Policy Name: 129-A 6432 Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Stalking Prevention
Responsible Parties: Rector, Dean, and Dean of Students

I. Policy Statement    

The Seminary shall inform incoming students about sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking prevention measures through programs which may include workshops, seminars, discussion groups and film presentations, in order to disseminate information, promote discussion, encourage reporting of, and facilitate prevention of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking offenses, tailored for the context of the Seminary. Specifically, the Seminary shall provide educational programs to promote the awareness of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking offenses. These educational and informational programs should include, but not be limited to, the following subjects:

• Applicable state laws, ordinances, and regulations regarding sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking offenses.
• Penalties under state law for commission of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking offenses as well as on-campus disciplinary sanctions for the same;
• Procedures in effect at the Seminary for dealing with sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking offenses;
• Availability of counseling and other support services for the victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking offenses on campus and off-campus;
• The nature of and common circumstances relating to sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking offenses on Seminary campuses; and
• The methods the campus employs to advise and to update students about safety and security procedures.

II. Reason for Policy  

This policy is intended to ensure the Seminary’s compliance with applicable provisions of the New York State Education Law.

III. Applicability of the Policy  

All members of the campus community should be familiar with this policy.

IV. Related Documents  

• New York State Education Law § 6432

V. Contacts    

VI. Definitions    

1. Domestic Violence is defined as an act committed by a person involved in an intimate relationship against the other member of the intimate relationship. An intimate relationship includes those persons who are married or unmarried, persons who are in dating relationships, including same sex couples, even if there is no sexual relationship.

2. A Sexual Offense is a sexual act that is committed without the consent of the victim. A sexual offense shall include but not be limited to situations where the victim is unable to provide consent because he or she is a minor (less than 17), physically helpless, mentally incapacitated, mentally impaired or unconscious due to alcohol or drug consumption, whether or not the consumption was with the victim’s consent.

3. Rape is nonconsensual sexual intercourse perpetrated by coercion, intimidation, threat or physical force, either threatened or actual. Rape also occurs when the victim is incapable of giving legal consent because the victim is less than 17 years of age, mentally incapacitated or incompetent, physically helpless, including drug or alcohol consumption or asleep.

4. Acquaintance/Date Rape is defined as sexual intercourse undertaken by a person known to the victim without consent. Acquaintance/Date Rape includes sexual intercourse that occurs through force, as a result of threats, physical restraint or physical violence with or without consent.

5. Stalking is when one person engages in a course of conduct which is directed at a specific person and that course of conduct causes that person to be in fear of harm to him/her, his/her safety, his/her property, a member of his/her immediate family, or an acquaintance. Cyber stalking is a form of stalking which can include, but is not limited to, phone, text, IM, Facebook, etc.    

VII. Procedures  

1. The Dean and Dean of Students shall be responsible to provide incoming students with information during their orientation.

Sexual Offenders  

The Seminary is required by New York State to provide a link to the State Sexual Offenders Registry:  http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor/

Revised 08/2014

Approved by the Rector and Board of Trustees August, 2014