Mid Michigan College offers resources and options for individuals that have experienced acts of sexual misconduct, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault – criminal sexual contact (fondling), rape, statutory rape and incest. Mid understands that it can be an overwhelming time for someone who has experienced sexual misconduct; we regret that you or someone you know has had such an experience.
Mid, along with the Office of College Compliance & Ethics wants you to know that we are here to help. Most importantly, we want to empower anyone that has experienced sexual misconduct to make choices that are best for them, without pressure and with understanding. As such, we provide this Rights and Options for Survivors of Sexual Misconduct, so individuals can make informed decisions and decide how best to move forward.
Additional, external, information is available through a resource handbook; published in 2018 by the Office of the Governor, entitled A Resources Handbook for Campus Sexual Assault Survivors, Friends, and Family.
First and foremost, it is up to you to choose how to proceed! You have options, you can decide to
You may pursue whichever combination of options that are best for you. If you choose to report to the College’s Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator or Deputy they will provide you with your rights and options, which may include a formal or informal resolution and/or supportive measures.
Call 9-1-1 in the midst of any kind of emergency, immediate harm, or threat of harm.
You are encouraged to seek immediate assistance from police and healthcare providers for physical, emotional and medical care. Ultimately, it is your decision whether to notify police and/or seek medical attention. The College’s Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator or Deputy can assist in notifying the police, if desired. A delay in reporting may limit the College’s ability to investigate and remedy the effects.
Contact Information for Local Law Enforcement
Harrison Campus
Clare County Sheriff’s Department
255 W. Main St., Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-7166
Mt. Pleasant Campus
Isabella County Sheriff’s Department
207 Court St., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
(989) 772-5911
For incidents occurring at off-campus events or activities, please contact 911 or contact the law enforcement agency with responding jurisdiction.
Lori Fassett, AVP of Human Resources
Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator
1375 S. Clare Ave, Harrison, MI 48625
Office: Harrison Campus Main Building, Business Office Suite, Room 213
2600 S. Summerton Rd., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Office: Doan Center, Room 104
(989) 386-6622, x692
lfassett1@midmich.edu
Martricia Farrell, Office of College Compliance and Ethic
Deputy Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator
1375 S. Clare Ave, Harrison, MI 48625
Office: Harrison Campus Main Building, Business Office Suite, Room 205
2600 S. Summerton Rd., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Office: Center for Liberal Arts & Business, Room 168C (located inside Library and Learning Services)
(989) 386-6622, x394
mfarrell@midmich.edu
Local Hospitals
MidMichigan Medical Center – Clare
703 N. McEwan St
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 802-5000
McLaren Central Michigan
1221 South Drive
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
(989) 772-6700
The College understands that there are many barriers to reporting, both individual and societal. Not every individual will choose to make a formal report but still may need someone to speak with in confidentiality who is not required to report the incident to the College’s Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator. For such individuals, the College offers limited Counseling through the Office of Counseling and Wellness Services.
The Director of Counseling and Wellness Services is a professional counselor and is subject to legal confidentiality. This prohibits the release of information without an individual’s express consent, except as required by law. When deemed appropriate, the College encourages employed and contracted professional counselors to inform their clients of their option to submit a confidential report. The purpose of a confidential report is to adhere to an individual’s choice to keep the matter private while still taking steps to ensure the safety of the individual and the campus community.
Information on Mid’s Counseling and Wellness Services may be obtained by contacting
Amy Campbell, Director of Counseling and Wellness Services
Mt. Pleasant Campus: 2600 S. Summerton Rd., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Harrison Campus: 1375 S. Clare Ave., Harrison, MI 48625
aacampbell@midmich.edu
(989) 773-6622, x256
In an effort to support an individual’s rights to speak with someone confidentially in confidence, the College maintains a Community Assistance Resource page.
The following confidential information and help is available
It is important to take steps to collect and preserve evidence, as it may be necessary for proof of the crime or in obtaining a protection order. Victims of sexual violence/assault, domestic violence, or dating violence should not bathe, urinate, douche, brush teeth, or drink liquids until after they are examined and, if necessary, a rape examination has been performed. Clothes should not be changed. When necessitated, seek immediate medical attention at a local hospital and take a full change of clothing for use after the medical exam. In instances of stalking, evidence is more likely to be in the form of letters, e-mails, text messages, etc., rather than physical indications. However, it is still necessary to take steps to preserve evidence in these situations, as well.
