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Title IX Complaint Procedures

Steps to take if you believe you have been involved in Sex Discrimination or Sex-Based Harassment

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency/need immediate assistance, please call 911, the King County Crisis Connections at 866.427.4747, and/or text the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. There is also the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline- Hours: Available 24 hours.

Follow these steps if you believe you may have been informed of Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment: 

College employees, except those statutorily barred from doing so, have a duty to immediately report possible Title IX violations to the Title IX/EEO coordinator. 

  • Call 911 in the case of an emergency.
  • Make sure the complainant is safe (this is the person who may have experienced a Title IX Violation). 
  • Alert the Title IX/EEO coordinator, and File a complaint as soon as possible. Anyone can make a Title IX report! (Printed copies of the complaint form and investigation procedures are also kept in the HR and Student Services Office.)

Title IX Policy and Procedures:

What happens when I report to the Title IX Coordinator?

The Title IX Coordinator is a school official who has been specifically trained to process Title IX Complaints and conduct and/or oversee formal investigations and informal resolution processes under the Title IX Investigation Procedure. 

The Title IX/EEO Coordinator:

  1. Accepts, evaluates, and processes all Sex Discrimination and Sex-based Harassment Complaints, reports, or referrals.

  2. Conduct an intake meeting with the Complainant and, at that time, notify the Complainant, or the individual who reported the conduct if the complainant is unknown, of the College’s Sex Discrimination investigation and disciplinary procedures, as well as the informal resolution process if appropriate and available.  After providing this information, the Title IX Coordinator will ascertain whether the Complainant would like the College to proceed with an investigation of the Sex Discrimination Complaint.

  3. Initiates a Complaint subject to the procedure and factors set forth in procedure #283.

  4. If the Party is a student employee, and the allegations involve Sex-based Harassment, the Title IX Coordinator will make a fact-specific inquiry into whether the Party’s primary relationship with the College is to receive an education and whether the alleged Sex-based Harassment occurred while the Party was performing employment-related work and, and based on this inquiry, determine whether the Party should be treated as a student or an employee under this investigation procedure and related disciplinary procedures. 

  5. Addresses and resolves, if possible, questions regarding confidentiality raised by Parties and witnesses.

  6. Determines whether a Complaint should be dismissed during the investigation phase. If so, it notifies the Complainant or the Parties (if Respondent has been notified of the Complaint) of the reasons for the dismissal and provides the Complainant or Parties with information about the procedure for filing an appeal of the dismissal.

  7. Maintains accurate records of all Complaints, reports, and referrals.

  8. Retains investigation files, Complaints, reports, and referrals in compliance with applicable records retention periods or federal or state law, whichever is longer.

  9. Either conducts an impartial investigation of a Complaint or assigns the investigation to an impartial investigator and oversees the investigation.

  10. Engages in an interactive process with both Parties to identify and provide Supportive Measures that ensure, during the investigation and disciplinary processes, the Parties have equitable access to education programs and activities and are protected from further discrimination or retaliation. Makes revisions to Supportive Measures as circumstances may require.

  11. Upon completion of an investigation, The Title IX Coordinator issues or oversees the issuance of a final investigation report to the parties and to the appropriate disciplinary authority in compliance with this Investigation Procedure.

  12. Recommends non-disciplinary corrective measures to stop, remediate, and/or prevent the recurrence of discriminatory conduct to College disciplinary authorities and administrators.

What supportive measures may I be offered?

Supportive means reasonably available, individualized, and appropriate, non-punitive and non-disciplinary measures offered by the College to the Complainant or Respondent without unreasonably burdening either Party and without fee or charge for purposes. 

They may include, but are not limited to:

a. Restoring or preserving that Party’s access to the College’s educational Program or Activity, including measures that are designed to protect the safety of the parties or the College’s educational environment; or
b. Providing support during the College’s Investigation and Disciplinary Procedures, or during any informal resolution process.
c. Supportive Measures may include, but are not limited to: counseling; extensions of deadlines and other course-related adjustments; campus escort services; increased security and monitoring of certain areas of campus; restriction on contact applied to one or more Parties; leave of absence; change in class, college employment, college housing, or extracurricular or any other activity, regardless of whether there is or is not a comparable alternative; and training and education programs related to Sex-based Harassment.

When making a report, please be aware of confidentiality

College employees, except those statutorily barred from doing so, have a duty to immediately report possible Title IX violations to the Title IX/EEO coordinator. 

HR District Title IX Email| TitleIX.District@seattlecolleges.edu 

If you have confidentiality concerns, the Title IX Coordinator can discuss your options with you. The district will attempt to protect your privacy to the fullest possible extent, consistent with our legal obligations to comply with federal and state laws and to protect our students and community. More information about confidentiality is found in Procedure 283.  Please direct questions about protecting your privacy to the Title IX/EEO coordinator.

Title IX Complaint/Grievance Procedure

For a complete explanation of the Title IX grievance process, refer to Procedure 283.

