty or RA on campus. Submit form online or return the paper form to the Office for Campus Life.
***In emergency situations please call Public Safety at x2911
Protocol for Reporting Student and Accused Student
Reporting Student
- S/he will be encouraged to report to college officials and s/he should be treated with respect by
Guilford College officials. - S/he will be assisted in contacting a Guilford College Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate or Victim Advocates through Family Services of the Triad. An Advocate will be available for support up to and including during a judicial hearing.
- S/he will be informed of the methods of resolution from which s/he can choose including mediation, a structured meeting, or judicial hearing.
- S/he will be informed of the outcome and sanction of any disciplinary hearing resulting from their complaint and to appeal the outcome or sanction if the criteria for grounds of an appeal are met.
- S/he will be informed of their options to notify proper law enforcement authorities including local police.
- S/he will be notified of available counseling, mental health, or student services for reporting students of sexual misconduct, both on campus and in the community.
- S/he will be notified of and made aware of options for, and provided assistance in changing academic and living situations after an alleged sexual assault, if so requested by the reporting student and if such changes are reasonably available.
- The irrelevant prior sexual history of a reporting student should not be admitted in a campus hearing.
Accused Student
- S/he should be treated with respect by Guilford College officials.
- The accused in a sexual misconduct case may have a judicial advocate to accompany and assist him or her in the campus judicial process.
- S/he will be informed of her/his right to choose an administrative or judicial board hearing.
- S/he will be notified as to the outcome and sanction of the hearing.
- S/he may appeal the outcome of his or her case if the grounds for an appeal are met.
- S/he will have access to campus resources for medical, counseling, and other advisory services.
- The irrelevant prior sexual history of the accused will not be admitted in a campus hearing.