Title

Sexual Violence Resources

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Sexual assault policy and programs

M State's policy on sexual abuse and harassment is governed by Minnesota State system Board Policy 1B.3 Sexual Violence.

In support of the system policy, M State will not tolerate sexual abuse and harassment. Every effort will be made to assure that all members of the college community are provided an atmosphere free from sexual abuse and harassment, and educational efforts will be undertaken to inform employees and students of their responsibilities regarding such behavior, how to identify and eliminate potential sexual abuse and harassment and what steps can be taken in instances when sexual abuse and harassment are experienced.

M State conducts a number of programs designed to prevent sexual offenses and to make the community aware of the potential of such crimes. These programs may include inspecting the campuses for potentially dangerous areas, including lighting and landscaping. In addition, educational programs concerning sexual assault are provided through various college offices (student life, residential life, counseling, etc.).

A guiding principle in the reporting of sexual assault is to avoid re-victimizing the sexual assault survivor by forcing the person into any plan of action. Sexual assault survivors may contact Student Development Services on any campus, Counseling (Fergus Falls and Moorhead) or community agencies for assistance.

Sections

Contact an M State counselor

If you are a victim of a sexual assault and wish to speak to a confidential employee, please contact one of the following M State counselors

Tom Dubbels, counselor: tom.dubbels@443693.com, 218.299.6516

Steve Lindgren, counselor: steve.lindgren@443693.com, 218.736.1539

Maronda Robertson, counselor: maronda.robertson@443693.com, 218.299.6618

Contact the Title IX coordinator or submit a report

Students, or prospective students, may contact Kara Helmig or submit a Title IX Sexual Violence Incident Report

Kara Helmig, Title IX and Cleary compliance director: kara.helmig@443693.com 218.299.6522

Contact the vice president of human resources

Employees, or prospective employees, may contact Dacia Johnson or submit a Title IX Sexual Violence Incident Report

Dacia Johnson, vice president of human resources: dacia.johnson@443693.com, 218.736.1512

Federal Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights

Know your rights under Title IX and M State's sexual violence policies

M State is committed to preventing sexual violence, discrimination and harassment, and we will respond to reports of sexual misconduct. M State fully abides by all state and federal laws, including Title IX and the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

If you or anyone you know has been the victim of sexual assault call someone you trust, one of M State's confidential resources or local law enforcement.

Definitions

What can I do if I am the target of discrimination or harassment?

If you feel physically threatened, remove yourself from the situation and seek help immediately.

Detroit Lakes Campus - Dial 911

Fergus Falls Campus - Campus security 218.770.9861 or dial 911

Moorhead Campus - Campus security 218.477.2449 or dial 911

Wadena Campus - Dial 911

If the situation is not physically threatening and you feel comfortable talking to the individual, tell them you're offended by the comment or behavior and ask them to stop.

If you're not comfortable talking directly to the individual, you can identify a third party whom you and the other individual mutually respect and ask for their assistance in helping the two of you talk through the behavior and why you found it offensive.

You should document incidents of discrimination and harassment immediately after they occur: who, when, where, what was said or done, and the names of any witnesses.

Procedures for campus disciplinary action for sex offenses

The college disciplinary process is an option for any individual wishing to report a case of student misconduct, there is a separate process for reports of sexual assault. Both processes require a written complaint must be filed (by the complainant or third party) in order for M State to proceed with the student disciplinary process or investigation of a sexual assault. If the complaint is criminal in nature, it may also be forwarded to law enforcement.

There are standards of proof that must be met for the college process, those standards are different that the standards of proof that must be met for possible criminal action. The college process determines if the accused's status as a student will be altered, suspended or terminated; whereas the criminal process determines if there will limitations on the accused's liberty. As there are different standards and the purpose each proceeding is different, M State encourages students who are the victim of sexual assault to go forward with the College process.

Both the accuser and the accused are entitled to have others present (an advocate or advisor, not legal representation) during the investigation. This person may not speak on your behalf.

Both the accuser and accused have the right to provide the names of witnesses that may be helpful to the employee conducting the investigation.

Both the accuser and the accused will be notified when the investigation has concluded and an outcome has been determined. This information is not generally disclosed to the public.

Sanctions may include, but are not limited to: counseling, specific assessments, suspension or expulsion from the college, limited activity at the college, and referral to law enforcement agencies for prosecution of charges.

Information about level 3 offenders can be found at the National Sex Offenders Registry at www.nsopw.gov. Information about level 2 offenders can be obtained from local law enforcement.

Sexual offender levels
Get help from local agencies or call a hotline

Minnesota sexual assault data report

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) publishes a Sexual Assault Data Report per Minnesota State Statute 135A.15, Subd. 6 that contains information about sexual assaults on college campuses in the state of Minnesota. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education policy for compliance with federal and state laws governing access to student records is to suppress student data in cells containing fewer than 10 students. When "<10" is displayed in the data reports that follow, the data for that cell is suppressed to protect student identity in compliance with federal and state privacy laws. Additionally, if only one cell in a column is suppressed, the cell with the second lowest count also will be suppressed to prevent identification.

M State follows the OHE practice for compliance with federal and state laws governing access to student records. In the OHE Sexual Assault Data Report, M State is listed as a singular college rather than by each individual campus.