Office of Title IX Compliance and Training

 

Get Help

  • If you are in immediate danger on campus, call Public Safety (240-895-4911) and/or 911 as soon as possible.
  • If you need immediate medical assistance, call 911 as soon as possible.

Seeking Medical Assistance

The College urges you to seek medical assistance/care directly following an instance of sexual violence. A medical provider can provide emergency and/or follow-up medical services. Additionally, you have the option of getting a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE Exam) from a compassionate medical provider. The SAFE Exam has two goals:

  • Diagnose and treat any injury or physical effect (including identifying and addressing any sexually transmitted infections, HIV, or pregnancy)
  • Properly collect and preserve evidence.

The SMCM Counseling and Psychological Services staff therapist/advocate, and advocates from Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy may accompany you to the hospital. Any evidence will be held until you decide whether or not to press charges, and any information will be kept confidential until you wish to notify the College and/or the police. Learn more about SAFE Exams here.

Sexual Assault Forensic Exams (SAFE Exams)

St. Mary’s Hospital and Calvert Memorial Hospital provide Sexual Assault Forensic Exams. These exams, which are performed by trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, are free to the person who experienced the assault. SAFE exams are used to diagnose the extent of any injury and to properly collect and preserve evidence to contribute to any legal investigations and proceedings. SAFE exams are maintained anonymously at the hospital for a minimum of 90 days. You may refuse any part of the SAFE exam.

There is a 96-hour window following an incident of sexual assault during which evidence may be preserved. The decision to seek timely medical attention and to gather any evidence will preserve the full range of options to pursue criminal prosecution as well as seek resolution under the College policy. Taking steps to gather evidence does not commit you to any particular course of action. The College and/or the police will not be contacted without your permission.

If you would like a SAFE exam, don’t shower, comb your hair, use the bathroom, or clean your body in any way. Be sure to preserve any clothing (including undergarments) in a paper bag to bring to the hospital.

Contacting Law Enforcement

The College encourages all individuals or third-party witnesses to report any incident to the College and to local law enforcement. Reporting options are not mutually exclusive; you may pursue criminal charges and a campus process simultaneously. The Title IX Coordinator can work with you to discuss law enforcement options. Additionally, you may take a confidential resource or advocate with you for support if you decide to meet with law enforcement officers.

Public Safety


St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office


Maryland State Police, Leonardtown Barracks

Confidential Resources

On- campus confidential resources available to students include:

SMCM Staff Therapist
Sexual Assault Advocate



SMCM Health Services


SMCM Counseling
and Psychological Services


SMART Hotline

on-call services by students specially trained in sexual misconduct crisis protocols

Employees may access confidential assistance through the Employee Assistance Program.

 

Off-Campus Confidential Resources include, but are not limited to:

Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy (off-campus)

24- Hour Domestic Violence Hotline:

Information shared with the above resources will remain confidential and will not be shared with the College or anyone else without the express permission of the individual seeking services, unless maintaining such confidentiality would result in harm to self or others.

When a report involves suspected abuse of a minor under the age of 18, these confidential resources are required by Maryland law and by the College’s Child Abuse Reporting Policy to notify child protective services and/or local law enforcement. In these situations, they are also required to notify the Title IX Coordinator that such a report has been made.

How to Support a Friend

When speaking with someone who has experienced sexual misconduct:

  • Don’t be judgmental. Believe in your friend; do not blame them.
  • Let your friend make their own decisions. Encouraging your friend to make decisions will help them gain a sense of control.
  • Respect your friend’s privacy. Do not share what happened to your friend with other people. Let them decide who will know.
  • Encourage your friend to get help. Provide your friend with information on where they can get help.
  • Be there. Offer your support and understanding.
  • Listen. This is a great way to show your support. Do not push your friend to talk, but when they are ready, be available with an open mind and heart.
  • Be patient. Healing takes time; just be there for your friend.
  • Take care of yourself. Find support for yourself. A counselor can help you process and understand your own feelings about your friend’s experience.

