Resources and Options for Assistance

If an individual desires to talk confidentially about their situation, there are resources available. The following confidential advisors are available to assist you and will not further disclose the information you provide, unless otherwise required to do so by law (e.g., if the victim is a minor):

• Columbia College Counseling Services - (573) 875-7423
• Columbia College Student Health Services - (573) 875-7423
• Employee Assistance Program - (800) 386-7055
• True North of Columbia, MO - (800) 548-2480
• RAINN National Hotline - (800) 656-HOPE
• Military Safe Helpline - (877) 995-5247

*For those individuals not located near Columbia College in Columbia, MO, please contact the Columbia College Title IX Coordinator for additional information about who to contact in your region.

The Title IX Coordinator and/or Deputy Title IX Coordinator(s) will help you understand the process according to College policies as well as offer supportive measures as needed.

• Interim Title IX Coordinator, Jessica Sprague | JSprague@ccis.edu
• Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Patty Fischer - Executive Director of Human Resources | PaFischer@CCIS.edu
• Incidents may also be reported online
• Columbia College Campus Safety - (573) 875-7315

Supportive measures: Following a report of sexual harassment and in accordance with the Title IX and Sexual Harassment Policy, the College will offer and make available supportive measures to the complainant regardless of whether the complainant elects to file a formal complaint. Once the respondent is notified of a formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will also notify the respondent of available supportive measures.

Supportive measure are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered, as appropriate, and reasonably available, and without fee or charge, that are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the College’s Education Programs and Activities without unreasonably burdening another party, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties implicated by a report or the College’s education environment, or to deter sexual harassment. Supportive measures may include: counseling, extensions of academic or other deadlines, course-related adjustments, modifications to work or class schedules, campus escort services, changes in work or housing locations, leaves of absence, increased security and monitoring of certain areas of campus, and other similar measures. Supportive Measures may also include mutual restrictions on contact between the parties implicated by a report.

The College will maintain the confidentiality of Supportive Measures provided to either a complainant or respondent, to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality does not impair the College’s ability to provide the supportive measures in question.

Any person who wishes to make a report of sexual harassment that also constitutes a crime is encouraged to make a complaint to their local law enforcement. If requested, the College will assist the complainant in notifying the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Additionally, a complainant may decline to notify such authorities.

In the event of any emergency, please contact 911.

As necessary and when applicable, the College will cooperate with law enforcement in situations involving sexual harassment.

Orders of protection:

If an individual has obtained an ex parte order of protection, full order of protection, or any other temporary restraining order or no-contact order against the alleged perpetrator from a criminal, civil, or tribal court, the individual should provide such information to the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator(s). The College, in conjunction with Columbia College Campus Safety, will take all reasonable and legal action to implement the order.

If you believe you are the victim of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, or Dating Violence, do everything possible to preserve evidence by making certain that the crime scene is not disturbed. Preservation of evidence may be necessary for proof of the crime or in obtaining a protection order. For those who believe that they are victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, or Dating Violence, the College recommends the following: 

• Get to a safe place as soon as possible.
• Try to preserve all physical evidence of the crime—avoid bathing, using the toilet, rinsing one’s mouth or changing clothes.  If it is necessary, put all clothing that was worn at the time of the incident in a paper bag, not a plastic one.
• Do not launder or discard bedding where the assault occurred- preserve for law enforcement
• Preserve all forms of electronic communication that occurred before, during, or after the assault
• Contact law enforcement by calling 911.
• Get medical attention - all medical injuries are not immediately apparent. This is also necessary to collect evidence in case the individual decides to press charges.  Local hospitals have evidence collection kits necessary for criminal prosecution should the victim wish to pursue charges. Take a full change of clothing, including shoes, for use after a medical examination.
• Contact a trusted person, such as a friend or family member for support.
• Talk with a professional counselor or health care provider who can help explain options, give information, and provide emotional support.
• Make a report to the Title IX Coordinator.
• Explore this policy and avenues for resolution under this policy.

It is also important to take steps to preserve evidence in cases of Stalking, to the extent such evidence exists. Such evidence is more likely to be in the form of letters, emails, text messages, etc. rather than evidence of physical contact and violence. This type of non-physical evidence will also be useful in all types of Sexual Harassment investigations.

At the Columbia, MO location of Columbia College, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examine (SANE) Clinic is available at University Hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and they can be contacted at (573) 882-8091.

*For those individuals not located near Columbia College in Columbia, MO, please contact the Columbia College Title IX Coordinator for additional information about where you can receive SANE services in your region.