Reporting

Reports of sexual misconduct may be made by:

• An individual who has experienced sexual harassment/misconduct
• Anyone who receives a report from someone who experienced sexual harassment/misconduct
• Anyone who witnesses or otherwise has information that sexual harassment/misconduct may have occurred

The individual or department who wishes to make the report can do so by contacting the Title IX Coordinator/Deputy Coordinators or the Office of Public Safety. Reports can be taken over the phone, via email, in person, or by using the online reporting form. Reports submitted to the Office of Public Safety will be followed up on by the Title IX Coordinator/Deputy Coordinator. If you submit anonymously via the online form, Providence College will not be able to respond directly to you but will assess the information submitted and consider response options.

Once a report is received, the Title IX Coordinator works to ensure that the individual feels safe and supported, and has access to all of the available resources and support structures the College offers.

Amnesty

Upon receipt of a report of violation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy, the College may offer amnesty to complainants, respondents, reporting parties, and/or witnesses who disclose their own use or ingestion of alcohol or other drugs in violation of the Code of Conduct or other applicable College policy, unless the College determines there is malicious intent.

While amnesty may safeguard the individual from disciplinary action related to the use or ingestion of alcohol or other drugs, it does not exempt the College from taking appropriate action to address the conduct and/or mitigate future violations. More information can be found in the Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Retaliation

Retaliatory acts, or attempts to retaliate, against anyone who has reported in good faith sexual misconduct or relationship violence, who has participated (or is expected to participate) in any manner in an investigation or proceeding pursuant to the Sexual Misconduct Policy, or who otherwise supports the report, are prohibited.  Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, intimidation, verbal or physical threats, harassment, coercion, or other adverse action.  When evidence of retaliatory behavior exists, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

Supportive Measures

Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the complaining party or the responding party before or after the filing of a formal complaint or when no formal complaint has been filed. Supportive measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the College’s education program or activity without unreasonably burdening the other party, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties or the College’s educational environment, or deter sexual harassment.

• Supportive measures for students may include medical and mental health services and referrals, academic accommodations, modifications of work or class schedules, campus escort services, mutual restrictions on contact between the parties, changes in work or housing locations, leaves of absence (with a referral to the Office of Financial Aid to address any impact on federal aid), increased security and monitoring of certain areas of campus, and other similar measures.
• Supportive measures for employees may include measures to support work effectiveness or health. These measures may involve reasonable workplace adjustments and/or referral to the Employee Assistance Program.

A disclosure of sexual harassment or discrimination by a student for the purpose of seeking supportive measures can be made to a confidential resource (e.g., Personal Counseling Center, Student Health Center, Chaplain, Confidential Advocate), or to the Title IX Coordinator/Deputy Coordinator. The reporter does not have to file any type of complaint to speak with the Title IX Coordinator/Deputy Coordinator about the provision of supportive measures. The College will maintain the privacy of any supportive measures to the extent practicable. More information about Supportive Measures can be found in the Sexual Misconduct Policy.

The decision to file a criminal complaint is a deeply personal choice. Students and employees often make this decision based on the circumstances surrounding the incident and the circumstances in their life at the time of the incident. Some students and employees discover that participating in a proceeding to hold the accused accountable helps them to regain some measure of control lost by virtue of the assault, and to protect themselves and others from future harm. Students and employees do not need to file a criminal complaint in order to initiate disciplinary proceedings with the College, and the College may find an accused person responsible for violating the Sexual Misconduct Policy regardless of the status or outcome of criminal proceedings, if any.

There are trained professionals on-campus and off-campus, who can explain the criminal proceedings and support students and employees  through the process. As part of the Title IX Intake Meeting, students and employees will be given the opportunity to speak with a Law Enforcement Advocate. The Office of Public Safety and/or the Confidential Advocate will assist anyone wishing to file a criminal complaint. Students and employees do not need to file a criminal complaint in order to initiate disciplinary proceedings with the College, and the College may find an accused person responsible for violating the Sexual Misconduct Policy regardless of the status or outcome of criminal proceedings, if any.

About Law Enforcement Advocates

The Providence Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is charged with thoroughly investigating complaints of Sexual Assault. In addition to seven (7) detectives, the Special Victims Unit includes two (2) full time Law Enforcement Advocates (LEAs).

The LEA Program is a collaborative effort between Day One – The Sexual Assault & Trauma Resource Center, local Domestic Violence agencies, and the Police Department.  LEAs provide immediate services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence who have filed a police report and/or are interested in filing a report. The advocate provides support when a victim needs to seek medical attention, educates the victim about community based resources, and offers emotional support.

Students and employees may reach out to the LEAs at any time, but all students and employees filing a report with the Title IX Coordinator will be given the opportunity to speak with a Law Enforcement Advocate during the Title IX Intake Meeting.

Providence Police Department:

• Emergency: 911
• General: (401) 272-3121

Special Victims Unit:

• General: (401) 243-6331
• Law Enforcement Advocate: (401) 243-6338