Title IX Student Resources

What conduct is prohibited under the 2020 Regulations?

The 2020 federal regulations narrow the definition of sexual harassment to include only unwelcome conduct that is so severe, pervasive and objectionably offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the our colleges. Beyond sexual harassment, federally defined prohibited conduct includes sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.

In addition to meeting one or more of these definitions, for the federal regulations to apply the conduct must have happened in the US, in conjunction with a Seattle Colleges program or activity, or in a building owned or controlled by Seattle Colleges or a recognized student organization. Finally, the complainant must be a current student, employee, applicant, or otherwise participating in a Seattle Collegess program or activity.

If sexual misconduct happens off campus, will Seattle Colleges still investigate?

The 2020 federal regulations apply to locations, events, or circumstances over which the Colleges exercised substantial control over both the respondent and the place where the conduct occurred. The 2020 federal regulations also apply to any building owned or controlled by a recognized student organization. If the criteria is not met for jurisdiction under the 2020 Title IX regulations, the Colleges may still investigate if the conduct would violate other Seattle Colleges Student Policy, (Policy 375 Student Conduct Code).

If what happened to me isn’t covered by the 2020 Federal Regulations, will Seattle Colleges still investigate?

Seattle Colleges will continue to address all complaints of sexual misconduct and will assess formal complaints to determine if Seattle Colleges policy and/or federal regulations apply. If you make a formal complaint, the investigator will assess which policies may or may not apply, and if an investigation is initiated, what procedures will be used.

If you have experienced—or think you may have experienced—sexual assault, stalking, relationship or intimate partner violence, sex- or gender-based harassment, and/or another form of sexual misconduct, resources, support measures and reporting option are available to you. Choosing one option does not preclude others; you can pursue any of them at any time. You can also contact the Title IX coordinator of your campus at any time, for any reason.

• Title IX coordinators by campus

Know Your IX Supportive Guide and Resources 

All District employees (faculty, staff, student employees and administrators) are designated as “responsible employees” required to report and must report actual or suspected Title IX violations immediately, subject to limited exceptions for employees who are statutorily barred from reporting (counselors etc.). All details of the reports they receive must be shared promptly to the Title IX Coordinator of their campus. If the complaint is against that Title IX Coordinator, the impacted party should report the matter to the president’s, or Chancellor’s office for referral to an alternate designee.

Starting with speaking with a counselor is the best way to ensure your confidentiality. Counselors can help you consider options and provide support. Please ensure you are speaking to a confidential counselor before you disclose any information. Please also consult with the Washington Coalition for Sexual Assault Programs for more information about confidentiality options. 

Mental Health Counselors are licensed to provide confidential counseling services under RCW 18.225. All practitioners who are licensed to provide mental health counseling services are subject to confidentiality requirements imposed by either RCW 5.60.060 or RCW 18.83.110. 

For Students in Crisis:

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency/need immediate assistance please call 911, the King County Crisis Connections at 866.427.4747 and/or text the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

Counseling and Crisis Support Resources

Counseling may assist with recovery from a traumatic experience. Seattle Colleges offers short-term counseling for students on its three campuses and referrals to open-ended counseling services off campus. However, please ensure you are speaking to a confidential counselor before you disclose any information. 

If you have experienced sexual assault, relationship and intimate partner violence, stalking, sex- and gender-based harassment, and/or other sexual misconduct, therapy may include:

• Providing information about trauma and its effects
• Providing information on mindfulness techniques
• Providing tools to support healthy sleep, diet, or exercise habits
• Helping you identify and deal with negative feelings about the traumatic event, such as feelings of guilt or shame
• Helping you identify and deal with negative thoughts about the traumatic event, such as self-blame
• Assisting you in reducing anxiety when exposed to people or places that are reminders of the trauma

Counselors can:

• Help you understand your rights
• Support you in creating a plan for your situation
• Connect you with supportive measures, including academic or employment support
• Assist in implementing a mutual no contact directive
• Inform you of Seattle Colleges formal complaint and police reporting options and support you through one or both of these processes
• Assist you in obtaining a civil protection order (sometimes referred to as a restraining order)
• Review your housing options
• Refer you to on- and off-campus resources, including attorneys or mental health professionals

In general, state law protects the confidentiality of counseling relationships and records. Again, please check you are speaking to a confidential counselor before disclosing any information.  For more specific information about confidentiality, consult with counseling services staff or your counselor, who can answer any questions you have.