Reportable Sexual Misconduct & Title IX Offenses, Including, but not Limited to:

  • Sex-based harassment
  • Sex discrimination 
  • Unwelcome sexual conduct
  • Quid Pro Quo Harassment 
  • Unwelcome sexual advances or propositions that interfere with a student's education or person's employment
  • Sexual exploitation
  • Using electronic devices or technology (e.g., cell phone, camera, email, Internet sites or social networks) to record or transmit nudity or sexual acts without a person's knowledge and/or permission 
  • Sexual violence/sexual assault
  • Gender-based discrimination 
  • Inducing incapacitation for the purpose of sexual exploitation
  • Threatening to sexually harm someone
  • Committing violence within a relationship (domestic violence or intimate partner violence)
  • Excessive unwanted and persistent attention on a regular basis, either with electronic devices or in person or other means (stalking)
  • Intentionally observing nudity or sexual acts of another person without the person's knowledge or permission (voyeurism)
  • Ignoring a sexual boundary that has been communicated
  • Coercing or intimidating someone into sexual behavior
  • Sexual assault, including unwanted penetration of an orifice (anal, vaginal, oral) with the penis, finger or objects 
  • Unwanted touching and/or fondling of the genitals, buttocks, or breasts that is intentional or other unwanted touching or groping
  • Forcing/coercing someone to touch you or someone else in a sexual manner
  • Initiating sexual activity with a person who is incapacitated and unable to provide consent due to alcohol and/or drug consumption or other conditions

I Experienced Harassment and/or Discrimination, and I Haven’t Decided if I Want to Report this... 

You are never required to make a report. You also don’t have to make a report right away; you can always choose to do that at another time. Here are some things you can do if you might want to make a report later:

  • Go to the Harborview Medical Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress they have 24-hour access to medical professionals trained in sexual assault. Contact 206-521-1800
  • Write down what you remember about the assault after at least one night of sleep; sometimes, it helps to ask a trusted person to write down what you say

What to do if...
 

If you believe you are a victim or may have witnessed any form of harassment or discrimination, you are encouraged to:

All college employees, excluding Confidential Employees, are Mandatory Reporters.  Mandatory Reporters are required to report conduct that could reasonably constitute Sex Discrimination to the Title IX Coordinator.

First, Ensure Everyone's Safety

Safety is the district’s top priority. Employees with any concerns about their immediate safety need to call 911 and then the campus safety office. If a crime may have occurred, report that crime to the police. Police officers can ensure your immediate safety and locate and preserve evidence.

If Needed, Contact Campus Security 

North Seattle College: CC 1252, 206.934.3636

Seattle Central College: BE 1108, 206.934.5442

Seigal Center: BE 1108, 206.934.5442

Wood Technology Center: 206.934.5442

Health Education Center: 206-255-3974 / 206.934.5442. Security officers usually sit at a table just inside the main entrance on the south side of the Pacific Tower Building.

Seattle Maritime Academy: 206.934.5442

South Seattle College: RSB62A, 206.934.5157

Georgetown Apprenticeship and Education Center: C102, 206.354.6185

As Soon as Possible

  • Alert the Title IX/EEO Coordinator, and File a complaint  
  • Anyone can make a Title IX report! (Printed copies of the complaint form and investigation procedures are also kept in the HR and Student Services Office.)

Confidentiality

When you file a complaint with Seattle Colleges, you may request confidentiality. Although Seattle District College will attempt to honor the impacted party’s requests for confidentiality, it cannot guarantee complete confidentiality. The Title IX / EEO Coordinator will determine how to handle confidentiality requests.

More information about confidentiality is found in Procedure 282. 

Please direct questions about protecting your privacy to the Title IX/EEO Coordinator.

Investigations - What to Expect 

When you file a Title IX complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will meet with you to move forward with an investigation. The intent of this meeting is to empower our employees to determine the next steps. In some situations, the seriousness of the complaint (taking into account such factors as violence and the age of the alleged victim) may require the district to investigate. We will take all legal and logistical steps possible to maintain your confidentiality. Our process for conducting an investigation is outlined in Procedure 282.

Retaliation is Prohibited

Retaliation means intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any person by the College, a student, or an employee or other person authorized by the College to provide aid, benefit, or service under the Colleges education program or activity, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX, or because the person has reported information, made a Complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in a Sex Discrimination investigation, proceeding, or hearing, including in an informal resolution process, in these investigation procedures, and any disciplinary proceeding for Sex Discrimination. 

The district expressly prohibits any retaliation against an employee who has filed a discrimination or harassment complaint. If you believe you may be being retaliated against, please inform the Title IX Coordinator.

Available Resources

You are encouraged to seek resources immediately. 

