What’s the Deal With…
Title IX and Sexual
Harassment on Campus
What’s the Deal With…
Title IX and Sexual Violence on College
Campuses
Colonial Inauguration, June 2015
The George Washington University
Objectives
 Review basic terminology and concepts related to
“sexual assault prevention and response” (SAPR)
 Review expectations regarding behavior toward others;
understanding of prohibited sexual and relationship
behaviors
 Review GWU’s initiatives to prevent and respond to
sexual misconduct
 Review GWU’s resources for survivors and the various
options available
Sexual assault and college campuses
 What’s your impression?
 Why this session?
Review: Spectrum of Sexual Misconduct
Intrusion
Intrusion
Exploitation
Exploitation
Coercion
Coercion
•Visual
••Gestures
Visual
•Exhibitionism
• Gestures
•Voyeurism
•Quid pro quo
•Sexual Jokes
•Manipulation
•
•Threats
•Manipulation
• Exhibitionism
•Verbal
•Targeted statements
••Threats
Verbal
•Sexual observations
• Targeted
statements
•Written
•Notes
• Threats
•Emails
• Sexual
•other e-stalking
observations
•Stalking
• Written
• Notes
• Emails
• other e-stalking
• Stalking
•Voyeurism
•Pictures
•Sexual
Jokes
•Rituals and Initiations
•Quid pro quo
•
•Ultimatums
•Pictures
•Threats
•Rituals and
Initiations
•Ultimatums
Relationship/Dating
Relationship
Violence
or Dating
Violence
•Pattern
of abuse and
control
•Physical, emotional,
•Pattern
of
sexual, psychological,
financial,
abusespiritual
and
control
•Physical,
emotional,
sexual,
psychological,
financial,
spiritual
•Stalking
SexualAssault
Sexual
•Assault
UnwantedTouching
• Rape
• Unwanted
Touching
• Rape
Consent
Requires
words or actions
indicating a
freely given
to engage in
and
enthusiastic
agreement
any sexual activity
A lack of verbal or physical resistance does not by itself constitute
consent
Cooperation
Consent
**An incapacitated person cannot consent to sexual activity**
Consent is NOT:
I’m not sure
This is too fast
We probably shouldn’t
Review: “Sexual Misconduct”
 GWU, administrative term covering spectrum of
behavior
unwanted sexual
 What it means (Code of Conduct):
 Making any unwelcome sexual
for sexual favors to another person
advances or requests
engaging in any activities or conduct of a sexual
nature with respect to another person
without consent
 And/or
 that is offensive, degrading or pervasive
 And/or that creates an intimidating or
living or social
hostile academic, work,
environment for that person.
Sexual Harassment and Violence

Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other
verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
**83% of college students report experiencing harassment

Sexual Coercion: Unreasonable pressure for sexual activity; Physical, Emotional,
Ultimatums, Blackmail, Threats

Sexual Exploitation: Taking non consensual or abusive sexual advantage of another for
one’s own advantage or benefit.
Examples include, but are not limited to… Invasion of sexual privacy, Nonconsensual recording or broadcast of sexual activity, voyeurism, flashing,
Knowingly transmitting an STD or HIV to another person

Sexual Assault: Any unwanted, non-consensual sexual contact against any individual by
another.
 Can occur either forcibly (against a person’s will)
 or when a person cannot give consent (under the age of consent, intoxicated,
developmentally disabled, mentally/physically unable to consent, etc.).

Rape: Non-consensual sexual intercourse.
 Any sexual penetration (vaginal, anal, oral), however slight, with any object, by one
person upon another person, without consent and/or by force
Sexual Harassment and Violence
 Relationship Violence
 Pattern of behavior in an intimate relationship used to establish power and
control over another person through fear and intimidation.
 Often portrayed in the media as only physical or sexual violence. Also involves
(with or without physical abuse) emotional, verbal, psychological and
digital/online forms of abuse
 characterized by a cycle of abusive control and periods of calm. This is often
confusing for victims/survivors and might be misinterpreted by outsiders.
 Stalking
 Course of conduct directed at a specific person that is unwelcome and would
cause a reasonable person to feel fear for their safety or experience
substantial emotional distress
 In which a person directly, indirectly or through 3rd party by action, method,
device or means follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens or
communicates to or about a person
 Often involves “toeing the line” and “gas lighting” behavior
 Can involve romantic overtures or overtly negative messages
How often does it happen?
 1 in 5
female victims of sexual assault during
college
 1 in 16
male victims of sexual assault in college
 80%
attackers known to victim
 20%
sexual assaults reported to authorities
 1 in 3
assault victims transfer or drop out
Self Report
Local
campus
climate
surveys
Campus
Sexual
Assault
Study
(2007)
Where do
the
numbers
come from?
National Trends
National
Crime
Victim
Survey
(2013)
Criminal/Legal
Statistics
Local Numbers
Clery Act
Reporting
Confidential
support
obtained
Self Report
Local
campus
climate
surveys
Local Numbers
Inconsistent
definitions–
victim and
respondents
Campus
Sexual
Assault
Study
(2007)
What’s
left out?
Clery Act
Reporting
???
National Trends
National
Crime
Victim
Survey
(2013)
Criminal/Legal
Statistics
Psychological
barriers
(cognitive
challenges, etc)
For More Info…
 GW Safety and Security Report:
http://police.gwu.edu/annual-security-fire-safety-reportcompliance-information
 GW Climate Survey:
https://diversity.gwu.edu/university-releases-resultsunwanted-sexual-behavior-questionnaire
Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972
No person
in the United States shall, on the basis
of sex
 be
excluded
 be
denied
 be subjected to
from participation in
the benefits of
discrimination
Any education program
Federal financial assistance
under
or activity receiving
Title IX
 Who:
Any University student or affiliate; any gender
 What:
Any gender related discrimination or harassment
o
o
o
o
Athletics
Pregnancy
Access
Environment free from sexual harassment and abuse
 Where/When:
Any University owned or sponsored event,
program, activity
 Why:
Preserving environment that allows equal access
to education
 How:
Investigation, remediation, accommodations,
education, prevention
Title IX and Sexual Harassment/
Sexual Assault
“If a school knows or reasonably should know about
student-on-student harassment that creates a hostile
environment, Title IX requires the school to take immediate
action to eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence,
and address its effects”
 Remember– Harassment includes all sexual violence
 NOTE: This applies to all members of and visitors to the
university. It is more than “student on student.”
Options for Survivors at GWU
Confidential
Support
GWU/
Civil/
Administrative
Criminal
Process
Process
Haven.GWU.Edu
Victim Services
Coordinator
202.994.0443
suzcombs@gwu.edu
Response Coordinator
202.994.4390
University Counseling
Center
carrieross@gwu.edu
202.994.5300
SARC
Sexual Assault
Response
Consultative Team
202.994.7222
Health Services
202.994.6827
Confidentiality Levels
 Strictly confidential—
information stays with the person to whom you disclose
 Mostly confidential—
strict “need to know,” for purposes of providing help
 Anonymity—
no connection between identity and story
GW Title IX Office
Response Coordinator/ Assistant Director for Sexual Assault
Prevention and Response