Individuals who have experienced sexual assault are strongly encouraged to seek medical attention. It is important to be examined for injuries. Information on counseling services, pregnancy, and STDs will also be provided. An additional important reason to seek medical attention is to collect any physical evidence for any criminal investigation, if pursued. Evidence may be collected up to five (5) days after the assault through a sexual assault evidence collection kit, but evidence is best collected within a six (6) hour window of time. Additionally, some assailants use drugs to render their victim helpless. If a victim of sexual assault believes that they may have been drugged, seeking medical attention from a local hospital is strongly encouraged. Blood or urine tests may detect drugs in the system and should be completed as soon as possible. Some drugs can only be detected within 12 hours of ingestion.
Most emergency rooms offer a sexual assault evidence collection kit, but the staff may recommend that the exam be performed by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). SANE personnel have received specialized training in the collection of evidence, testing, and treatment. They address their work with specialized sensitivity and knowledge. Currently, the following hospital has such specialized nursing available
Isabella County SANE Program
McLaren Central Michigan Hospital
1221 South Drive
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
(989) 772-6777
Alternate SANE service locations can be obtained by contacting (800) 656-HOPE.
In Michigan, the SAFE Response Program of the Crime Victim Services Commission ensures that sexual assault victims are never directly billed for a medical forensic exam. The SAFE Response Program will pay for the exam whether or not the victim chooses to report the assault to local law enforcement. If the victim has medical insurance which would cover the cost of the exam, SAFE Response legislation requires that the victim’s insurance be used to pay for the exam unless the victim believes that billing the insurance would substantially interfere with their personal privacy or safety.
For additional information or questions about payment, contact
Crime Victim Services Commission, SAFE Response (517) 334-SAFE (7233).
Many hospital policies require that sexual assaults be reported to the Police. However, being treated at an emergency department or having sexual assault evidence collected does not mean that you must talk to the Police. You can choose not to speak with them. If you are unsure about participating in the criminal process, having the sexual assault evidence collection kit completed will assist you in keeping your options open. The Kit cannot be released to the Police without your consent.
If you file a police report you will be interviewed by an officer or detective who will conduct an investigation into the situation. After completing the investigation, the officer or detective will turn the information over to the Prosecuting Attorney who will review the report and decide whether or not to bring criminal charges against the perpetrator. If charges are brought, the matter will proceed through the Court system and you may be required to testify. The Prosecutor will provide you with information on the criminal justice process, as well as your rights as a victim.
Reporting an incident of sexual misconduct carries no obligation to move forward with a formal complaint and may be submitted by the individual that experienced the misconduct or by a third-party. A report allows the Title IX Coordinator to reach out to the individual that experienced the misconduct and provide information, support, and resources.
The term ‘formal complaint,’ is a request made by the individual that experienced the misconduct to Mid to initiate an investigation into the allegations. This requires a formal document or electronic submission (such as by electronic mail or through an online portal provided by Mid for this purpose) that contains the Complainant’s physical or digital signature or otherwise indicates that the Complainant is the person filing the complaint, and requests that Mid investigate the allegations. If the request is submitted in a format that does not meet this standard, the Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator will contact the Complainant to determine whether the Complainant is requesting that Mid initiate an investigation or other appropriate resolution procedures.
If a Complainant does not wish to file a Formal Complaint, Mid will maintain the privacy of information to the extent possible. The Complainant should not fear a loss of privacy by submitting a report that allows Mid to discuss and/or provide supportive measures.
The College will make reasonable and appropriate efforts to ensure privacy to involved individuals and protect confidentiality when conducting an investigation and resolving a complaint, except as otherwise required by law.
Personal Identifiable Information (PII) about the complainant and/or other necessary parties will be kept confidential. Personal Identifiable Information (PII) will only be shared with persons who have a specific need-to-know, such as those investigating/adjudicating the matter or those involved in providing support services, including accommodations and supportive measures. Doing this allows the College the ability to maintain, as confidential, any provided accommodations or supportive measures, to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality would impair the ability of the College to provide the accommodations or supportive measures.
Once a formal complaint has been filed, the Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator will work with the Complainant to determine which resolution type if preferred. The Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator will seek to abide by the Complaint’s wishes but may have to take another approach depending upon their assessment of the situation. The resolution types available are as follows:
The informal process does not involve a full investigation and adjudication process, and will still act to end the misconduct, prevent its reoccurrence and remedy its effects; lessor sanctions may be imposed. Examples of Informal Resolution processes include:
Supportive Resolution. When the Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator can resolve the matter informally by providing support measures (only) designed to remedy the situation. Supportive Resolution involves only the party who opts for it.
Accepted Responsibility. When the Respondent accepts responsibility for violating College Policy and accepts the recommended sanction(s), and the Complainant and Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator are agreeable to the resolution terms.
