Arapahoe Community College provides a variety of educational material and presentations to promote sexual assault awareness and prevention. Expert counselors and law enforcement professionals provide classes and programs on sexual assault, safe dating, self-defense and victimization.  Safe Dating brochures are available outside the Campus Police Department.

The majority of sexual assaults that occur in the campus environment are committed by people known to their victims. Acquaintance sexual assaults are more common than "stranger rape." Often, acquaintance sexual assaults are not reported to the police, because victims do not think that unwanted sexual intercourse or contact by a person known to them is sexual assault.

Often assailants target victims who have been using drugs or alcohol because of their increased vulnerability. It is impossible for anyone to predict that a sexual assault will occur.

• Avoid people who don't allow you to make  your own decisions, those who give you the feeling that you "owe them" something.
• Be very explicit with dates about how intimate you expect the relationship to be.
• Do not assume that a person will know that you are comfortable with "going so far" and no further.
• Sex offender information is available at the Colorado Convicted Sex Offender website at http://sor.state.co.us.

Facts about Rohypnol

Rohypnol is a tranquilizer that has been called the "date rape drug" because of its use in sexual assaults. In its most common form Rohypnol is distributed as a small, round, white "aspirin-like" tablet. The drug is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Street names include "roofies", "roopies" "circles", "ruffles", "roches", and "the forget pills". Rohypnol produces profound, prolonged sedation, a feeling of well being, and short-term memory loss. The effects are felt between 15 minutes and an hour following ingestion and can last from 4-24 hours.

Protect Yourself:

• Don't drink beverages that you did not open yourself.
• Don't exchange or share drinks with anyone.
• Don't drink from a container that is being passed around.
• If someone offers you a drink at a bar or club, accompany the person to the bar, watch the drink being poured, and carry the drink yourself.
• Don't leave your drink unattended while using the restroom or making a phone call - if you realize you have, throw the drink away.
• Don't mix drugs and alcohol.

Get to a safe place and call the police if:

• You experience dizziness, extreme drowsiness or sudden and unexplained symptoms.
• You wake up very "hung over" and experience memory lapse.
• You feel like someone had sex with you, but you can't remember it taking place.

If you've been sexually assaulted, it's never too late to get help:

• Go to a safe place.
• Call someone.
• Do not bathe, wash hands or clean fingernails; it is important that victims preserve evidence that may be necessary to prove criminal sexual assault.
• Do not remove clothing worn during or following the assault as these frequently contain valuable fiber, hair and fluid evidence.
• Do not apply or take any medication.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible.
• When you get to the hospital, tell the triage staff you have been sexually assaulted.

If the assault happened some time ago:

• Seek counseling.
• Seek medical attention for treatment of injuries or symptoms related to the assault.
• Consider reporting the incident to the police.
• Pursue the campus judicial process.
• Pursue academic or administrative assistance.
• Access other community support resources.

Reporting an incident of sexual assault is a difficult yet important decision. Making a report may help with recovery, provide support resources and prevent the offender from assaulting someone else. If you believe you are a victim of a sexual assault which occurred on campus or at a college-sponsored activity, call the Campus Police Department at 303.797.5800, the Student Affairs office at 303.797.4222, the jurisdiction where the assault occurred or 911.

If a victim chooses, he/she may be assisted by college authorities in reporting the assault to the proper law enforcement authorities.  After making the report, the victim is not obligated to continue with legal or college disciplinary action. 

Coping with Sexual Assault

Victims of sexual assault may find it helpful to discuss their experience with a counselor.  Victim Advocates and counselors are available to meet with victims in an informal and private setting.  Referrals for these services are available through the Student Affairs office.  The Student Affairs Office and the Campus Police Department may also be able to assist in changing a student’s academic situation, by serving as a source of referral to outside agencies, and by providing information about on and off campus reporting, prosecution procedures, and the college disciplinary process. 

College Response to a Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is a criminal act which subjects the perpetrator to criminal and civil penalties in state and federal courts.  In addition, Arapahoe Community College will respond administratively if a sexual assault or other criminal offense involves a student or employee as the offender.  Students and employees are subject to applicable laws, college policies and disciplinary procedures, including policies prohibiting sexual harassment.

Possible Sanctions against the Offenders

Victims may begin a disciplinary action by reporting the incident to the Campus Police Department or to the Student Affairs office.  A written statement detailing the incident may be requested.  The accuser and accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a disciplinary hearing.  In the case of sexual assault, both the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome.  In addition to any criminal sanctions, a sexual assault perpetrator is subject to appropriate employee or student disciplinary sanctions.

• Faculty and Staff:  The range of employment penalties include but is not limited to one or more of the following:  counseling, reprimand, suspension, or termination of employment.
• Students:   Students who violate federal, state or local laws are subject to criminal charges.  In addition, the perpetrator may be subject to disciplinary actions as set forth in the Student code of conduct.  The ranges of sanctions for violations of the Code of Conduct include but are not limited to, one or more of the following:  suspension or expulsion, alteration of class schedule, probation,  loss of privileges or a warning.

Rights of a Victim

A person who reports having been sexually assaulted has the right to:

• Request a female or male officer to take the report.
• Have his/her identity protected, consistent with legal requirements.
• Be treated professionally and with sensitivity, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation of the victim or the perpetrator.
• Assistance with medical treatment, counseling, and other resources, if desired, including transportation to a hospital.
• Have one primary investigator assigned to the case and have his/her case investigated fully, if he/she chooses to report the assault to the Campus Police.
• Be informed of the outcome of a police investigation.
• Request an alternative academic or employment situation if such an alternative is available.
• Have all questions answered fully.
• Upon request, the College will disclose to the alleged victim of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, the results of any disciplinary hearing conducted by the College against the student who is the alleged perpetrator of the crime or offense.  If the alleged victim is deceased as a result of the crime or offense, the College will provide the results of the disciplinary hearing to the victim’s next of kin, if so requested.

Sexual Harassment Policy

 State of Colorado and Federal Law, and State Board Policies and Procedures prohibit sexual harassment of students and College employees.  The Student Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure (SP4-31a) is intended to allow students an opportunity to present an issue which they feel warrants action with respect to the right to secure educational benefits and services without regard to sex.  Students should contact the Student Affairs Office for assistance with filing a sexual harassment complaint.

 For further information about this procedures, contact ACC’s Title IX Compliance Officer, David Castro, Chief Operating Officer/Human Resources at 303.797.5720.

 Sex Offender Registry

 Information concerning persons who are required by Colorado law to register as sex offenders may be obtained from the Littleton Police Department, Records Division, 2255 West Berry Avenue, Littleton, CO 80165, 303.795.3880, or the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Department, Records Division, 13101 E. Bronco Pkwy. Blvd., Centennial, CO 80112, 303.795.4780. The Colorado Convicted Sex Offender Website is http://sor.state.co.us.

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