Title IX Policy FAQ

Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual act that occurs without consent. Sexual misconduct is a broad term covering a range of behaviors including sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender (sex). Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to, sex discrimination, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual assault, relationship (dating or domestic) violence and stalking.

The purpose of Title IX is to eliminate threatening or abusive behaviors, preventing the recurrence of these behaviors, and addressing their effects through support and resources. Title IX strives to create an equitable system for adjudicating cases and, ultimately, creating a community where sexual misconduct is non-existent, so that all community members can thrive.

If the College knows or reasonably should know of possible sexual violence, Title IX requires the College to take immediate and appropriate steps to investigate or otherwise determine what occurred (subject to confidentiality considerations). If an investigation reveals that sexual misconduct created a hostile environment, the College must then take prompt and effective steps to end the sexual misconduct, eliminate the hostile environment, prevent its recurrence and, as appropriate, remedy its effects.

To the extent of the person’s cooperation and consent, campus offices will work cooperatively to ensure that the person’s health, physical safety, and academic status are protected. Designated campus resource offices will provide information to the reporting party and will seek to prevent harassment from continuing and perhaps escalating and to otherwise assist the person harassed. Examples of accommodations (if appropriate and reasonably available) include no-contact orders, campus security escort services, non-retaliation notices, counseling, changes in class schedules, safety plans, disability student services, and training.

If you have been threatened with, or experienced sexual violence, stalking, or sexual harassment, you are encouraged to contact the campus Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator can provide you with information on campus and community-based resources; on-campus confidential resources; your rights to report (or not report) a criminal complaint; campus options for student conduct or administrative complaints; how confidentiality is handled; and other important information.

• Oversee the campuses response to Title IX reports and complaints and identify and address any patterns or systemic problems
• Ensure that reports and complaints are handled through consistent practices that are equitable and reasonably prompt
• Coordinate with other complaint offices so as to be informed of all complaints that raise Title IX issues throughout the campus
• Maintain current knowledge and expertise on Title IX and related sex discrimination statutes and regulations

In addition to the above core responsibilities, Title IX Coordinators or deputies may have additional responsibilities such as:

• Meet with complainants or persons who request information
• Investigate Title IX complaints
• Evaluate student requests for confidentiality in the context of the campus responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students
• Provide training to students, faculty, and staff
• Coordinate services with local advocacy and service providers
• Coordinate with campus security and local law enforcement

Kapi‘olani CC encourages survivors of sexual violence to talk to somebody about what happened – so you can get the support you need, and so the College can respond appropriately. Different employees on campus have different abilities to maintain a survivor’s confidentiality.

• Certain employees on campus (and off campus) can offer confidentiality — providing support, advice and options without any obligation to tell anyone unless a student requests that they do so, or if there is an imminent threat of health or safety.
• As required by federal law, most College employees who become aware of an incident of sexual misconduct must notify the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator is charged with investigating and responding to allegations of sexual misconduct. Kapi‘olani CC will seek to maintain your privacy at all times during the process but confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

This policy is intended to make students aware of the various reporting and confidential disclosure options available to them – so they can make informed choices about where to turn should they become a victim of sexual violence. The College encourages victims to talk to someone identified in one or more of these groups.