Rights and Options

The following information provides a short summary of your rights and options after filing a complaint.

General Information

If you are a victim of sexual violence/assault, domestic violence, or dating violence:

• Do not blame yourself.  These crimes are never the victim's fault.
• Recommend to go immediately to the emergency room of a local hospital and contact local law enforcement, in addition to making a prompt complaint under this policy.
• Do everything possible to preserve evidence by making certain that the crime scene is not disturbed. 
• Preservation of evidence may be necessary for proof of the crime or in obtaining a protection order.
• Should not bathe, urinate, douche, brush teeth, or drink liquids until after you are examined and, if necessary, a rape examination is completed.
• Clothes should not be changed.
• Write down as much as you can remember about the circumstances, including description of assailant. 
• Save any electronic communications with the assailant.

Once you have made a complaint, you have several options, including, but not limited to:

• Contacting parents or a relative
• Seeking legal advice
• Seeking personal counseling (always recommended)
• Pursing legal action against the perpetrator
• Pursing disciplinary action through the college
• Requesting that no further action be taken
• Requesting further information about the College's policy and procedures for addressing this type of conduct
• Requesting further information about available resources

If requested, the Title IX Coordinator will assist you in contacting campus police or local law enforcement regarding the incident. You may decline to notify such authorities.

If you have obtained a temporary restraining order or other no contact order against the alleged perpetrator from a criminal, civil, or tribal court, please provide such information to the Title IX Coordinators or one of the Deputy Coordinators.  The College will take all reasonable and legal action to implement the order.

Institutional Procedures

Methodist College's Sexual Harassment Policy and Grievance Procedures: (policy A-15)

• Will provide a prompt, fair, and impartial resolution of your complaint.
• Is carried out by College officials who have received training on these issues and how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that promotes safety and accountability.
• Provides you and the accused the right to have an advisor accompany you to all aspects of the investigation and resolution process. The advisor may not advocate like an attorney would in court.
• Ensures that both you and the accused will be notified simultaneously in writing of the outcome of all stages of the process, including any appeals.
• Prohibits retaliation by the accused or anyone else against you for making a complaint.

Possible Sanctions or Protective Measures

• Supportive Measures:  At any time during the investigation, the Title IX Coordinator may impose interim remedies or protections for the parties or witnesses.  These may include separating the parties, placing limitations on contact between the parties, suspension, or making alternative living, class-placement, or workplace arrangements.
• Sanctions:  If there is a finding that a violation has occurred, sanctions may include counseling or training, separation of the parties, and/or discipline of the respondent, including written reprimand, suspension, demotion, termination, or expulsion.

Confidentiality

The College will make reasonable and appropriate efforts to preserve an individual's privacy and protect the confidentiality of information when investigating and resolving a complaint. While the College cannot guarantee confidentiality, the College will not disclose the identity of the complainant or respondent, except as necessary to resolve the complaint or to implement supportive measures or when provided by State or federal law. 

Pending final outcome of an investigation, you may be allowed to change your academic, living, transportation, work situation or other protective measure (such as no contact order) if options to do so are reasonably available.  This may occur regardless of whether you choose to make a complaint to campus police or local law enforcement.