Related Resources

Additional Resources

Sexual Misconduct & Recovery

RAINN.org – created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE)
National Sexual Assault Online Hotline – chat online with a trained staff member who can provide you confidential crisis support
Not Alone.gov – information for students, schools, and anyone interested in finding resources on how to respond to and prevent sexual assault
National Institute of Mental Health – PTSD – definitions, signs and symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and therapies
OK2TALK – a community for teens and young adults struggling with mental health problems

Suicide Awareness Resources

Suicide Hotline – provides 24/7, free, and confidential support
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education – one of the nation’s first organizations dedicated to the prevention of suicide
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – raises awareness, funds scientific research, and provides resources and aid to those affected by suicide

LGBTQ Resources

The Trevor Project Helpline – the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people
Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860) – is a trans-led supportive resource and peer-support hotline for the trans community.
LGBTQ Health – from the CDC, provides information and resources on health issues and inequities affecting LGBT communities
Health Resources and Services Administration – information on culturally competent health care for LGBT citizens
Top Health Issues for LGBT Populations – information and resource kits provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
CenterLink – a member-based coalition to support the development of strong, sustainable LGBT community centers

Reporting Sexual Harassment

The College has a strong interest in supporting community members who experience sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, and relationship violence. We encourage all individuals or third-party witnesses to report any incident to the College and to local law enforcement. Reporting options are not mutually exclusive; you may pursue criminal charges and a campus process simultaneously.
Make a Report to the College

Policies & Information

Find Support

Policies and Procedures

Helpful Resources

New Federal Title IX Regulation Changes

In May of 2020, the U.S. Department of Education released new federal Title IX regulations that go into effect on August 14, 2020. Please check out the important community messages from the College’s Title IX Office about these changes below:

Title IX Personnel Training Materials – 2020-2021

Title IX Personnel Training Materials – 2021-2022

How to Make a Report

“Making a report” means telling someone in authority what happened — in person, by telephone, in writing, or by email. At the time a report is made, you do not have to decide whether to request any particular course of action, nor do you need to know how to label what happened. Choosing to make a report, and deciding how to proceed after making the report, can be a process that unfolds over time. You can make a report here.

 

What to Know

The College provides assistance and support to each individual in making these important decisions.The College will also, to the extent legally possible, respect an individual’s autonomy in deciding how to proceed. In this process, the College will balance the individual’s interest with its obligation to provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment for all members of the College community.

Any individual who makes a report can be assured that all reports will be investigated and resolved in a fair and impartial manner. Complainants (the person making the report or the person who experienced the alleged harassment), respondents (the person accused of alleged harassment), and everyone else involved can expect to be treated with dignity and respect.

In every report under this policy, the College will make an immediate assessment of any risk of harm to the complainant or to the broader campus community and will take the necessary steps to address those risks. These steps will include supportive measures to provide for the safety of the individual and the campus community such as:

  • Housing Changes
  • Class Changes
  • No Contact Orders
  • Connection to Wellness Resources
  • Connection to local advocacy groups
  • Other supportive measures to protect the safety of the complainant and/or the community

After a Report is Made

 

Confidentiality and Privacy

The College is committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals involved in a report of sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, or intimate partner violence. All College employees who are involved in the College’s Title IX response, including the Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, investigators, and hearing board members, receive specific training about respecting and safeguarding private information. Throughout the process, every effort will be made to protect the privacy interests of all individuals involved in a manner consistent with the need for a thorough review of the report.
Privacy and confidentiality have distinct meanings under this policy:

Privacy

Privacy generally means that information related to a report of misconduct will only be shared with a limited circle of individuals. The use of this information is limited to those College employees who “need to know” in order to assist in the active review, investigation, or resolution of the report. While not bound by confidentiality, these individuals will be discreet and respect the privacy of all individuals involved in the process.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality means that information shared by an individual with designated campus or community professionals cannot be revealed to any other individual without the express permission of the individual. These campus and community professionals include mental health providers, ordained clergy, rape crisis counselors and attorneys, all of whom have legally protected confidentiality. These individuals are prohibited from breaking confidentiality unless there is an imminent threat of harm to self or others or a suspicion of child abuse.
An individual who seeks completely confidential assistance may do so by speaking with professionals who have a legally protected confidentiality.

 

What is Title IX

Title IX is the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination at colleges and universities that receive federal funding.
Sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, is a prohibited form of discrimination.

