Sexual Assault

Section I: Policy

Bristol Community College is committed to providing an atmosphere for learning that is free of any conduct that could be considered harassing, abusive, or disorderly. In an effort to assure safety to all members of the college community, the procedures set forth on the following pages have been established. Copies of these procedures are available in the offices of the Academic Advising, Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management, and Bristol Police.

Sexual assault is a criminal offense and will not be tolerated. Sexual assault includes forcible and non-forcible offenses.

Bristol Community College is required by the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 and the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 to collect information related to sexual assault on campus. When an allegation of sexual assault is made, the alleged victim is encouraged to pursue criminal prosecution. In addition, appropriate campus disciplinary action may be pursued.

All allegations of sexual assault will be handled confidentially and will be investigated. Both the accuser and the accused will have equal opportunity for a hearing. For additional information, contact Bristol’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Emmanuel Echevarria. He may be contacted by telephone at 774.357.2682 or email correspondence at Emmanuel.Echevarria@BristolCC.edu. The Human Resources office may be contacted by telephone at 774.357.2333 or email correspondence at DiversityTitleIX@BristolCC.edu.

Section II: Prevention

Although Bristol Community College acknowledges the reality of rape and sexual assault in society, we have adopted a pro-active prevention plan with education and awareness programs to prevent these crimes on campus.

The prevention of sexual assault depends in part on the awareness of an individual’s responsibility for crime prevention and personal safety. Education at Bristol Community College is provided through programs and educational booklets which include: 

• Staff development/employee training.
• Student and employee handbooks.
• Campus media including the newspaper and newsletters.
• Seminars, workshops, pamphlets and posters addressing specific issues, such as sexual assault, acquaintance rape, sexual harassment, self-protection for men and women and crime reporting.
  
  

In spite of our efforts, some rapes and sexual assaults may occur. It is our concern that when a rape or sexual assault is reported to campus authorities, the victim’s welfare is paramount and he or she is not victimized again by the system. With this in mind, we have established procedures to follow in the event of a rape or sexual assault on campus.

Section III: Procedures

In the event of a sexual assault occurring on campus, the college will respond in the following manner to provide for the safety and needs of the person who is assaulted:

A. Security

• Inform Bristol Police immediately on campus by dialing 774.357.2218 or 774.357.3911 from a college telephone, anytime day or night and weekends. If you are off-campus dial 508.678.2811, 774.357.2218 or 774.357.3911.
• Bristol Police will notify the college’s Diversity & Title IX Officer.
• Identify a support person for the victim, such as the respondent from the college staff, an individual from the community resource list, or someone whom the victim chooses and feels comfortable with to provide support and accompany the victim to the police station, hospital, or home.
• In case of medical emergency, Bristol Police will arrange transportation to the local hospital emergency room. The support person may accompany the victim. Medical attention should be encouraged even if the victim does not feel it is necessary, as the person may be in shock or otherwise unable to make such a decision which may be important to future legal action. The victim should be informed of the importance of preserving evidence.
• If there is the potential for immediate apprehension of the assailant, Bristol Police should call the local police.
• An incident report should be filed and the Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management notified.

B. Faculty and Staff

• Any faculty or staff member who receives a report of or discovers a possible sexual assault on Campus shall immediately inform Bristol Police immediately on campus by dialing 774.357.2218 or 774.357.3911 from a college telephone, anytime day or night and weekends. If you are off-campus dial 508.678.2811, 774.357.2218 or 774.357.3911.
• Reports can also be made to Bristol’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Emmanuel Echevarria. He may be contacted by telephone at 774.357.2682 or email correspondence at Emmanuel.Echevarria@BristolCC.edu. The Human Resources office may be contacted by telephone at 774.357.2333 or email correspondence at DiversityTitleIX@BristolCC.edu.
• The Vice President of Marketing & Communications shall be the designated spokesperson for all media or outside inquiries.
• The Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management shall be responsible for insuring that college policies and procedures are followed and shall also determine appropriate college disciplinary action if the alleged perpetrator is a student. Any student or employee who is a victim will be offered information on law enforcement options, mental health services, and options for changing academic and/or living situations, if requested and available.
  • All reported or suspected cases of sexual violence shall be reported to the college’s Diversity & Title IX Officer. 

C. Students

• If a student receives a report or discovers a possible sexual assault on campus, she/he must immediately notify Bristol Police, a faculty member, or a staff member. Students may also report to Bristol’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Emmanuel Echevarria. He may be contacted by telephone at 774.357.2682 or email correspondence at Emmanuel.Echevarria@BristolCC.edu. The Human Resources office may be contacted by telephone at 774.357.2333 or email correspondence at DiversityTitleIX@BristolCC.edu.
• The college may initiate college disciplinary action against the student or employee accused of rape, acquaintance rape or other sex offenses, forcible or non-forcible. Possible sanctions which may be imposed following the final determination of an on-campus disciplinary procedure regarding such charges include warning, probation, suspension, dismissal, special assignments and restriction or revocation of privileges.
• The Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management shall oversee and implement these decisions for students and ensure the accuser and accused are treated fairly and both informed of the outcome of any campus disciplinary proceeding and action.
  • All reported or suspected cases of sexual violence shall be reported to the college’s Diversity & Title IX Officer. 
    
    

D. Students and Employees

• If any student or employee believes that he or she has been sexually assaulted, the student or employee has the right to file an Affirmative Action Discrimination Complaint Form (see Affirmative Action Policy for Community Colleges form below under "Relevant Forms") with the college.
• For more information or assistance with filing a complaint, please contact Bristol’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Emmanuel Echevarria. He may be contacted by telephone at 774.357.2682 or email correspondence at Emmanuel.Echevarria@BristolCC.edu. The Human Resources office may be contacted by telephone at 774.357.2333 or email correspondence at DiversityTitleIX@BristolCC.edu. 
  
  

If you wish to also file a formal complaint with Bristol's Diversity and Title IX Officer, you may do so online here.