Catawba Valley Community College - Safety and Security Procedures

Safety and Security Procedures

Reporting a Crime, Emergency, or Safety Concern
Community members, students, faculty, staff, and visitors are encouraged to report all crimes, emergencies, and safety concerns to the Campus Safety and Security Office in a timely manner.

Reports may be made by calling extension 711 from phones on the Main Campus and East Campus phone network, by calling 828-327-7000 extension 711 from other phones including those at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education and the Newton Center, or in person at the Campus Safety and Security Office located on the Main Campus in the Cuyler A. Dunbar Building (Rooms 128, 131, and 132). Crimes and emergencies at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education should also be reported to the Taylorsville Police Department at 828-632-2218.

A crime, emergency, or safety concern may also be reported to the following CVCC officials.
Director of Campus Safety and Security – Phone 828-327-7000 ext. 4610 – Office CAD128
Vice President of Student and Technology Services – Phone 828-327-7000 ext. 4219 – Office CAD138
Director of the CVCC Alexander Center for Education – Phone 828-632-8221

To report a non-emergency security or safety concern, call the Campus Director of Safety and Security by phone 828-327-7000 ext. 4610 or report in person at Cuyler A. Dunbar Building Office 128.

All incident reports involving students are forwarded to the Chief Student Services Officer for review and potential CVCC disciplinary action.

If assistance is required from other law enforcement, local fire departments, or other emergency agencies, the Campus Safety and Security Office will contact the appropriate unit.

If a sexual assault or rape should occur, CVCC will offer the victim a wide variety of services. CVCC is a partner with a local Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and has trained members who are available to assist a victim.

CVCC operates no off-campus housing and does not have off-campus student organizations. On-campus student organizations that engage in off-campus activities should report crime incidents to the local law enforcement agency where the incident occurred and also to the Campus Safety and Security Office.

Employees participating in CVCC sponsored off-campus activities should report crime incidents to the local law enforcement agency where the crime occurred and also to the Campus Safety and Security Office.

Crimes should be reported to the Campus Safety and Security Office to ensure inclusion in the CVCC’s annual crime statistics and to aid in providing timely warning notices to the community when appropriate. For example, a campus crime that was reported only to a local rape crisis center would not be included in CVCC’s crime statistics.

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Confidential Reporting Procedures
If you are the victim of a crime and do not want to pursue action through CVCC or the criminal justice system, you may still want to consider making a confidential report. With your permission, the Director of Campus Safety and Security can file a report on the details of the incident without revealing your identity. The purpose of a confidential report is to comply with your wish to keep the matter confidential, while taking steps to ensure the future safety of yourself and others. With such information, CVCC can keep an accurate record of the number of incidents involving students, faculty, staff, and visitors; determine where there is a pattern of crime with regard to a particular location, method, or assailant; and alert the campus community to potential danger. Reports filed in this manner are counted and disclosed in the annual crime statistics for CVCC. CVCC does not have counselors who are not required to report crimes for inclusion in CVCC crime statistics. Students may contact the Chief Student Services Officer for information on local agencies and counseling services who may provide confidential counseling services. Faculty/staff may contact the CVCC Personnel Department for information regarding confidential counseling services.

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Timely Warnings
A timely warning will be issued by the Director of Campus Safety and Security when a situation arises that in the judgment of the Director of Campus Safety and Security constitutes an ongoing or continuing threat. The warning will be issued in the following manner:

By notice on the Main Campus and East Campus internal television network
By notice on the CVCC main web page – www.cvcc.edu
By notice on bulletin boards at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education and at the Newton Center
By e-mail to curriculum students at their CVCC student e-mail account
By e-mail to faculty and staff at their CVCC e-mail account

A timely warning will include the reported offense, the location of the reported offense, the date of the reported offense if known, a description of suspects if available, and any other information that would promote safety. Anyone with information which may warrant a timely warning should report that information to the CVCC Campus Safety and Security Office. Reports may be made by calling extension 711 from phones on the Main Campus and East Campus phone network, by calling 828-327-7000 extension 711 from other phones including those at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education and the Newton Center, or in person at the CVCC Campus Safety and Security Office located on the Main Campus in the Cuyler A. Dunbar Building (Rooms 128, 131, and 132)

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Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics
The CVCC Campus Safety and Security Office prepares this report to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. The full text of this report can be located on our web site http://www.cvcc.edu/About_Us/Safety_And_Security/Safety_Security.cfm.

