Sex Offense Procedure

SEX OFFENSE PROCEDURES:

The California Maritime Academy recognizes that sexual assault is a serious issue and will not tolerate acts of sexual assault on campus. The academy will investigate all allegations of sexual assault, and take appropriate disciplinary, criminal, or legal action with prior consent of the victim. After an alleged sexual assault incident occurs, the academy will assist the victim in changing academic and living situations if so requested and if such changes are reasonably available.

Who do you call and what do you do first?

1. Get to a safe place.
2. As soon as you feel safe, if you are on campus call Public Safety at ext. 1111. You may also call the Vallejo Police Department by dialing 9 then 911 from a room phone. Stay on the line and insure the dispatcher knows what room you are calling from.
3. Do not shower, douche, or change or destroy your clothes.
4. Do not tidy up your room.
5. Try to preserve the evidence of this crime.
6. Do seek medical attention immediately.

Who do you call and what do you do first?

1. When the police arrive, with the victim’s consent, they can be transported for medical treatment. They are also eligible for referral for crisis counseling and legal advocacy.
2. Don’t go through this alone. Contact a close friend who can be with you. Your friend may also accompany you to the medical exam and/or police department. You can also contact a member of the Public Safety Department or the Rape Crisis Center for someone to accompany you.

HOW TO HELP A FRIEND WHO HAS BEEN RAPED

• Believe your friend. The greatest fear of acquaintance rape survivors is that they will not be believed, or that their experience will be minimized as “not important.”
• Listen to what your friend has to say. Let your friend set the pace of the conversation.
• Acknowledge how difficult it may be for your friend to share this experience with you.
• Tell you friend, “It’s not your fault; you are not responsible for another person’s conduct.”
• Refer your friend to one of the listed resources, but allow your friend to decide what to do.
• Get help for yourself! You need to talk to someone other than your friend to discuss your feelings about the attack and the aftermath.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

Female Victims

As soon as possible after an assault, a special exam should be conducted that includes the collection of evidence that may be used in criminal prosecution. This exam evaluates your physical injury, sexually transmitted diseases, or pregnancy; and maintains all your legal options. The exam can be performed at any area hospital. A nurse/friend/advocate can be present throughout the procedure.

• Although the victim is not required to report the incident to the police, the hospital is required by law to report all sexual offenses to the police.
• If the victim wishes, a member of the housing staff will assist them in making the formal report.
• If the sexual assault occurred in the recent or distant past and you did not have the emergency exam within the first 72 hours, it is still important to have a medical exam. This exam includes treatment for physical problems and various lab tests for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

Male Victims

While most victims of sexual assault are women, men can be victims too. At Cal Maritime, the same medical, emotional, and legal services are available to men.

Reporting Sexual Assault and Receiving Assistance

• Counseling Center: 654-1171
• Student Health Center: 654-1170
• Public Safety: 654-1111 or 654-1176
• Emergency: 9-911 from a room or office phone. Stay on the line and insure the dispatcher knows where you are calling from

Reporting Sexual Assault and Receiving Assistance

• Student Counseling Services: 707-654-1171
• Rape Crisis Hotline: 707-258-8000
• Mental Health Crisis Line: 707-553-5332
• Victims of Crime Resources: 1-800-842-8467

DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS IN CASES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

Cal Maritime students who engage in the following conduct are, in accordance with due process procedures, subject to expulsion from the academy without possibility of re-admission, suspension, probation, or any other such lesser sanction as may be prescribed. The academy will not tolerate physical abuse, on or off campus property, of the person or property of any member of the campus community, or of members of his or her family, or the threat of such physical abuse. In cases where the basis for a DRIC hearing is sexual or physical assault, the following provisions shall be applicable in addition to all rights and regulations governing the hearing process under Title V of the California Education Code.

1. Notification to Victims of Sexual Assault or Physical Abuse. The Student Conduct coordinator shall notify alleged victims of sexual assault or physical abuse of the results of any disciplinary action taken within three working days following that disciplinary action. (Education Code Section 67143)
2. Where the person testifying is an alleged victim of sexual or physical assault, which is the basis for the hearing, that person may be present during the entire hearing and may also be accompanied by an advisor of choice, who may not participate directly in the proceedings. Any questioning of the alleged victim shall be limited to the incident leading to the charge and events surrounding the alleged incident (Cal Maritime Student Handbook, DRIC Hearings).

Every effort will be made to criminally prosecute all perpetrators of sexual assaults. In all cases involving sexual or physical assault the accuser and accused are entitled to have the other present during a disciplinary proceeding, and both will be informed of the institution’s final determination, and any sanction that is imposed against the accused.