 

How Can the Title IX Office Help You

The College employs a Title IX Coordinator to oversee the College’s response to reports of sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, and relationship violence. The Title IX Coordinator, who leads the Office of Title IX Compliance and Training and reports directly to the President, is supported by two Deputy Title IX Coordinators and the Title IX Investigator/Prevention Specialist. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for conducting the initial Title IX assessment, implementing interim remedies and protective measures for the individual and the community, initiating the investigation, and ensuring a fair and impartial resolution designed to:

  • Stop any harassing conduct
  • Remedy its effects, and
  • Prevent its recurrence.

The Title IX Coordinator provides oversight of all Title IX complaints to ensure compliance with local, state and federal authority. The Title IX Coordinator receives, reviews, and maintains records of all complaints in order to identify and address any systemic problems. The Title IX Coordinator also assesses student activities periodically to ensure that the practices and behaviors of the students do not violate the policies on sexual harassment and violence. These duties also include creating and implementing education, prevention, and training programs regarding sexual misconduct for the community.

Students who wish to change their chosen names in various campus software systems may contact the Division of Student Affairs by completing the Student Chosen Name Request form.

The Title IX Coordinator and all Title IX personnel are available to meet with students, staff and faculty.

 

Title IX Contact Information

SMCM Public Safety

Mandatory Reporters

Faculty, staff, coaches, Public Safety, Resident Assistants (RAs), Residence Hall Coordinators (RHCs), etc.

When you make a report to a mandatory reporter, the person you are speaking with is obligated to share the details of the situation with Title IX Coordinator Michael Dunn. You are still in control of how you want to proceed, as described above.


The National Public Honors College Logo

SMP Fund

In spring 2019, the Office of Title IX Compliance and Training won a five-year grant from the Maryland Department of Health’s Rape and Sexual Assault Prevention Program at the Center for Injury and Sexual Assault Prevention.

As part of this grant award, the College is launching the Sexual Violence Prevention SMP Fund (the Fund). The goal of the Fund is to support St. Mary’s Projects (SMPs) on topics related to the mobilization of men and boys as allies to prevent sexual and relationship violence.

Beginning in spring 2020, rising seniors who are planning their SMPs may apply for financial support from the Fund. Applications will be considered through a selective process and award amounts will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Students who are awarded funds will form a cohort that will meet on a monthly basis. Awardees will also produce a deliverable to memorialize their SMPs.

Students of any discipline are encouraged to apply! Click here to apply today!

Who Fits Into Sport? The Impact of the Gender Binary in Athletics on Those Who May Not Have a Place. - Melody Raynaud '21         Assumptions Surrounding Women, The Glass Cliff, and Perceived Company Precariousness. Katie Agate '21         Glass Cliff and Signal for Change: What Does the Addition of Women to Leadership Positions Signal About a Company's Performance? Hannah Dietrich '21

Click on the phots above to read our recipients’ SMP abstracts.


SMCM title IX Logo

Prevention, Education, and Awareness

St. Mary’s offers a variety of programs and initiatives to educate our community and raise awareness of Title IX and sexual harassment issues.

Ongoing Training

New students are required to attend the in-person “Title IX and Your Rights” training session. In addition, first-year, junior, and new transfer students are required to complete an ongoing training requirement designed to continue our campus-wide conversation about our community and sexual harassment.

 

Bystander Intervention

We apply the “Bringing in the Bystander” model of bystander intervention (“Bringing in the Bystander” is a registered trademark of the University of New Hampshire). This evidence-based approach is designed to help participants understand the concept of bystander intervention, identify a continuum of inappropriate behavior, develop empathy for those who have experienced sexual violence, and develop skills to intervene as a bystander.As stated in the St. Mary’s Way, St. Mary’s College of Maryland is a place where people foster relationships based upon mutual respect, honesty, integrity, and trust. As such, the College is committed to providing an educational, living and working environment free from all forms of harassment and discrimination for all members of the community.

The College considers you a partner in this fight to end sexual violence and we encourage you to be an active bystander in order to make a profound, personal impact on the community we are building together. Below, you will find more information on how to be an active bystander. If you are interested in receiving or hosting this training, please contact Helen Ann Lawless, the Title IX Investigator/Prevention Specialist, at hlawless@smcm.edu.