Carrie Ross 202.994.4390 carrieross@gwu.edu

Initial consultation with any person reporting concerns about sexual harassment or
violence

Provides information about all options: academic or housing accommodations, formal
University complaint (SRR), criminal report, support resources

Seeking accommodations does NOT require a formal complaint
Sexual Assault Response Consultation (SARC) Team

24/7 Hotline 202.994.7222

Information and Referral; Can accompany to hospital

Mostly Confidential (anonymous option)
Title IX Coordinator

Rory Muhammad 202.994.7434 rmuhammad@gwu.edu

Monitors overall compliance with Title IX, VAWA, Campus SaVE Act

Ensures internal compliance with GWU policies (reporting, resource provision,
investigating, accountability)
Housing
Change
Health
Services
Counseling and
Mental Health
Services
Schedule
Change
Interim Measures
and
Accommodations
(no formal
complaint required)
Ban from
Building or
Residence
Hall
Academic
Accommodations
No Contact
Order
GWU/ Administrative Report
Process (Student-Student)
Consultation
with Response
Coordinator;
Receive Interim
Assistance
Explore
University and
Legal/criminal
Options
Accommodations
and assistance
only,
or proceed with
formal complaint
File complaint
with Student
Rights and
Responsibilities
Formal Complaint Process—
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Informal
Resolution
OR
Hearing
Resources
for
Survivors
Entering
GWU
Colonial Health,
Mental Health Services
• 6 Free Sessions
• Insurance and Sliding Scale Rates
• Referrals to other practitioners
• Survivor Support Group
GW initiatives
Prevention
Intervention
Response
Building a Culture
Campus Partnerships
Diversity &
Inclusion/
Title IX
Center for
Student
Engagement
Student
Leaders
DOS,
Hallmark
Programs
Mandatory
Programs
Colonial
Inauguration
Welcome
Week and
Res. Life
Colonial Inauguration
• Introduce concepts of
sex + alcohol
• Introduce bystander
intervention
• Introduce RA and Title
IX office as
important
resources
• Transitioning to
college life
• Values exploration
• Responsibility to self
and community
• Healthy relationships
• Consent in sexual
encounters
• Rights and
responsibilities
• Campus safety
initiatives
• Resources and
education programs
Scenes
from
College Life
Title IX
Information
Sessions
Community
Meetings
Intro to
Welcome
Week
Programs
• Mandatory online
module
• Mandatory in person
session
Mandatory* Programs
Think
About
It
Spectrum of violence
Consent in sexual interactions
(online)
1st
Title IX rights and responsibilities
Campus and local resources
Let’s
Talk
About It
(Welcome Week,
in person)
2nd
Complaint and disciplinary
processes
Risk reduction measures
Bystander intervention
* Registration hold for spring
Welcome Week/ CSE
•Reinforce
respectful behavior
•bystander
intervention
• Reinforce Consent
• Reinforce campus
resources
• Transitioning to
college life—ongoing
discussions
•Core RA group
with intensive
training re SAPR
•Peer advisors,
thought leaders
Roommate
Agreements
Community
Respect
Resident
Advisors
Floor
Meetings/
ongoing
programs
Resident
Advisor
Training
•Campus policies
and resources
•responding to
disclosures
•Behavior
expectations
Desired Outcomes
 Knowledge about consent and healthy relationship
behaviors; decreased likelihood of perpetrating sexual
coercion or violence
 Awareness of spectrum of sexual and relationship violence
including warning signs
 Increased familiarity with campus resources and policies;
increased likelihood of reporting incidents and concerns
 Willingness to be effective bystanders
Beyond Welcome Week
 Pay attention: CI, after hours, community meetings,
parties
 Get Involved: SASA
 Host a Program: team or organization
 Start conversations: In class, in res halls, in social
groups
 Take Responsibility: #ItsOnUs
#ItsOnUs
Questions &
Feedback