Title IX Coordinator Contact Info
R. A.D. Classes (Rape Aggression Defense)
The ISU Police provide R.A.D. self-defense class by request for student groups, classes, residence hall floor programs, student organizations, etc. throughout the year.
ISU has developed an annual educational campaign consisting of presentations that include distribution of education materials to new students; participating in and presenting information and materials during new employee orientation.
Listing of Programs from 2016-2017*
Abbreviations for prohibitive behaviors in the table: SA– Sexual Assault; DoV– Domestic Violence; DaV–
Dating Violence; S– Stalking; C– Consent; HR– Healthy Relationships; B-Bystander
PROGRAM DATE LOCATION PROHIBITIVE BEHAIVIOR COVERED
TARGET AUDIENCE
Walk A Mile In Her Shoes
April 23, 2016 Downtown Terre Haute
SA; DoV; DaV;
S; HR
Students, Faculty, Staff,
& Community Take Back the
Night
November 16, 2016
HMSU Dede I SA; DoV; DaV;
S; C; HR; B
Students, Faculty, Staff
& Community Play: Hers is
the Head of a Wolf
April 1, 2017 April 2, 2017
Dreiser Hall Theatre
SA; DoV; DaV Students, Faculty, Staff and
Community
*The above listing is of large events open to the campus community smaller programs with specific target audiences not listed.
The Office of Student Conduct and Integrity annually educates and notifies the campus community of content and updates to the Indiana State University Student Code of Conduct. These updates range from the implementation of the Indiana Lifeline Law to the implementation of a new policy to deal with issues of dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
The Division of Student Affairs developed “The BLUE FOLDER”. This folder will list a C.A.R.E.S. Guide (Creating Awareness & Readiness for Everyone’s Safety). It will be a compact, yet comprehensive guide to classroom and workplace safety information for faculty and staff at Indiana State University
Finally, more targeted programming is available upon request to student groups, classes, residence hall floors, organizations, classes, and others throughout the year.
Primary Prevention and Awareness Programs for New Employees As new employees join ISU, they are instructed about rules and regulations regarding ISU policy as it relates to safety and security – including ISU policies on sexual assault/violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking - through the required new employee or new faculty orientation. The new employee is also provided with an Indiana State University Fact Finder Binder at orientation.
All new employees are also required to complete the employee version of the It’s On Blue online training and prevention program within thirty (30) days of hire. Employees are also enrolled in online training
programs through Skillsoft. These online training programs are required to be completed within one month of the new employee’s start date. Included in the required programs are several different modules related to the workplace.
Ongoing Prevention and Awareness Programs for Employees
By mandate of the ISU Board of Trustees, the “It’s On Blue” online education and awareness program is required of all employees. In addition the online Skillsoft training modules are still available. Specific employee groups (residential life programming staff, academic advisors, athletic staff and others) may receive more individualized in-person training by the Title IX Coordinator. In addition, Sycamore eLearning (Powered by Skillsoft) is an online training program which offers a multitude of different modules and educational publications. Staff, faculty, and students can take these courses at their leisure voluntarily or can have these courses assigned to them via a supervisor. The courses range in everything from domestic violence awareness to workplace harassment. These courses provide the user the opportunity to partake in an interactive learning experience and allow for the user to learn material via a “hands-on” experience.
Periodically during the academic year the ISU Police, in cooperation with other University organizations and departments, present crime prevention awareness sessions on sexual assault (rape and acquaintance rape), Rohypnol abuse, relationship violence, and residence hall security.
Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) is a free self-defense class offer by ISU Public Safety Office. This is a comprehensive course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction, and avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. Certified RAD instructors teach each session.
For more information about programs or to request a program for your group or organization, please call the ISU Public Safety Office at 812-237-7829 or the Office of Equal Opportunity/Title IX at 812-237-8954.
Risk Reduction
With no intent to victim blame and recognizing that only abusers are responsible for their abuse, the following are some strategies to reduce one’s risk of sexual assault or harassment (taken from Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network, www.rainn.org):
1. Be aware of your surroundings. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way to get out of a bad situation.
2. Try to avoid isolated areas. It is more difficult to get help if no one is around.
3. Walk with purpose. Even if you don’t know where you are going, act like you do.
4. Try not to load yourself down with packages or bags as this can make you appear more vulnerable.
5. Make sure your cell phone is with you and charged and that you have cab money.
6. Don't allow yourself to be isolated with someone you don’t trust or someone you don’t know.
7. Avoid putting music headphones in both ears so that you can be more aware of your surroundings, especially if you are walking alone.
8. When you go to a social gathering, go with a group of friends. Arrive together, check in with each other throughout the evening, and leave together. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way out of a bad situation.
9. Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe in any situation, go with your gut. If you see something suspicious, contact law enforcement immediately (local authorities can be reached by calling 911 in most areas of the U.S.).
