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Sexual Violence Prevention

Title IX: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Non-Discrimination

Know your rights! Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in education. It also addresses sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination, and sexual violence. Under Title IX, schools are legally required to respond and remedy hostile educational environments. 

Use our Title IX information and resources to educate yourself about your rights to an education free from sexual violence.

Know Your IX - Definitions and Terms

Is an umbrella term that includes rape, fondling, incest, and statutory rape.

Is conduct based on sex that satisfies either of the following:

  1. An employee of an institution conditioning provision of aid, benefit, or service of an institution on an individual's participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (quid pro quo);
  2. Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the institution's education program or activity.
To report an act of Title IX Sexual Harassment, contact:
  • Barbara Scales
    Executive Director of Organizational Culture & Enrichment
    Title IX Coordinator
    615-220-7976
    bscales@mscc.edu
  • Jeanna Scholz
    Equity Specialist
    Compliance and Equity Specialist
    615-220-7994
    jscholz@mscc.edu
Is any act that is perpetrated against a person's will and based on gender norms and unequal power relationships.
Is controlling, abusive, and aggressive behavior in both a former and current romantic relationship. It can include verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, or a combination of the above.

Is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention, communication, or contact causing a reasonable person to feel fear or concern for one's safety or the safety of someone close to the victim.

Is abuse by one person against another in a domestic setting, such as marriage or cohabitation. This type of violence can occur between current and former spouses or partners, children, parents, or siblings. Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious, reproductive, and sexual abuse.

Is an active agreement to participate in a sexual act. An active agreement is words and/or conduct that communicates a person's willingness to participate in a sexual act.

If You are a Victim of Sexual Violence

  • Immediately go to a safe place. A safe place may be a friend's room, Motlow Police, the local police station, the hospital, or another place where you feel safe from harm
  • Call someone to be with you. Call a friend, family member, or someone else you trust
  • Contact Motlow Police

Preserve physical evidence

Do not shower, bathe, douche, or otherwise clean yourself. If possible, do not urinate. Do not eat, drink liquids, smoke, or brush your teeth if oral contact took place. If you must change your clothes, save all clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. If you have changed your clothes, place the clothing in a paper bag (plastic may destroy evidence). Do not disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred. Following these directions will assist in proving the offense and in obtaining orders of protection.

Get medical attention

Physical safety and medical attention are of primary importance. You could be physically injured, become pregnant, or have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease. Medical attention is available at your local hospital. If done promptly, a medical examination can obtain important evidence should you decide to prosecute.

Document

Write down as much as you can remember about the assailant and the assault. If you decide to report or press charges, you will have the details to give the police.

Seek counseling

Whether or not you report the assault or prosecute, a trained counselor can help you with the emotional trauma of an assault. Confidential emergency and follow-up counseling are available through Motlow Counseling Services.

Moore County

931-393-1923
lstone@mscc.edu

Smyrna Campus

615-220-7913
kclarke@mscc.edu

Fayetteville/McMinnville

931-668-7010 ext. 2175
mpykiet@mscc.edu

Where to Get Help

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program

1423 Kensington Square Court
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Tel: (615) 896-7377
For domestic violence (615) 896-2012
For sexual assault (615) 494-9262
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center

Families in Crisis Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program

706 S Chancery St, McMinnville, TN 37110
(931) 473-6221
CRISIS: 855-CRISIS-1 or 855-274-7471
Families in Crisis

Haven of Hope Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program

Counties: Moore, Bedford, Lincoln,
Franklin, Coffee, Marshall
Crisis Hotline: 800-435-7739 (24⁄7)
Office: 931-728-1133

You Are Not Alone Complaint Guide

You are not Alone: Complaint Guide

Download PDF

RESPONDENT SUPPORT & RESOURCE GUIDE

You Are Not Alone Complaint Guide

DOWNLOAD PDF

Reporting the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

Reducing Your Risk of Sexual Assault

  • Sexual assault is a serious problem that affects both men and women. It is important to remember that no one is ever at fault for being a victim of sexual Violence. The perpetrator is always responsible for violent behavior. Although personal safety can never be guaranteed, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of being the victim of sexual assault. Things you can do:
    • Be aware of your surroundings and think about where you can go to get help if you need it. Higher risk areas include: isolation, by location or darkness or both; limited escape routes; limited or no means to summons help.
    • Be assertive about communicating what you want or don't want from another person.
    • Trust your instincts. If a situation feels uncomfortable to you, there is probably a good reason.
    • Set your sexual limits ahead of time and when you are sober. Know what your limits are for both alcohol and sex before going to a bar or party.
    • Be aware of the effects of alcohol on your body. Alcohol interrupts the ability to make sound decisions and impairs your ability to communicate clearly.
    • Remember - drunk sex jeopardizes your ability to get and give consent.
    • Watch your drink – do not leave it unattended, especially at a bar or party.
    • Stay with friends and watch out for each other. Never leave with someone you just met, and don't let friends leave with someone they just met.
    • When on a date with someone new, make sure that you are responsible for your own transportation. It is safer to meet up with someone than to rely on an unfamiliar person for a ride. Make sure someone else knows your plans for the date.
    • Don't hesitate to call 911 if you think you are in danger.

