Sexual Assault Awareness

Sexual Assault & Misconduct

Members of the Kishwaukee College community, guests, and visitors have the right to be free from gender-based or sexual misconduct, as well as from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. College procedures pertaining to gender-based or sexual misconduct are contained in the Student Code of Conduct located in the college catalog and in the Director of Student Success office.

The College’s first concern for an individual, who has been the target of any act of gender based or other sexual misconduct, is that person’s safety and well-being. Confidential resources are available to provide support services to victims. It is recommended that a confidential resource be consulted prior to making a formal report.

• Student Code of Conduct
• Comprehensive Policy Related to Sexual Misconduct
• Kishwaukee College Definition of Consent

Student Title IX Training Video

Consent: What you need to know. 

Confidential Advisor Services

The College has partnered with Safe Passage to provide confidential advisor services to students affected by sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Confidential Advisors have received the required training to provide emergency and ongoing support services to student survivors of sexual misconduct. Safe Passage is here to serve Kishwaukee College students who have been affected by domestic or sexual violence of any kind. The agency can provide free and confidential legal or medical advocacy, counseling, information about an individual's options and rights and referrals to other agencies or service providers. To schedule an on campus meeting, contact Safe Passage at: 815-756-5228 or text the crisis line at 815-393-1995.

Counseling Center Confidential Staff

Kishwaukee College Counselors listed below are available to assist students confidentially and refer to Safe Passage and other resources if appropriate and desired.  To schedule an appointment with Carolyn Kernan, certified counselor, call Student Services at 815-825-1703.

Non-confidential Resources

Reports made to the Sheriff’s Office, Title IX Coordinator or Director of Student Success will be considered formal reports to the College and will be investigated through administrative procedures.

• Executive Director Human Resources • C1101 • 815-825-9333 (Title IX Coordinator)
• Vice President of Student Services • C2165 • 815-825-9807 (Title IX Coordinator)
• DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office • C2177 • 815-825-9529 (On-Campus Law Enforcement)

Be An Active Bystander

Bystander intervention can prevent violence! Step Up. Just Act. Do something. Watch out for your friends and classmates. If you come across someone who looks like they are in trouble, check in with them and make sure they are OK. If you see someone doing something sketchy, say something. Three common ways to intervene:

• Direct approach – If you feel comfortable, make your presence known. “Hey, I’m concerned for your safety, do you need help?” or “hey are you okay?” or “You know what, it’s time for us to go.”
• Distracting approach – Make something up to either get the person to safety (e.g., “your sister is on the phone for you”) or to get the aggressor to leave the situation, For example, “hey, buddy your car is being towed,” or “I dropped my phone, can you help me move this couch?”
• Delegation approach – Locate the person’s friends or the Police to have them intervene. Ask for others to take certain actions, for example ask them to not leave the person out of their sight.

How can I reduce my risk of sexual assault?

While you can never completely protect yourself from sexual assault, there are some things you can do to help reduce your risk of being assaulted.

Avoid Dangerous Situations

1. Be aware of your surroundings. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way to get out of a bad situation.
2. Try to avoid isolated areas. It is more difficult to get help if no one is around.
3. Walk with purpose. Even if you don’t know where you are going, act like you do.
4. Trust your instincts. If a situation or location feels unsafe or uncomfortable, it probably isn’t the best place to be.
5. Try not to load yourself down with packages or bags as this can make you appear more vulnerable.
6. Make sure your cell phone is with you and charged and that you have cab money.
7. Don’t allow yourself to be isolated with someone you don’t trust or someone you don’t know.
8. Avoid putting music headphones in both ears so that you can be more aware of your surroundings, especially if you are walking alone.

Protect Yourself in Social Situations

While you can never completely protect yourself from sexual assault, there are some things you can do to help reduce your risk of being assaulted in social situations.

1. When you go to a social gathering, go with a group of friends. Arrive together, check in with each other throughout the evening, and leave together. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way out of a bad situation.
2. Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe in any situation, go with your gut. If you see something suspicious, contact law enforcement immediately (local authorities can be reached by calling 911 in most areas of the U.S.).
3. Don’t leave your drink unattended while talking, dancing, using the restroom, or making a phone call. If you’ve left your drink alone, just get a new one.
4. Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know or trust. If you choose to accept a drink, go with the person to the bar to order it, watch it being poured, and carry it yourself. At parties, don’t drink from the punch bowls or other large, common open containers.
5. Watch out for your friends, and vice versa. If a friend seems out of it, is way too intoxicated for the amount of alcohol they’ve had, or is acting out of character, get him or her to a safe place immediately.
6. If you suspect you or a friend has been drugged, contact law enforcement immediately (local authorities can be reached by calling 911 in most areas of the U.S.). Be explicit with doctors so they can give you the correct tests (you will need a urine test and possibly others).

From RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).

Additional Information located on the Student Resource page of myKC.