Applicable College Policies and Procedures

 
 
Sexual violence, relationship abuse and stalking are all violations of Siena College’s Code of Conduct, as outlined in Siena Life, the student handbook. These offenses may also fall under Siena College’s Human Rights Policy and Procedures. The complete text of the Relationship Abuse, Sexual Violence and Stalking Policy is included below. Applicable portions of the Human Rights Policies and Procedures may be found in Siena Life or by selecting this pdf link-Human Rights Policies and Procedures. 
 
RELATIONSHIP ABUSE (Domestic/Dating Violence); SEXUAL VIOLENCE and STALKING POLICY
 
Siena College is committed to maintaining a community environment where all members demonstrate respect for the dignity and unique worth of each individual and work together in friendship and respect to build a world that is more just, peaceable and humane. Relationship abuse, sexual violence and stalking are behaviors that are antithetical to our values and to our vision of what it means to live and learn in a safe, respectful and inclusive community. The following policy reflects Siena’s mission and values.
 
Definition of Relationship Abuse
 
Relationship abuse is a pattern of coercive or abusive behaviors used to gain and/or exercise control and power in a relationship. This may be with an individual with whom the student had, or has, or seeks to initiate, a dating or interpersonal, or sexual relationship. Abusive behaviors can be physical, sexual, psychological, verbal or emotional and include, but are not limited to: harassment; stalking; intimidation; emotional, verbal or economic threats; or infliction or threat of bodily harm. Relationship abuse is sometimes called domestic violence, dating violence or intimate partner violence. Examples include:
 
  • name-calling, insulting or putdowns
  • keeping or limiting a person from contacting family or friends (isolation)
  • withholding money, food or other necessities
  • stopping the person from getting or keeping a job
  • actual or threatened physical harm (including throwing objects)
  • sexual assault (including pressuring or forcing sexual activity)
  • stalking
  • possessiveness or extreme jealousy
  • intimidation
  • physical assault (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.)
  • sexual abuse (unwanted or forced sexual activity)
  • emotional isolation/manipulation
 
Visit the Siena College Sexual Violence Prevention Website (www.sienacollege.edu/SexualViolencePrevention) for more information about how to recognize relationship abuse, including warning signals of relationship abuse.
 
Definition of Sexual Violence
 
Sexual violence is defined as physical acts of a sexual nature perpetuated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent. A number of acts fall into the category of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion. Refer to the College’s human rights policy and procedures for more detailed information regarding sexual violence.
 
Visit the Siena College Sexual Violence Prevention Website (www.sienacollege.edu/SexualViolencePrevention) for more information about how to recognize sexual violence, including warning signals of sexual violence.
 
Definition of Stalking
 
Stalking includes any behaviors or activities occurring on more than one occasion in person, online or by any other means that place another person in reasonable fear of harm or threatens his or her mental health and/or are intended to cause emotional distress. Such behaviors may include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Unwelcome communications of any type, including face-to-face, telephone calls, voice messages, e-mail, text messages, written letters or notes and unwanted gifts
  • Use of threatening words or conduct
  • Pursuing or following
  • Observing and/or surveillance
 
Common types of stalking behaviors include:
 
  • Non-consensual communication including in person, telephone calls, voice messages, e-mails, social networking site postings,instant messages, posting of pictures or information on web sites, written letters, gifts or any other communications that are undesired and/or place another person in fear
  • Following, pursuing, waiting or showing up uninvited at a workplace, place of residence, classroom or other locations frequented by a victim
  • Surveillance and other types of observation, whether by physical proximity or electronic means
  • Trespassing
  • Vandalism
  • Non-consensual touching
  • Direct physical and/or verbal threats against the victim or victim’s loved ones
  • Gathering information about the victim from family, friends, co-workers or classmates
  • Manipulative and controlling behaviors such as threats to harm oneself or threats to harm someone close to the victim
  • Defamation or slander against victim
 
Visit the Siena College Sexual Violence Prevention Website (www.sienacollege.edu/SexualViolencePrevention) for more information about how to recognize stalking, including warning signals of stalking.
 
Who is covered?
 
This policy specifically addresses behavior of Siena College students toward others.
 
Resolving Complaints of Relationship Abuse, Sexual Violence or Stalking
 
Complaints of relationship abuse or stalking shall be received, investigated and adjudicated pursuant to the Siena College Student Conduct Review procedures through the office of student affairs or the Siena College Human Rights Policy. Complaints of sexual violence shall be received, investigated and adjudicated pursuant to the Siena College Human Rights Policy. Refer to the procedures outlined in Siena Life for each process. College sanctions range from warnings, education and probation up to and including expulsion from the College.
 
Recognize, Report, Prevent: Additional Resources
 
The Siena College Sexual Violence Prevention Website (www.sienacollege.edu/SexualViolencePrevention) provides detailed information to assist members of the Siena College community is recognizing, reporting and preventing relationship abuse, sexual violence and stalking. The website includes, but is not limited to, information regarding:
 
  • Victim safety and assistance accommodations
  • Counseling and support services for survivors
  • How to help someone who has been the victim of sexual violence
  • On and off-campus reporting procedures
  • Applicable New York State laws, ordinances and legal penalties
  • How to become an active bystander
  • Ways to get involved in violence prevention efforts at Siena