• Counselors have limitations on confidentiality when they learn of:
  • Abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18
  • Elder abuse or the abuse of a disabled adult
  • A plan for self harm or harm to others

Additional Counseling Resources

College Counseling Clinics (supervised Masters and PhD level clinicians with sliding scale fees)

• Antioch University – 2505 3rd Avenue, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 268-4840, clinic.aus@antioch.edu
• City University – 521 Wall St., Suite 100 Seattle, WA 98121, cityu.edu/student-services/counseling-center
• Bastyr – 3670 Stone Way North, Seattle, WA 98103 (206) 834-4100
• Seattle Pacific University – 3307 3rd Ave. W., Seattle, WA 98119 (206) 281-2657, SCC@spu.edu 

Find a Counselor (search engines for identifying private practice counselors as well as clinics)

• Counseling WA 
• Open Path 
• Psychology Today

Note, please also consult with the Washington Coalition for Sexual Assault Programs for more information about confidentiality options.

Legal Resources

• Legal Voice
• Sexual Violence Law Center
• Student Legal Services (Serves students enrolled on the Seattle campus)
• King County Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinics

Legal Advocacy and Support

King County:

• Asian Counseling and Referral Service
• API Chaya
• Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services
• Consejo Counseling and Referral Service for the Latino community
• Crisis Clinic – 24-hour crisis line and community resource directory 866-4CRISIS
• LifeWire
• Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress (HCSATS)
• King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) – 24-hour crisis line 888-99-VOICE
• New Beginnings
• Northwest Network for Bi, Trans, Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse

Pierce County: 

• Rebuilding Hope!  Sexual Assault Center for Pierce County – 24-hour crisis, information, and referral line: 800-756-7273 or 253-474-7273
• YWCA of Pierce County – 24-hour crisis line: 253-383-2593

National:

• Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)

Please also consult with the Washington Coalition for Sexual Assault Programs for more information about confidentiality options.

Health Insurance Resources

• Washington State Healthcare insurance information about mental health coverage

Agencies

• King County Mental Health Services 
• Asian Counseling and Referral Services — 3639 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S, Seattle, WA 98144(206) 695-7600, info@acrs.org
• Atlantic Street Center — 2103 South Atlantic Street, Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 329-2050, ascinfo@atlanticstreet.org
• El Centro de la Raza — 2524 16th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 957-4634
• Seattle Counseling Service — 1216 Pine Street, Suite 300, Seattle WA 98101 (206) 323-1768, info@seattlecounseling.org
• Seattle Indian Health Board — 611 - 12th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 324-9360, info@sihb.org
• Sound Mental Health — 1600 E Olive St, Seattle WA, 98102 (206) 302-2300
• Wellspring — (206) 826-3050 
  Downtown Seattle 1191 2nd Avenue, Suite 690 (2nd & Seneca), Seattle, WA 98101
  Rainier Avenue South Seattle 1900 Rainier Avenue South, Second Floor, WA 98144 
  Redmond 16150 NE 85th Street, Suite 222, Redmond, WA 98052

College employees, except those statutorily barred from doing so, have a duty to immediately report possible Title IX violations to the Title IX coordinator of their campus.

If you have confidentiality concerns, the Title IX Coordinator can discuss your options with you. You may request confidentiality. The district will attempt to protect your privacy to the fullest possible extent, consistent with our legal obligations to comply with federal and state laws and to protect our students and community. More information about confidentiality is found in Procedure 283.

Please direct questions about protecting your privacy to the Title IX coordinator of your campus.
 

Consider contacting a confidential counselor before disclosing to other Seattle Colleges employees. When meeting with a counselor, you can share as little or as much information as you choose. Sharing information with Confidential Counselor is not the same as making a formal complaint to Seattle Colleges for the purpose of starting an Investigation.

Please note, you do not need to make a formal complaint to seek the assistance of a counselor. Confidential mental health licensed counselors have legally protected confidentiality and only share information with others when given specific permission by the person who has experienced the harm or when required by law.

The Office of the Title IX Coordinator and Seattle Colleges Safety and Security/ Police do not have legally protected confidentiality but strive to safeguard the privacy of individuals who have been impacted by sex and gender-based violence and harassment. They share information as needed to respond to the requests of those who have been harmed, to assess community safety, or to comply with legal requirements.

Seattle Colleges’ priority is to provide support, resources, and options—including the option to make a formal Claim—to any person who has experienced sexual assault, stalking, relationship or intimate partner violence, sex- or gender-based harassment, and/or other sexual misconduct. Seattle Colleges must consider potential impact or harm to others in Seattle Colleges Community. Safety and Security, the Office of the Title IX Coordinator, and confidential counselors all play an essential role in supporting affected individuals, including those of any gender, gender-identity, citizenship, or immigration status.

The best way to ensure that support and options are provided to someone who has experienced violence or harassment—and to ensure that overall community safety is considered—is to contact Safety and Security.

Seattle Colleges Safety and Security or police provide consultation and support when you have safety and well being concerns for yourself or others, including concerns about sex- or gender-based violence and harassment.

Call 911 in the case of emergency, or the campus security office. Ensure your safety first.