Alternative Resolution. When the Parties agree to resolve the matter through an alternative resolution mechanism, such as shuttled negotiation, facilitated dialogue etc. The Parties may agree, as a condition of participation in the alternative resolution process, on what statements made or evidence shared during this process will not be considered in the Formal Grievance Process, should the Alternative Resolution process not be successful.
This process is applicable to Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking that occur within the College’s educational program or activity. This process provides for an investigation, live hearing, and cross examination.
Process B is utilized to resolve allegations that fall outside of the scope of the Title IX Sexual Harassment. Typically, this is because:
Process B is applicable to Complaints of alleged Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, or Stalking that fall outside of Mid’s Education Program or Activity. This process is administrative in nature and includes an investigation and determination of responsibility.
To learn about these resolution processes please see the College’s Non Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Other Prohibited Conduct Policy.
During the investigation and through the final determination of a complaint, both the Complainant and the Respondent shall have certain rights, which include
Supportive measures are free non-disciplinary, non-punitive services offered to the Complainant and/or Respondent as appropriate and reasonably available. They will be offered and provided regardless of whether or not a formal complaint has been filed.
In applying supportive measures, any services that are provided to the Complainant or the Respondent will be kept confidential unless disclosure is necessary to provide the service. Supportive measures restore or preserve equal access to the College’s educational and work programs and activities without unreasonably burdening the other Party. They are designed to protect the safety of all Parties, the College’s educational environment, and/or deter sexual misconduct.
Examples of Supportive Measures may include, but are not limited to
Following an investigation and hearing (if applicable) the Decision-Maker will issue a written Final Determination, which will include the finding, rationale and sanctions, if imposed. The Parties will simultaneously be notified, in writing, of the results. If a finding of responsible is issued, the College will take any necessary steps to end the misconduct and prevent the reoccurrence of said misconduct. Corrective action will be taken as appropriate.
A list of sanctions that could be imposed based on the severity of the incident (ranking low to high) include: verbal warning, written warning, college No Contact Order, classroom/work reassignment, probation, social probation (limiting or removal from student group’s social activities, sports, etc.), community service, restitution, recommendation for external counseling, implementation of behavioral/improvement contract, program attendance/interview, internal professional development, loss of college computer use and/or network, suspension, revocation of degree, expulsion or termination.
When notified of the Final Determination/outcome, the Respondent and the Complainant will also receive instructions for filing an Appeal. This appeal petition must be submitted in writing to the Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator within five (5) business days of receiving the written Final Determination. The original findings and sanctions are considered reasonable and appropriate, so disagreement with the finding is not a basis for an Appeal. Therefore, the only grounds for Appeal are as follows
Anyone who believes that they have been retaliated against for opposing discriminatory behavior, reporting sexual misconduct, or participating/cooperating in an investigation, should immediately contact the Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator. Any person found to have retaliated against a person for engaging in protected activity will be in Policy violation and will be subject to disciplinary action.
Can be physical, sexual, verbal or emotional. Ask yourself the following questions
Is a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors that adults or adolescents use to control their intimate partners. These behaviors include physical, sexual, and psychological attacks as well as economic threats. Ask yourself the following questions
Is a willful course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment of another individual that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested; an act that actually causes the victim to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed or molested. Ask yourself the following questions
(The above is a sampling of questions and are not intended to be the sole determining factors for identifying dating violence, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking)
If you answered yes to any of the above questions or are frightened about something in your relationship and want to learn more, the following confidential information and help is available
A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a document that is obtained through the Court. It orders someone to stop threats or violence against you. A PPO can help protect you from someone who is threating, harassing, or hurting you. You may petition the Court for a PPO if you have a reasonable fear for your personal safety. There are three types of Personal Protection Orders: Domestic Relationship, Non-Domestic (Stalking), and Non-Domestic (Sexual Assault). For information, paperwork, or assistance in obtaining a PPO, please visit Michigan Legal Help . Assistance can also be provided by contacting sexual assault or domestic violence service providers, such as Women’s Aid (Clare and Isabella Counties) or Shelter House (Gladwin and Midland Counties).
There are many ways to help a friend that has been a victim of sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. The most valuable help that you can provide to them is your presence. Be with them and be a good listener. Educate yourself and those around you on the warning signs of these various acts of violence and the resources that are available in your community. To learn about resources in your community visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services .
Do not pass judgment; strive to understand what they are saying and going through; be supportive, remind them that they are not responsible for the abuse; inform them of options available and assure them that you will protect their privacy and help them no matter what their decision is.
To help reduce one’s risk of becoming a victim to violence, there are useful things to remember