Prevention & Education
Title IX

Be an active bystander: An active bystander makes an active choice to step into a situation where they can be helpful or protective of another individual.

Become an active bystander

Sexual, inter-partner, and gender-based violence impact diverse groups differently.

• Indigenous communities face violence at a different rate than non-indigenous communities. One-third of indigenous women and relatives report having experienced sexual violence in their life time.
• The LQBTQIAA2+ community faces higher rates of sexual violence. 61% of bisexual women report facing sexual violence, stalking, and physical violence. This compares to 35% of straight identifying women. 47% of bisexual men report the same versus 21% of straight identifying men.
• It is estimated that 2 out of every 5 (39%) of Folx who identify as female experience sexual violence had a disability at the time of the assault. Approximately 24% of men identifying folx who experience sexual violence also reported having a disability at the time of the assault.
• For every woman of color who reports a rape, there is an estimated 15 more women who chose to not report. 40-60% of black women report experiencing assault (coercive sexual contact) by the age of 18 years old.
• According to the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN), approximately every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.

• Coercion and threats
  • Makes/carries out physical threats
  • Threatens to leave or commit suicide, or report to welfare
  • Makes you perform illegal activities
  • Makes you drop charges
• Intimidation
  • Makes you afraid by using looks, actions, gestures
  • Destroys property and smashes things
  • Abuses pets
  • Displays weapons
• Emotional abuse
  • Puts you down
  • Makes you feel bad about yourself
  • Makes you think you're crazy
  • Calls you names
  • Humiliates you
  • Makes you feel guilty
  • Plays mind games
• Isolation
  • Limits your outside involvement
  • Uses jealousy to justify actions
  • Controls what you do, who you see, what you read, where you go, who you talk to
  • Says that no one will believe you
• Minimizing, denying, and blaming
  • Does not take your concerns seriously
  • Shifts responsibility
  • Says it's your fault and you caused what they did
  • Says the abuse did not happen
  • Jokes about the abuse
• Using children
  • Makes you feel guilt about the children
  • Uses children as messengers
  • Threatens to take the kids
  • Uses visitation to harass you
• Privilege
  • Treats you like an object or servant
  • Makes all the big decisions
  • Is the only one to define roles or duties in the relationship
  • Uses privilege to discredit you or use the system against you
• Economic abuse
  • Makes you ask for money
  • Uses your credit cards
  • Does not allow you to know or have access to any income
  • Prevents you from getting or keeping a job
  • Won't work and requires you to provide support

• Use "I" statements
• Recognize and acknowledge your inability to understand from their perspective
• Assume people carry more trauma than they tell you about
• Practice self-care so you can be a steward
• Avoid giving advice
• Make sure you are both in a safe space to talk and process
• Know your boundaries and be prepared to get someone to the proper resource

• Consent: Affirmative and voluntary words or action that create a mutually understandable agreement to clearly engage in sexual activity
• Boundary: A persons limits based on needs, beliefs, and personal autonomy.
• Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome and Nonconsensual conduct of a sexual nature.
• Inter-Partner Violence: Violence between two or more parties engaged in a sexual or intimate relationship. (Ie. Dating violence or Domestic Violence)
• Sexual Coercion: using pressure, alcohol, or drugs to force sexual contact against an individuals will.
• Stalking: Willful and repeated behavior of harassment or discomfort towards another individual causing emotional distress.
• Discrimination: Unjust/prejudicial treatment of an individual(s) on the grounds of race, age, sex, gender, etc.
• Harassment: Unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic including sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc.
• Privilege: having access to unearned benefits and resources by being a member of a historically dominating group with "social power"
• Active Bystander: An individual who makes an active choice to step into a situation where they can be helpful or protective of another individual.
• Retaliation: the action or intent of harming someone because they have harmed you or someone you care for.
• Complainant: An Individual who is alleged to be the victim or conduct that could constitute Sexual Harassment or Gender Based Discrimination.
• Respondent: An individual who has been reported as the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute Sexual Harassment of Gender Based Violence.
• Party: Individual involved in a Title IX Complaint as a Complainant or Respondent.
• Mandatory Reporter: An FLC representative (Staff, Student, or Faculty) who has a legal obligation to report alleged conduct falling under Title IX, including retaliation.
• Formal Complaint: A document filed by a Complainant requesting an institution provide an investigation.
• Supportive Measures: Non-punitive or disciplinary service or resource offered to parties to support equitable access to education.
• Process: Due to the changing Title IX process please see our guide to the process (Ex. Formal or Informal)
• Notice: Via campus email, parties will receive a written notice of the process, allegations, and supportive measures.
• Advisor or Advocate: An individual or group of individuals providing emotional and process support during a Title IX process.
• Sanctions: Outcomes of a process attempting to rectify or provide justice if the code of conduct is found to be violated.
• Coordinator: A neutral individual appointed by an institution to coordinate the Title IX process, supportive measures, and other resources. They provide access to due process.