Victim's Rights
Sexual Violence – Complainant's Rights and Information Advisory
What is Sexual Violence?
Sexual violence is prohibited under Middlesex Community College's Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination and Title IX Plan. Sexual violence includes a range of prohibited conduct, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and other forms of Sex-Based Harassment and Title IX Sexual Harassment, as defined by applicable law and College policy.
Sexual violence refers to physical sexual acts or other prohibited conduct that occur without an individual's consent or where an individual is unable to provide consent. Sexual violence may be committed by students, employees, or third parties and is prohibited by federal law, state law, and College policy. The College is committed to maintaining an educational and working environment free from sexual violence and providing prompt and equitable responses to reports of prohibited conduct.
Reporting Complaints of Sexual Violence
An individual who experiences sexual violence may report the incident to the College and may choose whether to pursue a Formal Complaint where applicable. The procedures for reporting and addressing complaints are outlined in the College's Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination and Title IX Plan. For additional information or assistance, please contact the College's Title IX Coordinator.
If the Title IX Coordinator is the subject of a complaint, the President shall designate another appropriate College official to administer the applicable complaint procedures. An individual may also choose to file a criminal complaint, in which case the Title IX Coordinator and/or Public Safety can assist with that process. Reporting an incident to the Title IX Coordinator or Public Safety does not obligate an individual to pursue criminal charges.
College's Investigation
Upon receiving notice of allegations of sexual violence, the College will respond promptly and take appropriate action consistent with the Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination and Title IX Plan. Depending upon the nature of the allegations, the matter may proceed through the Discrimination Complaint Process, the Title IX Sexual Harassment Formal Complaint Process, or another applicable College process.
The College will provide information regarding available supportive measures and will keep parties reasonably informed regarding the status of an investigation consistent with applicable law and College policy. Individuals found responsible for violating College policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including training, counseling, warning, suspension, expulsion, termination of employment, and/or other appropriate corrective action, in addition to any applicable criminal penalties.
Victim Identification
Personally identifiable information about a victim will be treated as confidential and only shared with persons with a specific need to know and/or who are investigating and/or adjudicating the complaint, delivering resources or support services to the victim, or as public safety requires. The College does not publish the names or other identifiable information of victims in the campus police department's Daily Crime Log, in any Timely Warnings issued, or online. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a victim may request that no directory information maintained by the College be released absent their prior written consent.Prohibition on Retaliation
The College prohibits retaliation against any person who presents a formal or informal complaint of sexual violence or who testifies or offers evidence connected with a complaint. Retaliation is prohibited under the College's Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination and Title IX Plan and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion or termination from the College.
Supportive Measures
Title IX requires the College to take non-disciplinary/non-punitive reasonable steps to preserve or restore equal access to its education programs and activities and protect individuals from any Title IX Sexual Harassment or other Prohibited Conduct, including offering supportive measures before the final outcome of an investigation, irrespective of whether the complainant ever chooses to file a Formal Complaint. Such 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 all forms of sexual harassment. The College shall take these steps promptly once it has notice of an allegation of Title IX Sexual Harassment, including sexual violence.
Examples of supportive measures include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Counseling
- Extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments (for example: changing class schedule, withdrawal without penalty, providing student services such as tutoring, alternate class completion options)
- Modifications of work schedules or job assignments
- Campus escort services
- Mutual restrictions on contact between the parties
- Changes in work or housing locations (if applicable)
- Leaves of absence, increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus; and
- Other similar measures.
The specific supportive measures implemented and the process for implementing those measures will vary depending on the facts of each case. The College will consider a number of factors in determining what supportive measures to take, including, for example, the specific needs expressed by either party; the severity or pervasiveness of the allegations; any continuing effects on either party; whether the parties share the same classes, dining hall schedule, transportation, or job location; and whether other judicial measures have been taken to protect either/both parties (e.g., civil protection orders).
In general, when taking supportive measures, the College shall minimize the burden on either party. The College must maintain as confidential any supportive measures provided to either party, to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality would not impair the ability of the College to provide the supportive measures.
Protections for Victims of Sexual Violence
A person subjected to sexual violence shall:
- Be provided with a copy of this Sexual Violence – Complainant's Rights and Information Advisory, which shall include information concerning counseling, health, and mental health services, victim advocacy and support, law enforcement assistance, and other services available on and off campus;
- Have the right to pursue, or not pursue, assistance from campus administration officials or campus law enforcement;
- Not be discouraged by College officials from reporting an incident to both on-campus and off-campus authorities;
- Be provided assistance in contacting local law enforcement if requested and have the full and prompt assistance and cooperation of campus personnel should a civil and/or criminal complaint be pursued;
- Be free from any suggestion that they somehow contributed to or had a shared responsibility in the violent act;
- Receive the same level of support at any proceeding before College officials as is permitted to the respondent, including the presence of an advisor during any disciplinary proceeding and the right to be notified in a timely manner of the outcome of such proceedings and any appeal rights available;
- Receive full and prompt cooperation from College personnel in obtaining and securing evidence (including medical evidence) necessary for any potential criminal proceedings;
- Have access to existing College counseling and medical professionals, victim support services, and to obtain referrals to off-campus counseling and support services if desired;
- Be permitted to attend classes, work, and participate in College activities free from unwanted contact or proximity to the respondent insofar as the College is permitted and able;
- Be permitted to request changes to an academic schedule if such changes are reasonably available; and
- Be informed of any no-contact or no-trespass orders issued to the respondent by the College and the College's commitment to honor any court-issued restraining or protective orders, to the extent permitted by law.
