Help and Support Against Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence

Sterling College is dedicated to making our campus safe for all students. SC’s is committed to keep each student safe and informed.  If you have been sexually assaulted or a victim of sexual violence, we urge you to reach out to a counselor for emotional support and get medical care.

File a Complaint  Students of Concern

It is everyone’s job to protect our campus and ensure that misconduct at SC is never tolerated. Sexual harassment and sexual violence can happen to anyone: a friend, a sister, a brother, a coworker. You can make a difference by understanding SC’s policies and speaking up when you see an unsafe situation. Let’s work together to make SC a safe place to learn and live. Take the time to learn how to be safe on campus, what to do when you, or a friend, are being harassed, and how SC will handle these incidents. This information is important for everyone!

As Warriors, we look out for each other. Speak Up. We are SC Community!

Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Information

Many people do not report sexual misconduct because they do not know that what they have experienced is really against College policy or that the College can help. An understanding of the terms sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape is important to prevent misconduct from happening. 

"Sexual Harassment" is conduct on the basis of sex that constitutes Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment, Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, or Stalking.

"Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment" is an employee of the College conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the College on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual contact.

"Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment" is unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person access to the College’s education programs and activities.

  1. Unwelcome efforts to develop a romantic or sexual relationship;
  2. Unwelcome commentary about an individual’s body or sexual activities;
  3. Threatening to engage in the commission of an unwelcome sexual act with another person;
  4. Engaging in indecent exposure; voyeurism, or other invasion of personal privacy; which may include unwelcome texts, e-mails, social media posts, and other forms of electronic communication. and
  5. Unwelcome physical touching or closeness that does not rise to the level of Sexual Assault.

“Sexual Assault” includes any physical, sexual act that is done without the consent of all people involved. including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of age or because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.  Attempts are included.

“Domestic Violence” are crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of Kansas, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of Kansas.

“Dating Violence” is another form of sexual harassment.  This type of sexual harassment is much like domestic violence in that it occurs between people that have been in or are currently in a social relationship of an intimate or romantic nature.

“Stalking” is engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to:

  • Fear for their safety or the safety of others; or
  • Suffer substantial emotional distress.

For additional information regarding the definitions of sexual harassment and the college policy related to Sexual Misconduct see: https://www.sterling.edu/title-ix

Circle of 6

With Circle of 6, you can connect with your friends to stay close, stay safe and prevent violence before it happens. Consider downloading the app today! 

The Circle of 6 app for iPhone and Android makes it quick and easy to reach the 6 friends you choose. Need help getting home? Need an interruption? Two touches lets your circle know where you are and how they can help. Icons represent actions; so that no one can tell what you’re up to.

Designed for college students, it’s fast, easy-to-use and private.It’s the mobile way to look out for your friends, on campus or when you’re out for the night.

Bystander Education

All of us have been bystanders: we heard or seen something and we may or may not have acted.  In most situations there are three participants: victim, perpetrator, and bystander.  The bystander has the power to change the situation when they Step Up. Don’t underestimate the positive impact that you can have on a situation either by acting to prevent or intervene when there is a risk of violence.

Who is the Bystander?

Bystanders are individuals who witness (see and/or hear)

  • Prejudicial remarks and/or behavior
  • Violence to others
  • Individuals damaging their personal health and well being

AND do nothing, or contribute to the negative behavior.

Take Action

People will intervene:

  • 80% of the time when alone
  • 20% of the time when others are present.

Don’t wait for somebody else to do something, STEP UP.

Five Step Decision Making Model for the Bystander

  1. Notice the Event
  2. Interpret it as a problem
  3. Assume Personal Responsibility
  4. Step UP!
  5. Know How to Help

Examples of behaviors where Stepping Up can make a difference:

  • Sexual Violence
  • Hate/Bias Incidents
  • Cyber Bullying
  • Hazing
  • High-Risk Drinking
  • Gambling
  • Depression
  • Physical Violence

Get Involved

When the bystander notices the event as a problem early enough, he or she can prevent the event.  Our in-person education program helps students:

  • Identify different types of violence or risky behavior on campus.
  • Understand why we are reluctant to intervene.
  • Teach different techniques to intervene in a situation.