TITLE IX

All training materials used to train LACCD's Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators, Title IX Investigators, hearing officers, decision makers, and advisors are publicly available online on the Office for Diversity and Equity.

Los Angeles Community College District Administrative Regulation C-14: Procedures for Prohibited Discrimination, Unlawful Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Complaints.

Los Angeles Community College District Administrative Regulation C-15: Responding to Harassment Based on Sex under Title IX.

To file a complaint, please submit a completed Los Angeles Community College District Complaint Form.

If you have been sexually assaulted:

• Get to a safe place.
• Call a friend or family member to be with you.
• It is advisable to report a sexual assault, even an unsuccessful attempt. The information you provide may prevent another person from being assaulted. When you report a sexual assault, any information you can remember about the attack will be helpful – the assaulter’s physical characteristics, voice, clothes, car or even an unusual smell.
• If you have been sexually assaulted, you should call the police as soon as possible; do not bathe or change your clothes. Semen, hair, and material under fingernails or on your clothing all may be useful in identifying and prosecuting the assaulter. If the assault occurred on campus, call Campus Sheriffs at (323) 241-5311 or on a Campus Phone: dial 5311 or go to any of the outside campus emergency phones (the blue phones connected to sirens).
• It is very helpful to contact a rape treatment center, where qualified staff members may assist you in dealing with your trauma. If you are unable to make the contact yourself, have a friend, family member or police make the call. The closest treatment center is at Santa Monica UCLA Rape Treatment Center, 1250 16th St., Santa Monica, CA 90404 (310) 319-4000
• Finally, it is important to remember that many individuals will mistakenly blame themselves for the assault. However, being sexually assaulted is not a crime – the crime has been committed by the person who assaulted you.

If you have been a victim of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct, you have options on how you’d like to proceed. The most important factor is that you are safe and are not in imminent danger. If you believe you are in danger, call 911.

What Would You Like to Do?

Talk to Someone
Title IX Coordinators

Dr. Genice Sarcedo-Magruder
Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Los Angeles Southwest College
Regional Equity & Title IX Officer and Dean
(213) 891-2315
@email

Natalie Mason-Kinsey
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
@email

Cody Hunt
Senior Compliance Investigator
@email

Kyra Nielsen
Senior Compliance Investigator
@email

Cassandra Harris
Compliance Investigator
@email

Additional contact information:

Peace Over Violence: (213) 955-9090
LA Rape & Battering Hotline: (310) 392-8381

I’m Taking Online Courses
National Sexual Assault Hotline-Rape, (800) 656-HOPE (4673)
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), (800) 656-HOPE (4673)

Report Incident or Crime

LASC Sheriff Department (323) 241-5311

Complete form: LACCD Unlawful Discrimination Complaint Form

Working together, safety at Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) is everyone’s business. No community, of course, can be totally risk-free in today’s society. Students, faculty/staff, and visitors are partners in creating an atmosphere that is safe and conducive for teaching and learning. Whether you are a victim or a witness, you have the responsibility to report the crime. If a crime occurs on or around campus, report it immediately to the LASC Sheriff’s Department.

The LASC Sheriff’s Department is the primary unit for reporting and investigating all crimes that occur on the LASC campus. Any instances of criminal activity occurring on the LASC Campus should be reported to the LASC Sheriff’s Department.

You may contact the sheriff’s department by calling (323) 241-5311, OR dialing 5311 from any on-campus College telephone, dialing 9-1-1 on a campus phone, using any Emergency phone located throughout the campus and in the parking structures, or coming to the Sheriff’s Department.

Crimes in progress and crimes that have just occurred should be reported immediately. Whenever possible, the actual victim or witness of the crime should call directly. First-hand information is always more accurate and complete. If someone merely gives you the information and leaves, please include that person’s information in your call to the police.

