Your Rights & Responsibilities

SEXUAL HARASSMENT/SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Sexual harassment/sexual violence of employees and students at Iowa Lakes Community College is defined as any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: 

• Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s academic evaluation or employment. 
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for academic decisions or employment affecting that individual. 
• Acts of domestic violence, dating violence, and or stalking. 
• Such conduct has the purpose of or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s educational experience or work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive education or work environment. 

EXAMPLES 

Verbal: sexual innuendo, suggestive comments, insults, threats, jokes or derogatory comments based on gender; sexual propositions or advances; pressure for sexual favors. 
Nonverbal: posting of sexually suggestive or derogatory pictures, cartoons or drawings, making suggestive or insulting noises, leering, whistling, or making obscene gestures. 
Physical: touching, pinching, squeezing, patting, brushing against body; impeding or blocking normal work or movement; coercing sexual intercourse; stalking or assault. 

Persons who feel that they have been a victim of sexual violence under the above definition and wish further information or assistance in filing a complaint, should contact their Title IX Officer, campus counselor, campus dean or supervisor. All complaints will be investigated promptly, impartially, and confidentially. Upon completion of the investigation, parties will be notified of the finding in writing simultaneously. 

• No student or employee will suffer retaliation for reporting alleged instances of sexual harassment at Iowa Lakes Community College. 
• Individuals, either or both parties can appeal any disciplinary action resulting from the procedure. 

The standard of proof that exists for campus disciplinary proceedings is preponderance of evidence, (i.e., more likely than not the event/s occurred).

If a complainant requests that his or her name not be revealed to the respondent or asks Iowa Lakes not to investigate or seek action against the respondent, Iowa Lakes will be limited in its ability to respond fully to the incident.

Iowa Lakes Community College will not tolerate the sexual abuse/violence of students, faculty, and/or staff at any of its campuses, facilities and/or activities. It is the policy at Iowa Lakes to provide education to help prevent, facilitate the reporting of and provide information on counseling concerning sexual abuse. 

The Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1989 definition of sexual abuse: 
Sexual abuse is an act of sexual conduct by the use of force or threat of force or where the victim was unable to understand the nature of the act or otherwise unable to give knowing consent. (This definition will vary as this crime is defined in state law.)

Referral and advocacy services are available for any member of the Iowa Lakes student body, staff, or faculty, who believes he or she has been the victim of sexual abuse. Some of the referral and advocacy services are: 

Council for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (available 24 hours/day, 365 days/year) 

• Algona 800-479-9071 
• Emmetsburg 712-852-4612 
• Estherville 712-362-4612 
• Spencer 712-262-4612 
• Spirit Lake 712-336-1255 

Domestic Sexual Assault Outreach, Fort Dodge 

• 515-573-8000

National Victim Center’s Lawyer Referral Line 

• 800-FYI-CALL 

Iowa Domestic Violence Hotline 

• 800-942-0333 

National Domestic Violence Hotline 

• 800-799-SAFE (7233)

The Title IX Officer is responsible for initiating the investigation of complaints of sexual misconduct under this policy, monitoring the response of other campus offices involved in sexual misconduct complaints, and for responding to complaints of retaliation connected to the reporting or filing of a complaint. 

To file a complaint of gender based discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct: 

Kathy Muller 
Executive Director of Human Resources, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Officer, Equity Coordinator
Phone: 712-362-0433 
Fax: 712-362-0480 
Email: kmuller@iowalakes.educreate new email