This report is prepared in cooperation with the law enforcement agencies in Catawba County and Alexander County. Campus crime, arrest and referral statistics include those reported to the Campus Safety and Security Office and to local law enforcement agencies. Each year, notice regarding the availability of this report is provided to employees, students, prospective employees, and prospective students in the following manner:

To currently enrolled curriculum students by e-mail to their CVCC student e-mail account
To current employees by e-mail to their CVCC e-mail account
To currently enrolled students in non-credit courses by postcard through the U.S. Postal Service except for those non-credit students who are also currently enrolled curriculum students and who are notified by e-mail to their CVCC student e-mail account
To prospective employees during the hiring process
To prospective students when they apply for admission to a curriculum program or when they register for a non-credit course.

The notice includes a brief summary of the report’s content, instructions to request a paper copy, and the direct web address (URL) of the report.

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Sexual Offense/Assault Protocol
Catawba Valley Community College (“CVCC”) recognizes the importance of assisting individuals who are victims of sexual assault and helping them to regain a sense of personal control over their lives and decisions.
CVCC Sexual Offense Policy
CVCC Sexual Harassment Policy

Reporting Sexual Assault
If you are sexually assaulted, you should do the following:

Go to a safe place.
Do not shower or bathe.
Do not urinate, if possible.
Do not eat, drink, smoke or brush your teeth if oral contact took place.
Do not destroy or wash the clothes you were wearing. If you change, place your clothes in a paper bag.
Contact CVCC Campus Safety and Security, local law enforcement (Catawba County Sheriff’s Department, Hickory Police Department, Newton Police Department, Alexander County Sheriff’s Department, or Taylorsville Police Department) or the Executive Officer of Student Services.
Seek medical treatment immediately (preferably within 72 hours).

Following the above suggestions will ensure the preservation of evidence. Victims of a sexual offense/assault are encouraged to contact CVCC Campus Security, local law enforcement or CVCC Student Services immediately following an incident. A report may be filed with CVCC Campus Security and/or local law enforcement. The filing of a report does not obligate the victim to pursue charges, but does make filing of charges easier at a later date. Sexual offense/assault victims may seek action through the CVCC conduct and disciplinary policies and/or the judicial system (criminal and/or civil). CVCC will assist in pursuing option(s) elected by the victim. CVCC and the courts are independent systems; charges may be filed in either or both systems. If a sexual offense/assault victim does not wish to pursue action through CVCC or the judicial system, the victim may make an anonymous report. With the victim’s permission, CVCC can file a report on the details of the incident without revealing the victim’s identity. This type of anonymous report helps to ensure the future safety of the victim and others. With such information, CVCC can keep accurate records regarding the number of incidents involving students, determine where there is a pattern of sexual offenses/assaults with regard to a particular location, method, or assailant, and alert the campus community to potential danger.

Because of the traumatic nature of a sexual offense/assault, victims are encouraged to seek immediate counseling. The Rape Crisis Center provides counseling and group services free of charge.

Response to Sexual Assault
CVCC personnel shall observe the following guidelines when responding to a sexual assault report.

Assess the victim’s well being, render aid, and express concern and assurance.
Encourage the victim to seek medical treatment (preferably within 72 hrs.)
Do not question the victim about the details of the incident. Questioning will be handled by trained personnel.
Notify the Director of Campus Safety and Security and/or the Executive Officer of Student Services.
Identify the assailant if possible.
Make sure the victim is in a secure place.
Identify the location of the crime.
Assist law enforcement or medical personnel responding to the incident as needed.
Do not touch, move or collect any evidence unless that evidence may be lost if you do not. If you have to collect evidence, record the following information:

Item seized,
Time seized, and
Location seized.

If evidence is given to you, record the following information:
1. The person’s name, address, telephone number and date of birth,
2. The item given to you,
3. The time and location where the person seized the item,
4. The time you received the item, and
5. Document chain of custody of the evidence.