10. Don't leave your drink unattended while talking, dancing, using the restroom, or making a phone call. If you’ve left your drink alone, just get a new one.
11. Don't accept drinks from people you don't know or trust. If you choose to accept a drink, go with the person to the bar to order it, watch it being poured, and carry it yourself.
12. At parties, don’t drink from the punch bowls or other large, common open containers.
13. Watch out for your friends, and vice versa. If a friend seems out of it, is way too intoxicated for the amount of alcohol they’ve had, or is acting out of character, get him or her to a safe place immediately.
14. If you suspect you or a friend has been drugged, contact law enforcement immediately (local authorities can be reached by calling 911 in most areas of the U.S.). Be explicit with doctors so they can give you the correct tests (you will need a urine test and possibly others).
15. If you need to get out of an uncomfortable or scary situation here are some things that you can try:
a. Remember that being in this situation is not your fault. You did not do anything wrong, it is the person who is making you uncomfortable that is to blame.
b. Be true to yourself. Don't feel obligated to do anything you don't want to do. "I don't want to" is always a good enough reason. Do what feels right to you and what you are comfortable with.
c. Have a code word with your friends or family so that if you don’t feel comfortable you can call them and communicate your discomfort without the person you are with knowing. Your friends or family can then come to get you or make up an excuse for you to leave.
d. Lie. If you don’t want to hurt the person’s feelings it is better to lie and make up a reason to leave than to stay and be uncomfortable, scared, or worse. Some excuses you could use are: needing to take care of a friend or family member, not feeling well, having somewhere else that you need to be, etc.
16. Try to think of an escape route. How would you try to get out of the room? Where are the doors? Windows? Are there people around who might be able to help you? Is there an emergency phone nearby?
17. If you and/or the other person have been drinking, you can say that you would rather wait until you both have your full judgment before doing anything you may regret later.
Safe & Positive Options for Bystander Intervention:
Bystanders play a critical role in the prevention of sexual assault, dating violence and domestic violence.
These are people who are not directly involved in the perpetuation of violence yet they recognize the warning signs of such behavior. They also serve as witnesses to the violence. Here at Indiana State University we want to promote a culture of community accountability where bystanders are actively engaged in the prevention of violence without causing further harm. We may not always know what to do even if we want to help. Below are some waysto be an active bystander adapted from:
http://stepupprogram.org/facilitators/strategies-effective-helping/.
Further information regarding bystander intervention may be found at:
https://www.indstate.edu/equalopportunity-titleix/its-on-blue. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, dial 911. This could be when a person is being physically abusive towards another and it is not safe for you to interrupt.
Non –Emergency Situation:
Direct: You speak with the person directly.
Indirect: Talk to another person who you feel could be helpful or give guidance and direction — teammate, counselor, administrator, coach.
Note: If you do not act immediately, don’t ignore the situation. Just because you don’t act right then and there doesn’t mean you can’t do it later!
Whatever response you choose, remember the following in a non-emergency situation:
Consider frequency, duration and intensity/severity when evaluating a situation.
Determine the barrier for the person if possible — motivation, ability or environment.
Know your limits as a helper — engage others as necessary.
Be sensitive, understanding and non-judgmental.
Challenge misperceptions – Express your true feelings/beliefs.
Identify the red flags; Anticipate problems.
Determine the priority goal; Formulate a plan; Prepare/practice what you want to say.
Interrupt/distract/delay a situation you think might be problematic — before it becomes an emergency!
Set boundaries — do not make excuses for the person or otherwise enable them.
Conduct conversations in a safe environment. Maintain mutual respect and mutual purpose.
Remember the Law of Delivery — Who (person/s), What (content), When (timing), Where (location/privacy), Why (reasons) and How (tone).
Carefully assess the entire situation/circumstances before making any decisions
or taking any action. Choose the most effective ways of helping for that particular situation. Be sure to not make the situation escalate.
Emergency Situation
1. Direct: You take responsibility as the primary helper.
2. Indirect: You request that someone else take responsibility as the primary helper (e.g., the Police, Emergency Medical Trained or EMT personnel, Athletic Administrators, etc.)
Whatever response you choose, remember the following in an emergency situation:
Calm the person
Gather information
Look at options
Provide support
Know appropriate referrals
Do not become trapped
Look for the best exit strategies (getting out of the situation) for those involved.
Be clear and direct with all of your requests.
Make safe choices; consider the level of risk in choosing an action for intervening.
Understand boundaries and limits — don’t be a hero. Remember verbal fights can quickly turn into physical fights. ***It is often better to WALK AWAY.
Intervene early — before a problem becomes a crisis or disaster.
Publicly state your commitment to helping. “I will do X.”
Engage other bystanders — You do “Y.”
Discuss consequences that the person cares about — Encourage VALUE BASED DECISIONS.
Assess personal exposure/liability when actions you know about are criminal.
Call 9-1-1 if it is not safe or prudent for you to help directly.