Assistance for Survivors of Sexual or Interpersonal Violence

We take sexual misconduct seriously and provide support for on- and off-campus incidents. If
you have been the survivor of a sexual, domestic or stalking concern, we encourage you to report
it immediately to the appropriate campus official. The following protections and options are
available for you.

Reporting: You have several options for disclosing on- or off-campus incidents: Title IX Coordinator, or their designee; RVC Personal & Success Counselor; Responsible Employee (RE) or Campus Security Authority (CSA); Confidential Advocate/Advisor or RVC Police Department. RE’s, CSA’s and RVC Police are obligated to report incidents of sexual and domestic violence to the Title IX Coordinator. See the website for each of their individual roles and obligations.

Title IX Coordinator Role: provide assistance by discussing options available at the college including: assistance with support services, confidentiality, college procedures, implementing interim measures or administrative measures, option to involve law enforcement and providing answers to questions or concerns.

Investigations: The Title IX Coordinator, or their designee, will provide investigation of campus policy violations, if the student chooses. We will evaluate a survivors request of confidentiality and choosing not to want to participate in the investigation. This may limit our ability to respond. However, there may be times that we have to act in the best interest of the parties involved and/or in the best interest of the college community.

Sanctions: Sanctions for students found responsible for sexual misconduct may range from disciplinary warning or probation to suspension or expulsion from the college.

Rock Valley College Police Department (RVCPD): The Chief of the Rock Valley College Police Department, or their designee, will inform the survivor of their reporting obligations and the survivor’s right to speak with the Title IX Coordinator in lieu of an RVC Police investigation and offer resources. If warranted and appropriate, the Chief of Police or designee will complete a
campus report and explain to the student their options for pursuing the complaint through the legal system. The Rock Valley College Police Department can also assist with the needed hospital treatment (or other appropriate agency) and investigation of the complaint. It is important to have prompt, thorough medical care after a sexual assault. The primary medical concerns are physical
injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. At the time of the medical examination, testing will also be done to collect evidence that can be used to prosecute the individual who committed the assault. For this reason, sexual assault victims should not bathe or change their clothing after an assault, because it could destroy evidence.

The RVC Police Department will notify college officials and will report the complaint to the Title IX Coordinator for determination of the need for campus adjudication to take place regardless of prosecution through the legal system.

Referral and Counseling: RVC provides referral to off campus resources and counseling assistance on campus, as appropriate. Referrals can be provided by the Title IX Coordinator and/or the RVC Personal and Success Counselor (located second floor of the Student Center Main Campus). An RVC Counselor may provide confidential response to obtain resources, discuss options and help navigate the process. For absolute privilege and confidential, advisor, a survivor may contact Confidential Advocate/Advisor Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling.

Any case of sexual assault referred to the Title IX Coordinator will be investigated. Sanctions for students found responsible of sexual assault may range from disciplinary warning or probation to suspension or expulsion from the college.

A survivor may report directly to an RVC Personal and Success Counselor for immediate confidential response to obtain resources, discuss options, and to help navigate the process.