Title IX, Harassment Prevention, and Discrimination

Policy as of 1/9/25

2025 CCSNH TIX POLICY_RVCC

Policy 8/1/24 – 1/8/25:

2024 CCSNH TITLE IX POLICY_RVCC

Policy previous to 8/1/24:

RVCC Title IX Policy (Students) 6.22.21

RVCC Title IX Policy (Employees) 6.22.21

CCSNH encourages individuals to report incidents covered under this policy so that they can get the support they need and the College can respond appropriately while maintaining a safe and secure campus. Although strict confidentiality may not be guaranteed, in all cases the College will handle information in a sensitive manner and will endeavor to protect the privacy of individuals to the extent it can do so consistent with its obligations to respond to reports of discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and retaliation. If a complainant expects formal action in response to their allegations, reporting to any non-confidential resource can connect them with the appropriate resources.

Confidential Resources and Confidentiality

If an individual would like to confidentially report an alleged violation of this policy, they should contact a confidential resource. A confidential resource is an individual who is legally and ethically bound to keep confidential all information shared with them on the course of providing counsel and support, except under the circumstances noted below.

In general, the law recognizes and protects the confidentiality of communications between a person seeking care and a medical or mental health professional, religious advisor, or trained sexual assault advocate. The medical, mental health, and religious professionals (individuals acting in their religious professional capacity through a College office) at the College respect and protect confidential communications from students faculty, and staff to the extent they are legally able to do so. These professionals may have to breach confidence when they perceive a serious risk of danger or threat to any person or property. In addition, medical and mental health professionals may be required by law to report certain crimes (such as allegations of sexual and/or physical abuse of any person under 18).

An individual who speaks to a confidential resource must understand that if they want to maintain complete confidentiality, the College will be unable to investigate the particular incident or pursue disciplinary action against the alleged perpetrator. However, confidential resources may assist the individual in receiving supportive measures or other forms of protection and support such as victim advocacy, academic accommodations, disability, health, or mental health services, and changes to living, working, or transportation arrangements.

Campus Resource Advisors

New Hampshire State law §188-H:7 permits CCSNH to establish confidential resource advisors. These are privileged individuals designated by the College that are not required to notify the College Title IX Coordinator or a law enforcement agency when they learn about potential incidents of sexual misconduct. Confidential resource advisors receive training in the awareness and prevention of sexual misconduct and trauma-informed response. The designated confidential resource advisors for River Valley Community College are:

Claremont: Turning Points Network
11 School Street Claremont, NH 03743
1-800-639-3130 [crisis line]
603-543-0155 (Claremont office]
603-863-4053 (Newport office]
www.turningpointsnetwork.org

Keene: Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention
12 Court Street Keene, NH 03431
1-888-511-6287 [crisis line]
603-352-3782 [crisis line]
603-352-3782 [Keene office]
603-209-4015 [Peterborough]
www.mcvprevention.org

Lebanon: WISE
38 Bank Street
Lebanon, NH 03766
1-866-348-WISE (9473] [crisis line]
603-448-5525 [local crisis line]
603-448-5922 [office]
www.wiseuv.org

Reporting and Non-Confidential Resources

Individuals seeking to report incidents of discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and retaliation to the College may do so using any of the following options:

• Utilizing the RVCC Online Title IX Reporting Form.
  Reporting via this online form allows the College to reach out to the reporter and/or complainant to request further information, offer supportive measures, and provide information about resolution options. This does not oblige a complainant to participate in a resolution process. CCSNH strives to respect a complainant’s wishes regarding the pursuit of formal resolution procedures unless there appears to be a compelling threat to their or the community’s health and/or safety. The complainant is largely in control and should not fear loss of privacy by making a report that allows the College to discuss the matter with them and provide supportive measures. If an online reporting form is completed anonymously with no identifying information for the complainant, the College’s ability to offer supportive measures, appropriately investigate the incident, and/or pursue disciplinary action against the alleged may be limited.
• File a Formal Complaint with the Title IX Coordinator.
  Such a report may be made at any time (including non-business hours) by using the telephone number, email address, or mailing address listed for the Title IX Coordinator or any other listed official. Directly contact the Title IX Coordinator using the following contact information:

          Dr. Jennifer Cournoyer
          [email protected]
          603-724.4585

• Reporting to a Mandatory Reporter.
  All CCSNH employees are deemed mandatory reporters for purposes of this policy. Mandatory reporters include any administrator, supervisor, and faculty member who does not have a statutory privilege of confidentiality by law or who has not otherwise been designated as a confidential resource advisor. Mandatory reporters who learn of an incident of discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and retaliation. involving a student or employee are required to report that information to the Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible. Information reported to a mandatory reporter will be shared with others only to the extent necessary to respond to the situation and support the parties and in accordance with state/federal law. Mandatory reporters who themselves are a target misconduct under this policy are not required to report their own experience, though encouraged to do so. If a mandatory reporter fails to comply/report an incident or interferes with an investigation, that employee may be subject to disciplinary action. General inquires to mandatory reporters about policies and procedures and conversations where the alleged perpetrator is not named or implied from the circumstances would not constitute reports for the purpose of this policy. These types of inquiries should nonetheless be referred to the Title IX Coordinator.