The LASC Sheriff’s Department is staffed 24-hours a day by trained Sheriff dispatchers. The dispatchers constantly receive calls from the 9-1-1 and business lines. They assign the appropriate deputies, paramedics or emergency workers to handle the calls. When calling to report a crime or incident, please be ready to give information such as:

• A brief description of the occurrence,
• When and where the incident occurred,
• Weapons the suspect(s) carried,
• Where and when the suspect(s) was last seen,
• Description of the suspect(s) (including gender, race, age, height, weight, hair color/length, clothing, facial hair, tattoos/scars) and any other relevant information.

In addition to the importance of reporting, timely information assists in developing information and warnings for the campus.

When a crime is reported to the LASC Sheriff’s Department, a deputy will take a report outlining the circumstances of the incident, as well as any other pertinent information. The deputy receiving the report is also responsible for following through on the case until the conclusion.

In all instances of criminal activity, the Sheriff’s department works to determine the exact nature and perpetrator(s) of the crime for the purpose of developing a viable criminal case to be forwarded to the District Attorney’s or City Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

In all cases where a student is considered a suspect, the Sheriff’s Department will also forward the case information to the Office of Student Services for review and to determine if a possible violation of the Rules for Student Conduct has been committed.

If you need to file a complaint, fill out the LACCD Unlawful Discrimination Complaint Form.

Procedures for prohibited discrimination, unlawful harassment, and sexual misconduct complaints can be found here.

Learn the process of how to respond to harassment based on sex under Title IX here.

Facts About Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is a crime of violence. It is estimated that more than 80 percent of all sexual assaults involve the use of weapons or the threat of violence or death. Rapists often look for potential victims who appear weak or vulnerable; however, anyone can be a victim of a sexual assault, regardless of behavior or appearance. Rape can happen to any person, anywhere, or anytime. In a significant number of cases, the rapist is known to the victim.

Rape is not just an act committed in a dark alley by an assailant the victim has never met. Most rapes occur in the victim's home and about 60% of the victims who report their rape know their assailants. You can be aware without being afraid.

Some people believe that rapists are overcome with sexual desire or that women "ask for it" by the way they dress or act. Some people even believe that women want to be raped. These ideas assume that rape is motivated by sexual desire. IT IS NOT! Rape is a crime of violence - a hostile act - and it is motivated by the assailant's need to hurt and humiliate the victim. It is about power. Since rape is a crime motivated by violence men can be victims of rape just as women. In California, any form of sexual conduct carried out upon a person, against that person's will, is a crime. Any sexual penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete the crime of rape. P.C. 261 & 263

Specific Forms of Sexual Violence

Dating Violence: Abuse or mistreatment that occurs in either heterosexual or same-sex relationships. It may take place at any time during the dating process - when two people first meet and become interested in one another, on their first date, during their courtship, once they have been involved with each other for some time, or after their relationship has ended.

Intimate Partner (Domestic) Violence: Physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy.

Rape: Unwanted, coerced and/or forced sexual penetration. The perpetrator may penetrate the victim's vagina, mouth, or anus, either with a body part or another object. The victim may also be forced to penetrate the perpetrator's vagina, mouth, or anus.

Sexual Harassment: Unwanted verbal sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other visual, verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can also include stalking, voyeurism ("peeping toms"), exhibitionism/exposing, and obscene comments and phone calls. Sexual harassment can occur in the workplace, school, and other settings (such as public transportation, shopping malls, community events, social gatherings, places of worship, health care facilities) and can create an intimidating or hostile environment for the victim. The perception of the victim, not the intent of the harasser, determines whether particular words or actions are harassing.

Sexual Violation: Use of sexual contact behaviors that are unwanted by and/or harmful to another person, but do not involve penetration. This can include touching or rubbing against a non-consenting person in public ("frottage"), forced masturbation, and non-consensual touching of the breasts, buttocks, genitals, and other sexualized body parts by another person.