Victim’s Rights

To have all incidents and medical records kept confidential
To be treated without prejudice based upon race, class, lifestyle, sex, age, occupation, or religious beliefs
To receive private and confidential examination/treatment for personal injuries, sexually transmittable disease, and pregnancy.
To be considered as credible as a person reporting any other crime
To be made aware of the options available through the College and the judicial system
To receive emotional and psychological support and advocacy
To prosecute or not to prosecute
To receive current information on community and campus resources
To answer only those questions relevant to the crime
To freedom from harassment
To feasible class schedule adjustments (without academic or financial penalty) as necessary to minimize the potential for contact with the alleged perpetrator or those associated with the alleged perpetrator. Student Services will assist victims with any academic concerns or change in class schedule requests that are feasible.

Child Sexual Offense/Assault
North Carolina Law [NC General Statute 7B-301 and 115C-400] requires reporting of any known or suspected case of child abuse or neglect (a child is an unmarried victim under age 18) by a “parent, guardian, custodian or caretaker” to the local Department of Social Services within 24 hours.

Chapter 7B - North Carolina General Statutes
Chapter 115C - North Carolina General Statutes

North Carolina Law [NC General Statute 108A-102] also requires reporting of any known or suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of disabled adults (age 18 and over) by their caretaker to the Department of Social Services. The disability can be mental or physical, as long as it prevents the adult from obtaining essential services.

Chapter 108A - North Carolina General Statutes

Even though the law requires reporting of abuse, neglect and exploitation of minors and disabled adults only in certain situations, CVCC feels that ethically all suspected incidences should be reported. Therefore the established protocol of CVCC is to report any suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of minors and disabled adults to the Department of Social Services within 24 hours. Because of the traumatic nature of sexual assault, victims will be referred to the Rape Crisis Center to assist with counseling, support, advocacy, education, etc.

Resources for Victims of Sexual Offense/Assault
Emergency
911

Catawba Valley Community College
CVCC Campus Emergency
711

CVCC Campus Safety and Security Office
828-327-7000 ext. 4300 or 4243
http://www.cvcc.edu/About_Us/Safety_And_Security/Safety_Security.cfm

Executive Officer of Student Services
828-327-7000 ext. 4143

Student Services
828-327-7000 ext. 4216

Crisis Centers
Catawba County
828-322-6011
http://www.rapecrisiscenter.com/

Family Guidance Center – 1st Step Domestic Violence Services
(828) 322-1400
http://www.fgcservices.com/

Alexander County
Domestic Violence Resource Center
Rape Crisis & Domestic Violence Services
( 828) 635-8850
http://www.dvrcalexander.org/

Children’s Services
Child Advocacy Center
(828) 465-9296
http://www.catawbacountycac.org/site/

Law Enforcement
Catawba County
Catawba County Sheriff’s Dept.
828-464-5241
http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/shf/

Hickory Police Dept.
(828) 323-7400
http://www.hickorygov.com/department/?fDD=16-0

Hickory Police Dept. – Victim Services
(828) 234-2060 or (828) 328-5551 (Patrol Watch Commander) http://www.hickorygov.com/egov/docs/1232727322561.htm

Newton Police Department
828-465-7430
http://www.newtonnc.gov/dept/police/default.asp

Alexander County
Alexander County Sheriff’s Department
828-632-4658
http://www.alexandercountync.gov/sheriff.php

Taylorsville Police Dept.
(8280 632-2218
http://www.taylorsvillenc.com/policeDept.htm

Medical/Hospitals
Catawba Valley Medical Center
Emergency Services
828-326-3850

Frye Regional Medical Center
Emergency Services
828-315-3190
http://www.fryemedctr.com/enus/ourServices/medicalServices/Pages/emergencyServices.aspx

Information & Financial Assistance
National Center for Victims of Crime
Crime Victims Compensation Commission
Victim and Justice Services
Department of Crime Control and Public Safety
(919) 733-7974
1-800-826-6200 (in-state only, victim’s line)
http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentID=32351#2

NC Dept. of Crime, Control, & Public Safety
Rape Victims Assistance Program
1-800-826-6200
http://www.nccrimecontrol.org/Index2.cfm?a=000003,000016,000169

SAVAN (Statewide Automated Victim Assistance & Notification)
1-877-627-2826
http://www.ncsavan.org/

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
1-800-656-HOPE
http://www.rainn.org/

NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault
(919) 888-737-2272
http://www.nccasa.org/

NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Eastern Office in Durham (919) 956-9124 or 1-888-232-9124
Western Office in Ashville (828) 505-3708
http://www.nccadv.org/default.htm

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