How to Support a Friend

  • Believe them. Don't ask them to describe what happened or ask judgmental questions. You can say, "I believe you."
  • Remind them that it is not their fault. The responsibility for an assault always completely lies on the perpetrator. You can say, "I'm sorry that someone hurt you."
  • Listen. Let your friend know that you care and that you are available to them when they want to talk. You can say, "Thank you for trusting me with your story."
  • Suggest resources. Examples include talking to a counselor, or a sexual assault advocate, or Title IX Coordinator. Let them make their own decision. You can say, "I support you, whatever you choose to do next."
  • Building A Safe Community: We all have a role to play in eliminating sexual harassment, misconduct and Violence on our campus. When you see someone becoming aggressive or demanding in a public or social setting, or notice someone who is at risk of being taken advantage of, it's your responsibility to intervene. Getting involved doesn't mean necessarily becoming confrontational or combative. Getting involved simply means noticing what is happening around you and then taking action to protect both parties so that bad behavior doesn't cross the line from socializing to sexual assault.

How to be a Bystander & The 5-D's of Intervention

Notice the incident * Interpret the incident as an emergency * Assume responsibility for intervening * Have the bystander intervention skills to help

  • Direct: Step in and address the situation directly.
    • Example: "That's not cool. Please stop." or "Hey, leave them alone."
  • Distract: Create a distraction to suppress the situation.
    • Example: "Hey, aren't you in my Spanish class?"
  • Delegate: Find someone who can help you intervene.
    • Example: You could contact campus police, or a faculty or staff member.
  • Delay: It may be best to delay any action for a few minutes.
    • Example: If you are in a group, you could delay your intervention by asking the person to use the restroom with you.
  • Document – If someone is already helping a person who is in crisis, you can document the situation by recording on your phone, or writing notes.
    • Never post or share a video without the consent of the person being harmed. Putting a video (or even a photo) online can open you or the person who was harmed up to harassment, doxxing, or other continued harm. It may involve law enforcement even when the person harmed doesn’t want that. If the situation ends while you’re present, ask the person harmed if they’d like a copy of the video and let them decide what to do with it.

What Are the Different Types of Abuse?

Physical Abuse

The use of physical force against another person

  • Hitting
  • Slapping
  • Shoving
  • Grabbing
  • Pinching
  • Biting
  • Hair pulling
  • Strangling
  • Denial of medical care

Sexual Abuse

A form of physical abuse in which a person is forced or coerced into unwanted, unsafe, or degrading sexual behavior without that person's consent

  • Forced sexual intercourse (rape)
  • Attacks on sexual parts of the body
  • Unwanted touching or kissing
  • Forcing sex after physical Violence has occurred
  • Treating one in a sexually demeaning manner

Emotional/Verbal or Psychological Abuse

When a person's sense of self, self-esteem and self-worth are attacked and weakened, causing that person to feel trapped and as though they have nothing outside of the relationship

  • Constant criticism
  • Name-calling
  • Yelling
  • Blaming and shaming
  • Isolation from friends, family, school, work
  • Intimidation
  • Belittling
  • Threatening physical harm to self or others, such as children, family, or friends
  • Hurting of pets
  • Damaging property

Economic Abuse

When a person's money is controlled by the other person and he/she becomes financially dependent on them as a result

  • Control of access to money
  • Withholding money
  • Having to account for any money spent
  • Withholding basic necessities (food, clothes, medications, shelter)
  • Forbidding work or school

What Are the Signs That You Might Be in an Abusive Relationship?

Does your partner ever

  • Put you down, call you names, or make you feel bad about yourself?
  • Make you do something humiliating or degrading, or embarrass you in front of others?
  • Control what you do, who you see or talk to, or where you go?
  • Stop you from seeing your friends or family members?
  • Take your money, make you ask for money, or refuse to give you money?
  • Intentionally damage your possessions or threaten to do so?
  • Tell you that you are a bad parent or threaten to take away or hurt your children?
  • Prevent you from working or attending school?
  • Act like the abuse is no big deal, it is your fault, or even deny doing it?
  • Make all the big decisions and/or control the money?
  • Intimidate you with guns, knives, or other weapons?
  • Shove you, slap you, choke you, or hit you?
  • Force you to try and drop charges you have filed?
  • Threaten to commit suicide?
  • Threaten to kill you?
  • Use drugs and alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you?
  • Pressure you sexually for things you are uncomfortable doing?
  • Tell you that you are nothing without them?

Do you

  • Ever feel like you are walking on eggshells?
  • Sometimes feel scared of how your partner will act?
  • Constantly make excuses to other people for your partner's behavior?
  • Believe that you can help your partner change if only you change yourself?
  • Try not to do anything that would cause conflict or make your partner angry?
  • Always do what your partner wants you to do instead of doing what you want?
  • Stay because you are afraid of what your partner would do to you if you broke up?

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