Time Limits on Reporting

There is no time limitation on reporting or providing notice/complaints to the College. However, if the respondent is no longer subject to the College’s jurisdiction or if significant time has passed, the ability to investigate, respond, and/or provide remedies may be limited. The Title IX Coordinator may act at their discretion, documenting allegations for future reference, offering supportive measures, or engaging in informal/formal action as appropriate.

The first thing to do is to get to a safe place. Contact a friend, family member, the police department or the hospital to ensure your safety. This does not mean that you have to “report” the details of the incident unless you choose to. This is about your safety.

• Take care of your immediate personal safety
• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger

Medical Support

It is extremely important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible, preferably within 72 hours, because depending on the nature of the assault, you might be injured internally as well as externally. Prompt medical examinations can test for pregnancy, STDs, HIV, and venereal disease. A medical/forensic examination can also secure valuable evidence that could be used later if you wish to have the assailant prosecuted. The patient is in charge of this exam and every step of the medical/forensic examination is optional.  The choice to report to law enforcement is yours, but physical evidence is difficult to collect unless you seek medical attention promptly. Sometimes your initial instincts to drink, bathe, brush your teeth, comb your hair, even change your clothes, while natural, will eliminate evidence.

Emergency medical services may be accessed directly at:

Claremont: Valley Regional Hospital
243 Elm Street Claremont, NH 03743
603-542-7771

Keene: Cheshire Medical Center
580 Court Street Keene, NH 03431
603-354-5400

Lebanon: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
18 Old Etna Road Lebanon, NH 03766
603-650-5000

Confidential Resources

Victims of sexual misconduct/sexual harassment may pursue assistance and/or support confidentially by contacting a New Hampshire Domestic and Sexual Violence Crisis Center. Confidential support services are available to anyone who has been impacted by sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking. Services are open and affirming to all, and an individual need not be in crisis to call.

Claremont: Turning Points Network
11 School Street Claremont, NH 03743
1-800-639-3130 [crisis line]
603-543-0155 (Claremont office]
603-863-4053 (Newport office]
www.turningpointsnetwork.org

Keene: Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention
12 Court Street Keene, NH 03431
1-888-511-6287 [crisis line]
603-352-3782 [crisis line]
603-352-3782 [Keene office]
603-209-4015 [Peterborough]
www.mcvprevention.org

Lebanon: WISE
38 Bank Street
Lebanon, NH 03766
1-866-348-WISE (9473] [crisis line]
603-448-5525 [local crisis line]
603-448-5922 [office]
www.wiseuv.org

Immediate, confidential help is also available by calling:
• New Hampshire 24-hour Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-866-644-3574
• New Hampshire 24-hour Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-277-5570
• National 24-hour Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Conversations with crisis center and crisis line volunteers and advisors (who are also confidential resources) are protected under New Hampshire’s confidentiality statute (NH RSA 173-C).

Other Supports

Additional information concerning counseling, health, safety, academic, and other support services can be obtained by contacting the CCSNH/College Title IX Coordinator, or by contacting the crisis centers listed above.

Individuals accused of sexual misconduct/sexual harassment may seek assistance from a confidential advisor, which may include an advocate or attorney, by contacting the CCSNH/College Title IX Coordinator.

Free Counseling

Online Counseling Services – BetterMynd
Free confidential counseling services available to students
For access visit the RVCC Counseling Website:
http://psychology.juneberryweddings.com/student-support/on-campus-resources/counseling/

Legal Resources

New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

River Valley Community College encourages members of our community to download uSafeUS®, a free and confidential app that helps protect yourself and your community – both on and off-campus. Whenever something feels “off” about a situation you’re in, uSafeUS® is always there to help:

• Fake a call or text to make a smooth exit from an uncomfortable situation
• Notify friends when you’re walking alone 
• Quick links to support and answers to your questions about sexual assault, relationship violence, & stalking.

Download the app at App Store or Google Play.  Select RVCC  as your campus, and become familiar with the uSafeUS® tools and resources available 24/7 wherever you may go.

River Valley Community College is committed to providing current and up to date training for all members of its community that are involved in the implementation of our reporting and grievance process.

Title IX Trainings Available

• Employee Training
• New Student Training
• Advisor Training
• Title IX Coordinator Training
• Decision Maker / Hearing Training
• Investigator Training

A sexual misconduct climate survey with a series of standard form questions was distributed to all undergraduate and graduate students in the state of New Hampshire as a required component of a new state law aimed at addressing campus sexual misconduct. This survey was administered at RVCC in February and March of 2024, and  the survey results can be found here:

RVCC RSA 188 Summary Data Report July 2024 (Link to pdf)

When reviewing the summary findings, please note that the definition of sexual misconduct as it relates to this survey is quite broad, so it is important to read the survey questions and responses in their entirety and note the total number of people who answered a specific question to best understand the results. The results will be an important component in our campus’s ongoing work to prevent and respond to all forms of sexual misconduct and interpersonal violence.

Statewide data on the sexual misconduct survey can be found here:
Link to Statewide NH Data