Sexual Violence happens to people of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, professions, incomes, and ethnicities. Sexual violence is never the victim’s fault!
Sexual violence occurs when someone is forced, coerced, or manipulated into unwanted sexual activity against his or her will or when a person is incapable to give consent due to being underage, having an illness or disability, or being incapacitated due to alcohol or other drugs. Consent can be initially given, and then later withdrawn.
The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and Northeast State Community College have adopted the following definitions related to sexual violence based upon Tennessee statutes and codes. TBR has determined that these definitions meet requirements as set forth by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA) and the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act of 2013 (SaVE Act).
Resources to help you understand Consent:
Dating Violence TCA § 39-13-111 is violence against a person when the accuser and accused are dating, or who have dated, or who have had a sexual relationship. "Dating" and "dated" do not include fraternization between two (2) individuals solely in a business or non-romantic social context. Violence includes, but is not necessarily limited to:
Tennessee laws recognize Dating Violence as a form of Domestic Violence.
Domestic Violence TCA § 39-13-111 is violence against a person when the accuser and accused:
Domestic violence includes, but is not necessarily limited to:
Sexual Assault is the non-consensual sexual contact with the accuser by the accused, or the accused by the accuser when force or coercion is used to accomplish the act, the sexual contact is accomplished without consent of the accuser, and the accused knows or has reason to know at the time of the contact that the accuser did not or could not consent. Sexual contact includes, but is not limited to, the intentional touching of the accuser's, the accused's, or any other person's intimate parts, or the intentional touching of the clothing covering the immediate area of the accuser’s, the accused’s, or any other person’s intimate parts, if that intentional touching can be reasonably construed as being for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. [TBR Sexual Misconduct Policy 6:03:00:00]
Please reference Tennessee laws on Sexual Battery and Rape for additional information.
Sexual Misconduct is defined as dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault. [NeSCC Sexual Misconduct Policy 03:01:08 and TBR Sexual Misconduct Policy 6:03:00:00]
Stalking TCA § 39-17-315 is a willful course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment of another individual that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested, and that actually causes the accuser to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested. Harassment means conduct directed toward the accuser that includes, but is not limited to, repeated or continuing unconsented contact that would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress, and that actually causes the accuser to suffer emotional distress. Harassment does not include constitutionally protected activity or conduct that serves a legitimate purpose.
If you are a victim of sexual assault the VERY FIRST thing to do is get to a safe location and seek medical attention. The local Tri-Cities hospital emergency rooms ( Ballad Health Locations) have staffs trained to assist you. For example, the Johnson City Medical Center has SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) nurses to do a free forensic medical examination.
Preserve evidence of the assault by not eating, drinking, smoking, urinating, bathing or showering, douching, brushing your teeth, or changing your clothes. Write down details of the assault to help you remember if and when you file a police report. You may elect to have an exam using a Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence kit whether or not you decide to pursue a criminal investigation, but you MUST get medical care as soon as possible.
Seek the emotional support, legal resources, and financial assistance you need:
Northeast State’s Campus Police are here to help! Officers can walk students to and from class when concerned about their safety, transport students to a place of safety (such as a shelter or safe residence), provide information on how to obtain an Order of Protection, and transport students to a local law enforcement agency when a victim of sexual violence wants to pursue an arrest warrant against the alleged assailant. Call 423.677.7927 (emergency cell) or refer to the Victim Notification of Rights and Resources for more information.
www.NortheastState.edu/Counseling
For assistance with confidential reports, contact Denise Walker, a Licensed Professional Counselor/Mental Health Service Provider (Temp), at 423.323.0211 or email counseling@NortheastState.edu . The office is located in the General Studies Building, Room C2101. Counseling is available to help students receive the emotional support and care they need when they have been the victims of sexual assault. A counselor will also help link students to community resources when needed.
