Catawba Valley Community College is committed to the maintenance of an environment that
is supportive of its primary educational mission and free from all exploitation and intimidation. The
college will not tolerate rape, sexual assault, or other forcible and non-forcible sex offenses and
supports this policy for students, faculty and staff by sponsoring prevention, intervention, and education
programs specifically addressing these offenses. Information and awareness programs are offered at various
times by way of a variety of events throughout the year. The College 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.
Definitions of Sex Offenses
Sex Offenses Forcible
Any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against
that person's will; or not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is
incapable of giving consent.
Forcible Rape - The carnal knowledge of a person, forcibly and/or
against that person's will; or not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim
is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical
incapacity (or because of youth).
Forcible Sodomy - Oral or anal sexual intercourse with another person,
forcibly and/or against that person's will; or not forcibly against the person's will
where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of youth or because of
temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.
Sexual Assault With An Object - The use of an object or instrument to
unlawfully penetrate, however slightly, the genital or anal opening of the body of
another person, forcibly and/or against that person's will; or not forcibly or against
the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of youth or
because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.
Forcible Fondling - The touching of the private body parts of another
person for the purpose of sexual gratification, forcibly and/or against that person's
will; or not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is incapable of
giving consent because of youth or because of temporary or permanent mental incapacity.
Sex Offenses - Non-forcible
Unlawful, non-forcible sexual intercourse.
Incest - Non-forcible sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other
within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law.
Statutory Rape - Non-forcible sexual intercourse with a person who is
under the statutory age of consent.
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 Campus 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 Dean of Student Services.
Seek medical treatment immediately (preferably within 72 hours).
Following the above suggestions will ensure the preservation of evidence. Victims of
sexual assault are encouraged to contact campus security, local law enforcement or Student Services
immediately following an incident. A report may be filed with 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.
Options available to sexual assault victims are resolution through the College's
Policy and Procedure Manual and/or the judicial system (criminal and/or civil). Catawba Valley
Community College will assist in pursuing option(s) elected by the victim. The College and the courts
are independent systems; charges may be filed in either or both systems.
If an assault victim does not wish to pursue action with the College or the judicial
system, the victim may make an anonymous report. With the victim's permission, the College 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, the College
can keep accurate records about the number of incidents involving students, determine where there is a
pattern of assaults with regard to a particular location, method, or assailant, and alert the campus
community to potential danger.
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
Taking Action for a Sexual Violation
To begin a college action where both the victim and the alleged perpetrator are
students, the victim should file a complaint for sexual assault with the Dean of Student Services. An
immediate investigation shall follow. Due process procedures as outlined in the Policy and Procedure
Manual, Section 4.62 and 4.652 will apply except as follows: (a) the composition of the Appeals
Committee shall have at least one (1) member that is the same gender as the victim, (b) a decision
should be made within thirty (30) days on a complaint for sexual assault, and (c) an attempt will be
made to communicate due process outcomes in person (to both the victim and the alleged perpetrator),
(d) an appropriate treatment program may be a condition of a probation or suspension.
To begin a college action where the victim is a student and the alleged perpetrator
is a College employee, the victim should file a complaint for sexual assault with the Dean of Student
Services. An immediate investigation shall follow. Due process procedures as outlined in the Policy and
Procedure Manual, Sections 6.73, 6.731, and 6.8 will apply except as follows: (a) the composition of
the Hearing Committee shall have at least one (1) member of the same gender as the victim, (b) a
decision should be made within thirty (30) days on a complaint for sexual assault, and (c) an attempt
will be made to communicate due process outcomes in person (to both the victim and the alleged
perpetrator).
Because of the traumatic nature of sexual assault, victims are encouraged to
seek immediate counseling. The Rape Crisis Center provides counseling and group
services free of charge.
Student Services will assist victims with any academic concerns or change in
class schedule requests that are feasible.
College personnel will observe the following guidelines when responding to a sexual assault report:
Assess the victim's well being, render aid, and express concern and assurance.
Notify the Director of Campus Security and/or the Dean of Student Services.
Identify the assailant if possible.
DO NOT QUESTION THE VICTIM ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT; OTHER TRAINED PERSONNEL WILL DO THIS.
Make sure the victim is in a secure place.
Identify the location of the crime.
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:
The person's name, address, telephone number and date of birth,
The item given to you,
The time and location where the person seized the item,
The time you received the item, and
Document chain of custody of the evidence.
Encourage the victim to seek medical treatment (preferably within 72 hrs.)
Assist law enforcement or medical personnel responding to the incident as needed.
Approved by the CVCC Board of Trustees on May 24, 2001
