Carroll Community College

Sexual Assault Policy

In accordance with Subtitle 7 of the Education Article, Maryland Code Annotated, and the Campus Security Act (20 U.S.C. section 1092 (f.) (7), and because of its serious efforts to avoid any and all types of sexual assault, Carroll Community College has a strong policy on sexual assault which is implemented, distributed and posted each academic year in a variety of ways so as to reach all students, faculty and staff.

Carroll Community College is committed to providing a safe environment for students, faculty, and staff. The College will not tolerate sexual assault: a continuum of behaviors ranging from a touch to a completed rape which violates Federal Law, Maryland State Law, and/or the College Disciplinary Code of Conduct. The College will seek without hesitation, disciplinary proceedings (in accordance with the Faculty and/or Student Handbooks) including sanctions even as far as dismissal from Carroll Community College. This policy applies to every student, faculty, and staff member of this College.

The institution also provides a program on the prevention of sexual assault which includes, but is not limited to, a series of films, lectures/talks, and other relevant activities that deal with issues surrounding sexual assault and the prevention of the same. Resources can be found on the College campus as well as in the nearby community. Confidentiality is of critical concern and everything will be done to protect confidentiality. However, total confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. The Director of Counseling and Career Development is responsible for coordinating resources and sexual assault information.

To report a sexual assault, the person should report immediately to the Director of Counseling and Career Development who will treat the individual with every respect. If the individual requests, the Director of Counseling and Career Development will provide assistance in working with appropriate law enforcement authorities and will assist in obtaining appropriate medical attention, including transportation to the nearest designated hospital. The contact and the conversation will be held in the strictest confidence possible.
Sex offenses should be reported as promptly as possible in order to preserve evidence of the events and to better facilitate investigative procedures.

In keeping with this policy the College attempts to make every possible effort to prevent sexual assault by enforcing the following response procedures:

1. Informs a victim of sexual assault of the right to file criminal charges with the appropriate law enforcement officials as well as being offered a crisis counselor from Rape Crisis as soon as it is determined to be a crime of sexual assault. Crimes that occur on campus will be reported to the Maryland State Police and/or the CASA Unit of the States' Attorney's Office;
2. Provides prompt assistance of campus authorities, the Director of Counseling will at the request of the victim, notify the appropriate law enforcement officials and disciplinary authorities of an incident of sexual assault;
3. Informs the victim of the nearest hospital, Carroll County General, equipped with the Maryland State Police Sexual Assault evidence collection kit. The individual has the right to refuse medical care and evidence collection.
4. Provides full and prompt cooperation from campus personnel in obtaining appropriate medical attention, including transporting the victim to the nearest designated hospital;
5.  Offers counseling to a victim of sexual assault from Mental Health Services provided by the Institution, other victim service entities within the County, or nearest State designated rape crisis program; and
6. After a campus sexual assault has been reported, and upon the request of the alleged victim, makes every effort to provide transfer of the alleged victim to alternative classes, if such alternatives are available and feasible.

The College condemns the intentional filing of fraudulent accusations of sexual assault. If the complainant is a student or College employee and it is concluded that he/she intentionally filed a fraudulent report, he/she will be subject to disciplinary actions which may range from reprimand to suspension or dismissal depending on the gravity of the accusation.