RESPONDING TO SEXUAL ASSAULT
RESOURCES FOR FACULTY AND STAFF
If a student discloses a sexual assault to you:
Care
Care for the student
• Ensure that they are safe
• Provide non-judgmental
support
Connect
Connect the student with
resources
• SCF Public Safety
941-752-5550
• 911 if emergency
• Confidential Counseling
MedPsych Systems
941-363-0878 ext. 2170
Campus Ministries
941-752-5607
itsonus.org
What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that
protects individuals from discrimination based on sex and regardless of
gender identity or orientation in any educational/athletic programs or
College services and activities.
What is VAWA?
VAWA is short for the Violence Against Women Act enacted in 1994 and
reauthorized in 2013. This federal legislation calls for a comprehensive
approach to violence against women, including tough new provisions to
hold offenders accountable and programs to provide services for the
victims of such violence.
scf.edu/SafeSCF
Contact
Contact one of the following
• Title IX Coordinator
Dr. Donald R. Bowman
941-752-5301
• Title IX Deputy Coordinators
Student:
Dr. Brenda Pinkney (B)
941-752-5429
Heather Shehorn (V)
941-408-1416
Collegiate:
Karen Peck
941-752-5583
Faculty/Staff:
Gloria Tracy
941-752-5506
Sexual assault is any sexual contact or behavior
that occurs without consent of the recipient of the
unwanted sexual activity, including rape and
attempted rape, groping and forced kissing.
SCF prohibits all forms of sexual violence, sexual
harassment and sexual misconduct, including:
• Sexual assault
• Sexual exploitation
• Stalking
• Relationship violence
• Voyeurism
• Exposure
• Video or audio taping of sexual activity
• Sexual activity resulting from emotional coercion
rev. 10/15
RESPONDING TO SEXUAL ASSAULT
REPORTING, CONFIDENTIALITY, COUNSELING AND SUPPORT
Why is it important to report?
The college has a duty to promptly respond to all complaints of sexual harassment and sexual violence; whether on or off
campus incidents. The purpose is to prevent sex discrimination, promptly address reported incidents, limit the effects of
harassment on the educational environment and prevent the recurrence.
How to report?
All employees are strongly encouraged to share any information about alleged sexual assault with the department of Public
Safety, Title IX Coordinator, or a deputy Title IX coordinator, in recognition of the understanding that centralized reporting is an
important tool to address and prevent sexual assault. All College employees are required to safeguard an individual’s privacy.
Because the College has an obligation to make reasonable efforts to investigate and address instances of known or
suspected misconduct, faculty and staff must share with the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinator all known details of an
incident (e.g., date, time, location, the names of the parties involved, a brief description of the incident and whether the
incident previously has been reported) in person, by telephone, electronically or by email. Such reporting ensures timely
support for all parties and enables an effective and consistent institutional response.
Confidentiality, Anonymity, Privacy, and College Obligations
The College will take all reasonable steps to investigate and respond to the report alleging violation consistent with a request
for anonymity. To maintain privacy, the report only will be shared with employees who need to know in order to assist and
will be discreet and respect the privacy of all individuals involved in the process. The College can provide students with
access to external confidential resources. Employees should make students seeking to confide in them aware of staff’s
mandatory reporting responsibilities and their options.
Counseling and Support
Victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking are strongly encouraged to take some type of action
following the incident. The College’s primary concern is the victim’s personal safety and access to proper medical attention and
counseling. Victims should report the incident as soon as possible, since time is a critical factor for evidence collection and
preservation. The following resources for information concerning counseling, mental health or medical services are available.
• Comprehensive MedPsych Systems/Student Assistance Programs: 941-363-0878, ext. 2170
• Centerstone of Florida (formerly Manatee Glens): 941-782-4100
• Rape Crisis Hotline: 941-708-6059
• Hope House (Manatee): 941-747-8499
• SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center): 941-365-1976
• Domestic Abuse Intervention: 941-426-3111
• Domestic Abuse Shelter Homes: 941-475-8722
• Center of Abuse and Rape Emergencies: 941-627-6000
Victims of a sexual assault may also report the incident directly to the Manatee County or
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office by dialing 911. Police reports are confidential and information
in the report may not be released to College officials without the victim’s permission.
College officials, upon request, will assist victims in the filing of a police report.
rev. 10/15