How to Be an Active Bystander:

  1. Notice the event
  2. Interpret the event as a problem
  3. Assume personal responsibility
  4. Know how to help
  5. Implement → Step Up!

Raising Awareness

St. Mary’s offers many awareness programs around Title IX and issues of sexual violence, sexual harassment, and relationship violence, including:a_call_to_men_poster

  • A CALL TO MEN: The national violence prevention organization hosted workshops to address the prevalence of sexual and domestic violence in society and on college campuses, and how men can work together to prevent it. This programming was made possible thanks to a grant from the Center for Injury and Sexual Assault Prevention at the Maryland Department of Health. The funding came from the Maryland Rape and Sexual Assault Prevention College Initiative, which seeks to enhance campus-based sexual violence prevention activities.
  • One Love Foundation Escalation Workshop: Participants learn about the warning signs of relationship violence through a film and a discussion led by a trained facilitator.

Other campus programs include Take Back the Night, the Clothesline Project, and RAINN Day, and various events centered on sexual violence-related awareness months.

 

Get Involved

Your voice matters. We need your help in order to make this campus a thriving community environment. Take advantage of some of the ways you can get involved to promote awareness and make your voice heard.

Student Programs

Sexual Misconduct Advocacy and Resource Team (SMART)

The Sexual Misconduct Advocacy and Resource Team is a group of students trained to respond to, support, and advocate for issues of personal power-based violence. To learn more about how to get involved, follow Sexual Misconduct Advocacy and Resource Team (SMART).

Peer Health Educators

The Peer Health Educators is a group of students at St. Mary’s College of Maryland dedicated to promoting healthy behaviors on campus. To learn more about how to get involved, follow Peer Health Educators.

To Prevent Sexual Harassment

  • Don’t harass, exploit, threaten, or assault people.
  • Intervene if something doesn’t seem right.
  • Understand and use your power to make a positive difference in our community.
  • Take care of yourself and your friends.
  • Understand how alcohol affects the body, mind, and ability to consent.
  • Discuss and respect boundaries and preferences with sexual partners.
  • Make sure you and any sexual partner willingly, freely and knowledgeably consent before any sexual activity.

 

Additional Resources

National and International Organizations

American Association of University Women – promoting equity and education for women and girls
The Clery Center for Security on Campus – a national nonprofit dedicated to helping college and university officials meet the standards of the Jeanne Clery Act
Men Can Stop Rape – to mobilize men to use their strength for creating cultures free from violence, especially men’s violence against women
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV) – to provide a voice in Washington for state coalitions and local programs advocating and organizing against sexual violence and for survivors
The National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence (NCDSV) – designs, provides, and customizes training and consultation, influences policy, promotes collaboration and enhances diversity with the goal of ending domestic and sexual violence
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) – to provide leadership in preventing and responding to sexual violence through collaboration, sharing and creating resources, and promoting research
Sexual Assault Awareness Month – in the USA, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
No Means No – trained instructors in high risk environments deliver rape prevention curriculum to girls and boys ages 10-20
Know Your IX – a survivor-and youth-led organization that aims to empower students to end sexual and dating violence in their schools
Students Active for Ending Rape (SAFER) – strengthens student-led movements to combat sexual and interpersonal violence in campus communities

Alcohol Use Resources

The Maryland Collaborative – to reduce college drinking and related problems
College Parents Matter – tools and scripts to improve communication with your college student

Bystander Intervention and Online Resources

Agent of Change – an online sexual violence prevention education program designed by sexual violence prevention educators
Bringing in the Bystander – a prevention program that emphasizes a bystander intervention approach and assumes that everyone has a role to play in ending violence against women
Every Choice – an online, video-based program, aimed at reducing campus sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking by equipping students with realistic, actionable bystander intervention tools
Green Dot – helps organizations/communities prepare to implement a strategy of violence prevention that consistently, measurably reduces power-based personal violence
PreventConnect – to advance the primary prevention of sexual assault and relationship violence by building a community of practice among people who are engaged in such efforts
The Red Flag Campaign – uses a bystander intervention strategy to address and prevent sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking on college campuses

Title IX Office Video Updates

Title IX Community Meeting – 2021 Campus Climate Survey Results (May 25, 2021)