Recommended Procedures for a Victim of Sexual Violence
For a person subjected to an act of sexual violence, there can be time-sensitive decisions to make about sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and collecting physical evidence in the event of prosecution. Individuals who have been victims of sexual violence are advised as follows:
- Protect Yourself and Get Medical Attention – A victim should be advised to go to a safe place as soon as possible and seek medical attention immediately. Injuries and exposure to disease may not be immediately apparent. A medical examination can provide necessary treatment and collect important evidence. It is recommended that a physical exam be conducted within 72 hours of the violence. Submitting to a physical exam does not mean that a victim is required to press charges. This action merely preserves the option to do so. Designated College personnel can assist in providing transportation to the hospital.
- Preserve Evidence – It is important to preserve all physical evidence following an act of sexual violence. Physical evidence may be necessary in the event criminal prosecution is pursued. If possible, a victim should be advised not to wash, eat, drink, douche, clean, use the bathroom, or change clothes. If clothes are changed, all clothes that were worn at the time of the incident should not be cleaned and should be placed into an unused or a clean paper bag.
- Health and Support Services – Various health and support services are available on and off campus for students and employees who have experienced sexual violence. For information about such services, including counseling, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.
On-campus Resources
Title IX Coordinator
Pamela Medina, Assistant Director of Human Resources, Title IX Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Officer, ADA/504 Coordinator
Title IX Deputies
Leonard Russ, Dean of Students
Marielle Abou-Mitri, Director of Human Resources
Confidential Resource Providers
Jonathan Crockett, Coordinator of Essential Needs and Community Resources
Amy Mahoney, Wellness Counselor
Elisa Jacome, Wellness Counselor
Public Safety
Daniel Martin, Director of Safety and Campus Operations
Responsible Employees:
Responsible Employees are College employees who have an obligation to promptly report conduct that may constitute Title IX Sexual Harassment to the Title IX Coordinator and other Prohibited Conduct to the Equal Opportunity Officer, consistent with the College's Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination and Title IX Plan. Responsible Employees must report all relevant details known to them, including the identity of the respondent (if known), the identity of the individual who experienced the conduct, the identities of others involved, and relevant facts such as the date, time, and location of the incident.Responsible Employees may include, but are not limited to:
- Trustees
- College Leadership and Administrators
- Deans
- Directors
- Managers and Supervisors
- Program Coordinators
- Human Resources Personnel
- Student Affairs Personnel
- Club and Organization Advisors
- Coaches and Athletic Staff
- Public Safety Personnel
Confidential Resource Providers are not Responsible Employees and, except in limited circumstances required by law, are generally not required to share information reported to them with the College.
Rape Crisis Center Contact Information
The following organizations provide free and confidential services to survivors of sexual violence, including 24-hour crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, accompaniment to hospitals and police stations, court advocacy, and support services. Contact information may be subject to change. Current information is available through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Rape Crisis Center directory.
National Resource
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
24-Hour Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
Northeastern Massachusetts
The Center for Hope and Healing (Lowell)
Hotline: 800-542-5212
Office: 978-452-7721
TTY: 978-452-8723
YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts (Lawrence)
Hotline: 877-509-9922
Office: 978-682-3039 ext. 1023
TTY: 978-686-8840
YWCA North Shore Rape Crisis Center (Lynn)
Hotline: 800-922-8772
Office: 781-477-2313
Greater Boston Area
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) (Cambridge)
Hotline: 800-841-8371
Office: 617-492-8306
TTY: 617-492-6434
MetroWest / Central Massachusetts
Voices Against Violence (Framingham)
Hotline: 800-593-1125
Office: 508-820-0834
TTY: 508-626-8686
Wayside Trauma Intervention Services / Valley Rape Crisis Program (Milford)
Hotline: 800-511-5070
Office: 508-478-6888
TTY: 508-478-4205
Pathways for Change (Worcester)
Additional locations: Fitchburg, Southbridge, North Brookfield
Hotline: 800-870-5905
Office: 508-852-7600
TTY: 888-887-7130
Southeastern Massachusetts
New Hope (Attleboro)
Hotline: 800-323-4673
Office: 508-226-4015
TTY: 508-323-4673
A New Day, a Program of Health Imperatives (Brockton)
Hotline: 508-588-8255
Office: 508-580-3964
TTY: 508-894-2869
Independence House (Hyannis)
Hotline: 800-439-6507
Office: 508-771-6507
TTY: 508-771-6782
A Safe Place (Nantucket)
Hotline: 508-228-2111
Office: 508-228-0561
TTY: 508-228-7095
The Women's Center (New Bedford)
Additional location: Fall River
Hotline: 508-996-6636
Office: 508-996-3343
TTY: 508-996-1177
Martha's Vineyard Community Services – CONNECT to End Violence (Vineyard Haven)
Hotline: 508-696-7233
Office: 774-549-9667
TTY: 774-549-9659
Western Massachusetts
Center for Women and Community (UMass Amherst)
Hotline: 413-545-0800
Office: 413-545-0883
TTY: 413-577-0940
NELCWIT (Greenfield)
Hotline: 413-772-0806
Office: 413-772-0871
TTY: 413-772-0815
Elizabeth Freeman Center (Pittsfield)
Hotline: 866-401-2425
Office/TTY: 413-499-2425
YWCA of Western Massachusetts (Springfield)
Hotline: 800-796-8711
Office: 413-732-3121
TTY: 413-733-7100
Spanish-Language Assistance
Llámanos Statewide Spanish-Language Helpline
24-Hour Helpline: 800-223-5001