Sexual violence is also treated as sexual harassment under federal guidelines at colleges and universities. [NeSCC Policy 03:01:08 - Sexual Misconduct] Whether victims of sexual violence or other offenses, individuals can receive assistance, resources, information, and community referrals from campus responders. For reporting assistance and referral to support services, contact Tracy Barry in Policy and Compliance at 423.354.5296 or email compliance@NortheastState.edu. The office is located in the Pierce Administration Building on the third floor, Room P313.
www.NortheastState.edu/FinancialAid
A professional staff member is available to help students navigate Financial Aid status changes which may result from being a victim of sexual violence. Call 423.323.0233 for assistance.
www.NortheastState.edu/CommunityResources
Domestic violence shelters provide food and shelter, counseling, advocacy, and assistance to locate permanent housing and secure employment when needed. Women and children can stay for one night up to 30 days. Shelters are in an undisclosed location in order to protect the safety of residents. Women who have transportation may meet the shelter staff in a public place or may be transported to the shelter by the police. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or 1.800.787.3224 (TTY).
Family Justice Centers house multi-disciplinary teams of professionals who work together, under one roof, to provide coordinated services to victims of family violence. Victims can talk to an advocate, plan for their safety, interview with a police officer, meet with a prosecutor, receive medical assistance, receive information related to shelter, and receive help with transportation. Two centers are located in the Tri-Cities:
Serving the Upper East Tennessee counties of Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington with free advocacy and therapy services. Advocates work to ensure that survivors' legal rights are protected. Therapists specialize in treating female, male, and LGBTQ victims of all ages. Call 423.202.6427 for more information. A 24/7 Crisis Hotline is available at 865.522.7273.
http://treasury.tn.gov/Services/Claims-and-Risk-Management/Criminal-Injuries-Compensation
Tennessee's Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund provides financial assistance to crime victims through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Program and the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Program. The SAFE Program provides payment for services related to sexual assault forensic examinations and reimburses a facility that performs sexual assault forensic exams on victims of certain sexually-oriented crimes. Facilities bill the fund and cannot seek additional payment from the victim for the exam.
The Safe At Home Address Confidentiality Program is a new statewide address confidentiality program administered by the Office of the Tennessee Secretary of State. The Safe at Home Program is open to all victims of domestic abuse, stalking, human trafficking, rape, sexual battery, or any other sexual offense who satisfy eligibility and application requirements at no cost.
TN SAVIN exists to increase the safety of victims of crimes through timely access to information on the custody status of offenders in county jails. Individuals can register anonymously by telephone at 1.888.868.4631 or by visiting www.vinelink.com .
Help for immigrants who may fear removal from the United States if they report being a victim of a crime. Federal laws include protections for legal and undocumented immigrants who have been victimized. Contact the USCIS to speak with law enforcement officials or representatives of record at 802.527.4888 or call 1.800.375.5283 for other inquiries. Additional information is available at Immigration Options for Victims of Crimes.
TN SAVIN - Victim Notifications
1.888.868.4631
National Sexual Assault 24-Hour Hotline
1.800.656.HOPE (4673)
Safe Areas are campus offices that provide victims of violent acts a safe and private environment in which to seek assistance. Northeast State encourages all students and employees to report incidents of sexual violence. Offices designated as Safe Areas at each campus have the Safe Area logo displayed. Visit www.NortheastState.edu/SafeAreas for campus locations or scan the quick response (QR) code located below.
Safe Areas are not to be confused with Severe Weather Shelter Areas as described in the Building Coordinator Manual. Shelter Areas are designated by a Severe Weather Shelter Area logo prominently displayed at the entrance to each area.Circle of 6
Helping Victims of Hate Crime
Internet Apps for Dating Safely
Kitestring
Tennessee Felony Offender Search
VINEmobile
Always be aware of YOUR personal safety! Learn some safety tips and risk reduction methods.
Watch out for your co-workers, students, acquaintances, friends, and family members, too. Bystanders can make a difference. Intervene safely when someone is at risk for being a victim of sexual violence and ask for help. Develop an understanding of the actions that create cultures of consent and respect on the campus and in the community.
Seek help when YOU and OTHERS are at risk. Call 9-1-1 for immediate intervention!
Report suspicious behavior on campus. Call 423.677.7927 or online at the Be Safe page.
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