Section 3: Assistance Following an Incident of Sexual Misconduct
The College offers assistance and non-judgmental support to any party involved in a claim of Sexual Misconduct. Both complainants and respondents can expect to be treated with care and respect from the time the College becomes aware of an incident, through the entire process and afterwards. All parties are encouraged to utilize both on-campus and off-campus resources for assistance.
The College shall take prompt steps, as necessary, to protect a Complainant once the College has notice of a claim of Sexual Misconduct. The College shall take supportive measures, including academic, residential, labor, and workplace accommodations, to protect the Complainant and witnesses as necessary while any criminal or campus investigation is underway and before the outcome of any investigation. In the event of an alleged off-campus Sexual Misconduct incident affecting one or more members of the College community, the College shall endeavor to protect the Complainant and the College community in the same manner as if the Sexual Misconduct had occurred on campus.
a. Immediate Assistance - In the event of Sexual Misconduct, various resources are available to students and other victims:
- Trained on- and off-campus counselors who can provide an immediate confidential response in a crisis and persons who can accompany a victim to the hospital or other health care provider:
College Counseling Services: 859-985-3212 (on-campus, ext. 3212) *After hours/holidays, call Public Safety (ext. 3333) and ask to speak to the on-call counselor.
College Chaplains (in the Campus Christian Center): 859-985-3134 (on-campus, ext. 3134) *After hours/holidays, call Public Safety (ext. 3333) and ask to speak to a chaplain.
Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center: 1-800-656-4673
Bluegrass Regional Comprehensive Care, Richmond: 859-623-9367
- Emergency phone numbers for on and off-campus safety, law enforcement and other first responders, including the Title VII/IX Coordinator:
Campus Safety/Police: 859-985-3333 (on-campus ext. 3333)
Local (Berea) Police: 859-986-8456
Ambulance: 911
Title VII/IX Coordinator: 859-228-2323 (on-campus ext. 2323)
- Health care services are available as follows:
Off-Campus: (White House Clinic): 859-985-1415 *After hours/holidays, call St. Joseph Hospital Berea (859-986-3151) and ask for the Physician on-call for Berea College health services.
Off-Campus: (St. Joseph's Hospital -Berea) 859-986-3151
- A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) can be found or a rape kit can be obtained at:
Off-Campus: (St. Joseph’s Hospital – Berea): Can be requested in the Emergency Room, 859-986-3151 (Hospital Main number) or 859-986-6527/6528 (Emergency Room).
Off- Campus: (Baptist Health – Richmond): Can be requested in the Emergency Room, 859-623-3131 (Hospital Main number) or 859-625-3290 (Emergency Services).
Any victim of Sexual Misconduct should be aware of the options to seek treatment for injuries, preventative treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, and other services. Victims are encouraged to discuss with health care providers, campus officials, and/or first responders the option of seeking medical treatment to preserve evidence.
b. The preservation of evidence in incidents of certain sexual misconduct is critical to potential criminal prosecution and to obtaining restraining orders, and particularly time sensitive. Berea College informs the Complainants of the importance of preserving evidence by taking the following actions:
- Seek forensic medical assistance at the Berea Hospital or other local medical facility, ideally within 120 hours of the incident (sooner is better)
- Avoid showering, bathing, washing hands or face, or douching, if possible, (but evidence may still be collected even if you do).
- Try not to urinate.
- If oral sexual contact took place, refrain from smoking, eating, drinking, or brushing teeth.
- If clothes are changed, place soiled clothes in a paper bag (plastic destroys evidence).
- Seeking medical treatment can be essential even if it is not for the purposes of collecting forensic evidence.
During the initial meeting between the Complainant and the Title VII/IX Coordinator, the importance of taking these actions will be reiterated, if timely.
The College will provide counseling services without charge to a Complainant if the College determines that counseling is necessary as a part of its obligation to protect the Complainant while the investigation is ongoing. First responders shall consult with Complainants regarding what information needs to be withheld to protect each person’s identity. The College shall notify the Complainant of options to avoid contact with the Respondent and allow Complainant to change academic and extracurricular activities or Complainant’s living, transportation, labor, or workplace situation as feasible. The College shall ensure that the Complainant is aware of (a) the Complainant’s Title VII or Title IX rights, (b) any available resources, such as victim advocacy, housing assistance, academic support, counseling, disability services, health and mental health services, and referrals to legal assistance, and (c) the right to report a crime to campus or local law enforcement. The College shall not dissuade a Complainant from filing a criminal complaint at any time before, during or after the College’s internal investigation.
c. Ongoing Assistance
- Counseling, Advocacy and Support (On and Off Campus)
- Counseling and support services for victims of Sexual Misconduct determined to be reasonably necessary by the College, whether a victim chooses to make an official report or participate in the College’s disciplinary process or criminal process, include:
College Counseling Services: 859-985-3212 (on-campus, ext. 3212) *After hours/holidays, call Public Safety (ext. 3333) and ask to speak to the on-call counselor.
College Chaplains (in the Campus Christian Center): 859-985-3134 (on-campus, ext. 3134) *After hours/holidays, call Public Safety (ext. 3333) and ask to speak to a chaplain.
Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center: 1-800-656-4673
Bluegrass Regional Comprehensive Care, Richmond: 859-623-9367
- Confidential counseling, advocacy, health, mental health, or sexual-misconduct-related sources, can be found both on and off campus as follows:
College Counseling Services: 859-985-3212 (on-campus, ext. 3212) *After hours/holidays, call Public Safety (ext. 3333) and ask to speak to the on-call counselor.
College Chaplains (in the Campus Christian Center): 859-985-3134 (on-campus, ext. 3134) *After hours/holidays, call Public Safety (ext. 3333) and ask to speak to a chaplain.
Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center: 1-800-656-4673
Bluegrass Regional Comprehensive Care, Richmond: 859-623-9367
- Ongoing support during the College’s disciplinary process or the criminal process (for complainants or respondents) can be found as follows:
College Counseling Services: 859-985-3212 (on-campus, ext. 3212) *After hours/holidays, call Public Safety (ext. 3333) and ask to speak to the on-call counselor.
College Chaplains (in the Campus Christian Center): 859-985-3134 (on-campus, ext. 3134) *After hours/holidays, call Public Safety (ext. 3333) and ask to speak to a chaplain.
Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center: 1-800-656-4673
Bluegrass Regional Comprehensive Care, Richmond: 859-623-9367
- Academic Accommodation and Other Supportive Measures
- The College can provide immediate steps and interim measures to ensure the safety and well-being of both parties, such as no contact orders, the ability (for students) to change residence halls, labor schedules, alter academic schedules, withdraw from/retake a class without penalty, access academic support (e.g., tutoring) and (for faculty or staff) change workplace schedules/arrangements.
- The College may be able to provide additional supportive measures for any party, such as no contact orders and (for students) changing the respondent's living arrangements, course schedule, or labor assignment or (for faculty or staff) changing workplace schedules/arrangements.