Hate Crimes: Hate violence as defined in the statute "means any act of physical intimidation or physical harassment, physical force or physical violence, or the threat of physical force or physical violence, that is directed against any person or group of persons because of the ethnicity, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or political/religious beliefs of that person or group".

Stalking: While legal definitions of stalking vary from one jurisdiction to another, a good working definition of stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. A stalker is someone who willfully, maliciously and repeatedly follows or harasses another (victim) and who makes a credible threat with the intent to place the victim or victim's immediate family in fear for their safety. According to California Penal Code 646.9, the victim does not have to prove that the stalker had the intent to carry out the threat.

Any sexual violence against the wishes and without the consent of the violated person, whether by a stranger or by an acquaintance, whether against a woman or a man, is a violation of the law. Consent cannot be given if the person is asleep, intoxicated, unconscious, mentally disordered, under threat of force, or for any other reason unable to communicate a willingness to participate in sexual activity. Intercourse under any of these circumstances is rape.

Any person who has been the victim of sexual violence is strongly urged to report the situation as soon as possible to City Police (911) or College Sheriff’s office (323) 241-5311. Any person with information regarding sexual violence on campus should contact the College Sheriff’s office or the Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible.

Complainant Rights

Throughout this process, both the complainant and respondent have the following rights:

• To be treated with respect by District officials.
• To take advantage of campus support resources, such as Psychological Services, Student Health Services, etc.
• To experience a safe education and work environment.
• To have an advisor during an adjudication process.
• To be free of retaliation.
• To have complaints heard in accordance with policy and procedures.
• To fully participate in any process whether the injured party is serving as the complainant, or where the institution is serving as the complainant.

Assault on Campus

Procedure

• LASC will address the needs of the sexual assault survivor by providing a consistent, caring, and timely response when sexual assault occurs within the college community. After an initial consultation, referrals for treatment will be made and ongoing support will be offered to survivors.
• Any person who has been sexually assaulted is strongly encouraged to file a complaint with the Sheriff’s office, and/or the appropriate law enforcement agency having jurisdiction. When a complaint is filed with the Sheriff’s station, the LASC staff should initiate the following steps:

1. Request that a nurse from Student Health Services provide immediate medical attention and appropriate medical and psychological referrals.
2. Provide assistance to the Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center.
3. Notify the appropriate college personnel of the incident for further administrative action.
4. The Sheriff’s station will be responsible for conducting a thorough investigation which may include contacting other public agencies.
5. Ensure that the survivor is given appropriate protection while on campus, including protection from retaliation for filing the complaint, if necessary. Such protection may include placing appropriate restrictions on the accused.
6. Ask the survivor questions to assess the potential for a continuing threat to the survivor and/or other members of the campus community.

Disclosure

To protect the privacy of the individuals involved, names will not be released by the District without their consent unless the release is essential to the health and safety of the survivor or the campus community, or to otherwise fulfill the legal obligations of the college.

Student Conduct and Discipline

Students may be expelled, suspended or placed on probation for acts committed on campus or at campus-related events. The cause for suspension and expulsion listed in California Education Code 76033 include assault, battery, or any threat of force or violence upon a student or college personnel and the willful misconduct which results in injury or death to a student or college personnel. In compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, victims of violent crimes, including sexual assault, are to be informed whenever information regarding disciplinary action taken by the college is included in a student's file. For further information, contact the Title IX coordinator at, (323) 241-5005.

If you have been accused of sexual misconduct, DO NOT contact the victim (Complainant). You may want to speak with someone in the campus community who can act as a support person. The Title IX Coordinator, or advocate, can explain the college’s grievance procedures for addressing sexual misconduct complaints. You may also want to seek confidential counseling through Psychological Services or seek support through off-campus services in the community.

What about legal advice?

Respondents may want to retain legal counsel given the potential for criminal and/or civil action. Los Angeles Southwest College does not provide legal counsel to students.

Will anyone be told?

