If you become the victim of a sexual assault on or off campus:

1. Get to a safe place.
2. Contact the Palomar College Police Department or your local police agency, if off campus, by dialing
3.  Do not shower, bathe, douche, change or destroy clothing.
4. Do not straighten or clean-up the area.
5. Seek medical attention.
6. Seek emotional support from local Rape Crisis Centers:

   1. Center for Community Solutions – (888) 385-4657

   2. Women’s Resource Center – (760) 757-3500

How to Report a Sexual Assault on Campus

If you are the victim of a rape or sexual assault contact PCPD on a district phone by dialing 2289, or by calling 760-891-7273. PCPD will coordinate with local law enforcement and/or assist you with seeking medical treatment.

All forms of sexual violence are violations of the Palomar College Student Code of Conduct.  The Palomar College Police Department treats all victims with respect and dignity. If a sexual assault should occur on campus, staff on scene, including PCPD, will  offer the  victim  a wide  range  of services. College personnel will assist the victim  in notifying  appropriate law enforcement  authorities, and Title IX Coordinator, if the victim requests the assistance of these personnel. If you or someone you know has been victimized on campus, you are strongly encouraged to report the incident to PCPD. Filing a report does not commit you to pursue an investigation or prosecution and PCPD will respect your decision.

The Palomar College Police Department shall provide all alleged victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking with the following upon request:

• A copy of the District’s policy and procedure regarding sexual assault
• A list of personnel on campus who should be notified of the assault and procedures for

such notification, if the alleged victim consents. The Chief of Police or designee shall notify the following individuals, as applicable:

• Superintendent/President
• Vice President of Student Services
• Vice President of Human Resources Services, Title IX Coordinator
• Director of Student Affairs
• Director, Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs

Services include:

• Facilitate transportation to a hospital, if necessary
• Referral to a counseling center
• Notification to appropriate police authorities, if desired
• A list of other available campus and off-campus resources

Sexual Assault and Prohibited Acts of Conduct

The District shall maintain the identity of any alleged victim or witness of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking on District property  confidential, unless the alleged victim or witness specifically waives that right to confidentiality. All inquiries from reporters or other media representatives about alleged sexual assaults on District property shall be referred to the  PIO  who  shall  work  with the Palomar  College Police Department to assure that all confidentiality rights are maintained.

The reasons for reporting the crime to PCPD are:

• To take action which may prevent further crimes being committed including issuing a Timely Warning to the Campus Community.
• Coordinate the investigation to apprehend the suspect.
• To have the crime recorded for reporting as part of the Clery Act.

Note: Reporting a crime is separate from choosing to prosecute.

Victims’ Rights

The California Constitution confers certain rights to victims of crime (Marcy’s Law). For a full list of these rights refer Marcy’s Law . Examples of these rights include, but are not limited to:

Fairness and Respect

To be treated with fairness and respect for his or her privacy and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse throughout the criminal or juvenile justice process.

Protection from the Defendant

To be reasonably protected from the defendant and persons acting on behalf of the defendant.

Prevention of Disclosure of Confidential Information

To prevent the disclosure of confidential information or records to the defendant, the defendant’s attorney, or any other person acting on behalf of the defendant, which could be used to locate or harass the victim or the victim’s family or which disclose confidential communications made in the course of medical or counseling treatment, or which are otherwise privileged or confidential by law.

Sexual Assault:

Sexual assault: includes but is not limited to , rape, forced sodomy, forced oral copulation, rape by a foreign object, sexual battery, or threat of sexual assault.

Rape:

The new Summary definition of Rape is: Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.

Affirmative Consent “Yes means Yes”

Affirmative Consent “Yes Means Yes”:  Affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. Affirmative consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual activity and can be revoked at any time.  It is the responsibility of each person involved in the sexual activity to ensure that he o r she has the affirmative consent of the other or others to engage in the sexual activity.  Lack of protest or resistance does not mean consent, nor does silence mean consent.  The existence of a dating relationship between the persons involved, or the fact of past sexual relations between them, should never by itself be assumed to be an indicator of consent. (67386 CA Ed Code).