  • Seattle Colleges has resources available at each campus:

    • North:  Counseling: 206-934-3676 and/or Gender Equity Resource Center: 206-934-3719

    • Central: Counseling: 206-934-5407

    • South: Counseling: 206-934-6409

  • King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) 24-hour resource line: 888.99VOICE or 888.998.6423 KCSARC is a victim-advocacy organization that provides critical support, tools, and direct services to children, teens, women, and men who are victims of sexual assault. KCSARC works with clients of all ages and from all backgrounds. KCSARC advocates will answer your call and provide crisis intervention, information and referrals, and ongoing support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  • Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress (206.744.1600).
    The center provides services to help people impacted by sexual assault and other traumatic events.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Seattle Colleges employees can access Washington state’s Employee Assistance Program, which helps employees and their family members resolve personal or work-related problems. Using your EAP does not cost you anything. For more information, call the Employee Assistance Program at 877.313.4455 or connect with them at Employee Assistance Program | Department of Enterprise Services (DES) (wa.gov)

Unless you are a Confidential Employee, if you believe a student is about to tell you about an incident of sexual harassment or discrimination, explain your obligation to report the incident before the student discloses their complaint. If this is not possible, do it soon after the disclosure. If the student does not wish to disclose the incident or provide further details to you, refer the student to the on‐campus and off‐campus resources.

After disclosing your obligation as a mandatory reporter to the student and they continue to share with you an incident in which they may have been bullied, discriminated against, or harassed, you are required to report that incident to the Title IX/EEO Coordinator immediately.

If the incident involves the Title IX coordinator, the report should be made to the president or chancellor’s office for referral to an alternate designee.

If the student has confidentiality concerns, the Title IX/EEO Coordinator can discuss the student's options with them. The Title IX/EEO Coordinator will attempt to protect their privacy to the fullest possible extent, consistent with our legal obligations to comply with federal and state laws and to protect our students and community. More information about confidentiality is found Procedure 283.

Steps to take after student disclosure:

  1. Ensure their safety
  2. Care for the student
  3. Connect them with your college's resources
  4. Reach out to the Title IX/EEO Coordinator

Step 1: Care for the student

First, ensure the student is safe. Seattle Colleges' overriding concern is student safety. Provide the student with nonjudgmental listening and support. If there is an immediate danger, call the police (911) and then call Campus Security.

Some thoughts and guidelines for caring for the student:

  • One of the most effective and important ways to provide support is to listen without judging or blaming. Remember that no matter what the circumstances, no one deserves to be subjected to harassment or discrimination.
  • Allow the student to talk about their experience. Be aware that the student may not be able to clearly articulate what happened; be careful not to define the experience for the student.
  • Follow the student’s lead. Do not take control of the situation or try to “fix” it. Experiencing sexual misconduct can cause a person to feel a loss of control; let the student make their own decisions and then support those decisions. Also, understand that everyone responds uniquely to sexual misconduct.
  • Some common reactions may include shock, fear, embarrassment, denial, guilt, anger, depression, and/or feeling overwhelmed. Be a support person and help the student find support.

Step 2: Connect the student with resources

Seattle Colleges has resources available at each campus:

  • North: Counseling: 206-934-3676 and/or Gender Equity Resource Center: 206-934-3719
  • Central: Counseling: 206-934-5407
  • South: Counseling: 206-934-6409

There are also off-campus support services. These include:

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) 24-hour resource line: 888.99VOICE or 888.998.6423 
KCSARC is a victim-advocacy organization that provides critical support, tools, and direct services to children, teens, women, and men who are victims of sexual assault. KCSARC works with clients of all ages and from all backgrounds. KCSARC advocates will answer your call and provide crisis intervention, information and referrals, and ongoing support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress (206.744.1600) 
The center provides services to help people impacted by sexual assault and other traumatic events.

Step 3: Contact the Title IX/EEO Coordinator

At the earliest possible time (and no later than 24 hours after you receive information that a student has experienced sexual misconduct), you must report it to the Title IX/EEO Coordinator. It’s important to include, to the extent possible, all relevant details about the incident(s) disclosed by the student. This includes:

  • The names of the student(s), the accused, and any witnesses.
  • Any other relevant facts, including the date, time, and specific location of the incident
  • Send the complaint to the Title IX/EEO Coordinator.

Once you have reported an incident to the Title IX coordinator, you do not need to take further action. Understand, however, that you may be contacted for follow-up information as the Title IX/EEO Coordinator responds to the report.

If an employee tells you about or you become aware of an incident of sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, or bullying, you should report it to the Title IX/EEO Coordinator within 24 hours.

If the incident involves the Title IX coordinator, the report should be made to the president or chancellor’s office for referral to an alternate designee.

Employees believing that they may be victims of any form of sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, or bullying should:

Steps to take after employee disclosure:

  1. Ensure their safety.
  2. Care for the employee or people other than an employee
  3. Connect them with your college's resources
  4. Reach out to the Title IX/EEO Coordinator
  5. Encourage the employee to File a complaint.

Confidentiality

When you file a complaint with Seattle Colleges, you may request confidentiality. The district will attempt to protect your privacy to the fullest possible extent, consistent with our legal obligations to comply with federal and state laws and to protect our students and community. More information about confidentiality is found in Procedure 282. Please direct questions about protecting your privacy to the Title IX/EEO Coordinator.