The college’s primary relationship is to you, the student. College officials will only speak with other individuals at your request or when there is a significant threat to your health or safety.

Can the student be charged with something on campus and off-campus?

Yes, complainants have the right to pursue both campus resolution of a complaint as well as civil and/or criminal resolution. It is up to the complainant to decide how they want to proceed. The colleges’ processes will move forward regardless if there is criminal or civil legal action taken regarding the same incident.

Respondent Rights

Throughout this process, both the complainant and respondent have the following rights:

• To be treated with respect by District officials.
• To take advantage of campus support resources, such as Psychological Services, Student Health Services, etc.
• To experience a safe education and work environment.
• To have an advisor during an adjudication process.
• To be free of retaliation.
• To have complaints heard in accordance with policy and procedures.
• To fully participate in any process whether the injured party is serving as the complainant, or where the institution is serving as the complainant.

Talk to someone on campus

• Peace Over Violence: (213) 955-9090
• LA Rape & Battering Hotline: (310) 392-8381

Talk to someone off-campus

Community Resources

• LASC Sheriff’s Department
• Emergency 911
• L.A. Rape and Battering Hotline (310) 392-8381
• LA County Info Line (dial 211 or www.healthycity.org)
• Sojourn Services for Battered Women and Their Children 310-264-6644 (Crisis Hotline)

Counseling Services

Suicide Prevention Crisis Line: 877-727-4747

LBGTQ Counseling

• The Center (Los Angeles): 323-993-7400
• Trevor Project (Hotline): 1-866-488-7386

Legal Services

Public Counsel: (213) 385-2977
601 S. Ardmore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90005

For Online Students

National Sexual Assault Hotline – Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
(800) 656-HOPE (4673)

National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233
800-787-3224 (TTY)

Additional Resources

211 Los Angeles County
Information and Referral
526 W Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel, CA 90067
211 or www.211la.org

Asian Pacific Counseling & Treatment Centers
520 Lafayette Park Place, Ste 300, Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 252-2100 or www.apctc.org/

Child Abuse Hotline
Los Angeles County Department of Children Services
(800) 540-4000

Child Abuse Hotline
L.A. Child Guidance Clinic
3787 S. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90007
(323) 766-2345 or www.lachild.org/

Child and Family Services - Pathways
(Central Los Angeles, Hollywood, Silver Lake, Beverly Hills)
3550 W. 6th Street Ste 500, Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 427-2700 or www.pathwaysla.org/

Community Care Licensing
Los Angeles Child Northwest Office
6167 Bristol Parkway, Ste 400, Culver City, CA 90230

Connections for Children
(Western L.A. County, Beach Cities, Culver City, Westchester)
(310) 452-3202

Crystal Stairs, Inc.
Child Care Resource and Referral Service
650 West Adams Blvd. Ste 100, Los Angeles, CA 90007
(323) 299-0199 or www.crystalstairs.org

Disability Rights California
(213) 427-8747 or www.disabilityrightsca.org

Disability Services
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
3303 Wilshire Blvd., 7th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 383-1300 or www.lanterman.org/

Emergency Food
American Red Cross
2700 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 739-5200

Emergency Food
Immanuel Presbyterian Church
Food Pantry
3300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 389-3191

World Harvest Food Bank
1014 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 746-2227 or www.worldharvestfoodbank.org/

Healthy Families
(800) 880-5305

Healthy Kids Program
L.A. Care Health Plan
555 W. 5th Street, 29th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 694-1250

Legal Services
Public Counsel
601 S. Ardmore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 385-2977

Los Angeles County Housing Resource Center
(877) 428-8844

Medi-Cal
(888) 747-1222

Options
(Baldwin Park, San Gabriel Valley, El Monte, Whittier)
(626) 856-5900 or www.optionscc.org/

Para Los Niños
845 East 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 623-8446 or www.paralosninos.org/

South Central Los Angeles Regional Center
650 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 763-7800 or www.sclarc.org/