Sexual assault and harassment can occur on our campus and we want to encourage members of the Randolph-Macon community who believe they have been sexually assaulted or harassed to report theses incidents to campus authorities and to the local authorities (R-MC Campus Safety 752-7200 or Ext. 4710; Ashland Police 798-1227). Campus Safety, Judicial Offices, Ombuds, and Responders can advise victims about the College's internal judicial procedures as well as assist in referrals to the local police. The local authorities can help victims investigate and prosecute; they can also direct victims to other appropriate resources.
Sexual misconduct is defined as activity of a sexual nature which results in the nonconsensual exploitation of one person by another for the purposes of gain or other advantage. The sexual behavior which results in such exploitation may have been consensual or nonconsensual in its original nature. Someone who is unconscious or incapacitated (this includes being under the influence of alcohol or drugs) is incapable of giving consent.
Sexual assault involves any physical contact of a sexual nature that is against one’s will or without one’s consent resulting from the use of force, coercion, intimidation, or threats.
Rape is one type of sexual assault that includes sexual intercourse or anal, oral, or vaginal penetration.
Because sexual assault and rape are crimes, a victim is encouraged to take criminal action against a violator. Sexual assault and rape are forms of sexual harassment, so also may be reported under the College Policy on Non-Discrimination.
We encourage anyone who has been assaulted, or was witness to an assault, to file a Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Assault Report Form. These report forms can be completed and submitted online; they can also be completed in an anonymous manner, if that is your preference.
Things to consider regarding collection of evidence.
Two members of the R-MC Counseling Center staff, Dr. Craig Anderson and Dr. Mary Polce-Lynch, are available to assist students in need and to direct students to the appropriate local resources as sexual assault "responders.” The victim's identity will be kept confidential. When there is an ongoing threat to the community, the incident may be discussed with other administrators with no identifying information, and a warning with no identifying information may be sent to the community at large. Please contact Dr. Anderson or Dr. Polce-Lynch at 752-7270. If there is an after hours emergency, please call Campus Safety at Ext. 4710 and ask to speak with Dr. Anderson or Dr. Polce-Lynch, or use the 24 hour hotline services of Hanover Safe Place by calling 752-2702.
Advocates at Hanover Safe Place (752-2702) can also assist victims with connecting with the appropriate legal authorities, as well as appropriate support services. The Macon-Peer Responders (MPR) are another resource. MPR's are fellow R-MC students who have been trained to do sexual assault prevention and to be allies to assault victims. For contact information, please call Anthony Keitt (752-4715) or Shalise Bates-Pratt (752-3205) MPR Co-Advisors.
Harassment is defined as conduct and/or verbal action which is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive to limit either an individual's ability to participate in or benefit from the educational program, or to create a hostile or abusive environment for students, faculty or staff.
Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when committed by threat, intimidation, force or through taking advantage of another's incapacity, and/or when the conduct and/or verbal action is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive either to limit an individual's ability to participate in or benefit from the educational program or to create a hostile or abusive educational or working environment for students, faculty, staff or guests.
Any form of harassment is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The College Non-Discrimination Policy prohibits harassment, so incidents of harassment also may be reported under that policy. Further, since harassment in any form is also prohibited by Federal Law, you may file a complaint with the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. The R-MC Ombuds or a member of the R-MC Committee on Non-discrimination can help you with information about this procedure.
We encourage anyone that has been harassed to file a Harassment Report Form . These report forms can be completed and submitted online; they can also be completed in an anonymous manner, if that is your preference.
Important Resources and Phone NumbersPlease Note: Multiple resources are listed to afford students the option of starting with the most appropriate resource based upon their particular needs.