Confidentiality and Creating a Report
The Federal Campus Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights
- Survivors shall be notified of their options to notify law enforcement.
- Accuser and accused must have the same opportunity to have others present.
- Both parties shall be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary proceeding.
- Survivors shall be notified of counseling services.
- Survivors shall be notified of options for changing academic and living situations.
Confidentiality & Campus Safety Authorities
Every survivor or victim has the right to choose the actions they want to take after an assault. Here at RIC, you can choose from among many different types of actions to find the right choices for YOU. It is important to be informed about the different types of resources and to understand their responsibilities for reporting incidents of sexual violence.
Two pieces of legislation, the Clery Act and Title IX, help protect our college community. They do so by guaranteeing the rights of students who may be facing violence or discrimination, as well as regulating the responsibilities RIC has to its students.
While Title IX protects against a multitude of discriminatory actions and behaviors, The Clery Act was created to insure the safety of college campuses. Colleges are required to report and address any acts of violence that happen on campus. Here at RIC, we have taken steps to follow both Title IX and the Clery Act by having resources that are confidential, privileged, and mandatory reporters.
Levels of Confidentiality
Confidential
On campus, both the Counseling Center and Health Services are able to support you after an assault while remaining completely confidential. Please note they are not available around the clock. Should you need emergency support outside of their hours and do not wish to create an on-campus report, please consider contacting the 24-hour helpline offered through Day One’s Sexual Assault and Trauma Center at 1-800-494-8100, or a local hospital, such as Woman & Infants Hospital in Providence.
Campus Security Officers
Campus Police is a mandatory reporter, and is thus required to report any and all incidences of Sexual Assault to the Title IX Coordinator. This report must include names of all parties involved, the location, and the time of the assault. However, this information, including the identity of the survivor, will be protected with the utmost respect for privacy and rights. This action will not automatically create a criminal report with outside law enforcement or a student conduct hearing. The decision to take either of those steps is still up to the student.
Campus Security Authorities
According to the Clery Act, there are individuals on college campuses who hold a responsibility to report incidents that may violate policies protecting the safety of the college community. Those individuals are termed Campus Safety Authorities, and are required to report to the Title IX Coordinator. (Section will be completed pending clarification on policies) Needs a little information somewhere here to identify the Clery Act
Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators
The Title IX Coordinator insures that the college is in compliance with its obligations under Title IX which prohibits sex discrimination in all the operations of this College, as well as retaliation, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX. The Title IX coordinator oversees the College’s response to reports and complaints that involve possible sex discrimination to monitor outcomes, identify and address any patterns, and assess effects on the campus climate, so the College can address issues that affect the wider school community. Should you choose to create a report, the Title IX coordinator will work to support you along with the Title IX deputy coordinators.
The deputy coordinators include the Vice-President of Student Affairs, the Associate Dean of Students, the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Director of Athletics, and the Director of Security and Safety/the Chief of Campus Police. Along with the coordinator, they make up the Title IX Committee.
Creating a Report
If you create a report, RIC is able to support you and ensure your safety and you can help do the same for the entire community. You may create a report of sexualized violence/a sexual assault twenty-four hours a day by contacting Campus Police at extension 8201, or calling 401-456-8201 from a personal/off-campus phone.
If you are a student living in a Residence Hall, Campus Police recommends reaching out to a Resident Assistant to advise them of the incident before contacting Campus Police as an RA can providence additional support. However, if you would prefer not to, it is not required.
After a report of a Sexual Assault has been made to Campus Police, they are required by the Clery Act to report it, including names of the victim/survivor and the perpetrator, the date of the assault, and the location, as well as any other pertinent information, to the Title IX Coordinator.