Campus Security Offices

North Seattle College: CC 1252, phone: 206.934.3636

Seattle Central College: BE 1108, phone: 206.934.5442

• Seigal Center: BE 1108, phone: 206.934.5442
• Wood Technology Center: phone: 206.934.5442
• Health Education Center: phone: 206-255-3974 / 206.934.5442. Security officers usually sit at a table just inside the main entrance on the south side of the Pacific Tower Building.
• Seattle Maritime Academy: phone: 206.934.5442

South Seattle College: RSB62A, phone: 206.934.5157

• Georgetown Apprenticeship and Education Center: C102, phone: 206.354.6185 

When you contact Safety and Security, they will assess your needs and help you determine next steps. They will summarize the information you have shared  and provide it to a counselor and the Title IX coordinator of your campus. Seattle Colleges Safety and Security and the Title IX Coordinator strive to safeguard your information, but do not have legally protected confidentiality. Knowing this, you may choose to remain anonymous when you contact them or share limited details about your experience. If the response specialist believes other Seattle Colleges professionals need to receive information about your situation—to protect you or the safety of others—SDC Safety and Security and the Title IX Coordinators will make you aware of that. To be clear, Safety and Security does not conduct investigations but, in addition to connecting you with a counselor, they can connect you with an office that receives complaints and initiates investigations.

When Safety and Security is contacted, they will:

• Conduct a real-time safety assessment to provide immediate support or safety planning if needed
• Provide this guide to the person who has experienced the behaviors or to any caller who can forward this guide to the affected person
• Connect the affected person with a counselor who can help explain their rights and options and provide ongoing support if desired
• Share the information they have received with the Title IX Coordinator of the campus to allow for an assessment of risk to Seattle Colleges Community and to identify any patterns or broader issues related to reported behavior
• Provide support and consultation to the caller to assist them in next steps and/or address any other concerns they may have
• Allow callers to remain anonymous and/or only share limited details to protect a survivor’s identity*

All District employees (faculty, staff, student employees and administrators) are designated as “responsible employees” required to report and must report actual or suspected Title IX violations immediately, subject to limited exceptions for employees who are statutorily barred from reporting, counselors. All details of the reports they receive must be shared promptly to the Title IX Coordinator of their campus. 

If an individual situation is determined to be severe, ongoing, or systemic, the Office of the Title IX Coordinator will work with relevant Seattle Colleges partners to determine the need for formal action—if any—beyond providing support, resources, and reporting options to the affected person.

For Students and Employees in Crisis

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency/need immediate assistance please call 911, the King County Crisis Connections at 866.427.4747 and/or text the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. There is also the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline- Hours: Available 24 hours.

After an assault you may want to seek medical care, especially if you have concerns about STIs, pregnancy, or physical injuries. Generally, seeking medical care as soon as possible is advised, and some services are time-sensitive. Relevant evidence is best collected within 72 hours but may be collected up to 120 hours after an assault.

Some health care facilities have SANEs who are specially-trained to work with patients who have been sexually assaulted.

They will explain each step of the -process and allow you to make decisions about what you want to do next. A SANE exam is an important way to preserve evidence should you choose to make a police report.

If you have been sexually assaulted, a SANE can offer:

• A physical exam that will identify any injuries
• Emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy
• Sexually-transmitted infection (STI) testing and prophylaxis medication to prevent infection
• Optional forensic evidence collection and documentation

Federal and state law protect the confidentiality of medical records. Information retained in medical provider records that is otherwise confidential may be subject to disclosure in response to a valid subpoena or court order.

Health care facilities near Seattle Colleges campuses with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE):

• UW Medical Center (Montlake)
• Harborview Medical Center
• Valley Medical Center, Swedish Hospital (First Hill)
• Seattle Children’s Hospital (for individuals under the age of 18)
• Evergreen Health Medical Center in Kirkland and Redmond
• St. Michael’s Medical Center: Bremerton and Silverton
• Tacoma General Hospital

 
If a SANE is unavailable, you may be transferred to another medical facility.

Contact these resources to learn more about seeking medical care and options to preserve evidence. You may access medical care prior to contacting Seattle Colleges support resources or reporting offices.

Other Community Resources:

Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center—Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress
206.744.1600

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
888.99.VOICE (86423) (24-hour resource line)
kcsarc.org

New Beginnings – Ending Domestic Violence
206.522.9472 (24-hour helpline)
newbegin.org

The Northwest Network of Bi, Trans, Lesbian & Gay Survivors of Abuse
206.568.7777
nwnetwork.org

Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services
206.812.1001
adwas.org

Rebuilding Hope!
The Sexual Assault Center for Pierce County 24-hour Crisis, Information and Referral Line
800.756.7273
sexualassaultcenter.com

Crystal Judson Family Justice Center (Tacoma)
(serving domestic violence victims and their children)
253.798.4166 (helpline)
aplaceofhelp.com

LifeWire – Together Against Domestic Violence (Bellevue)
425.746.1940
lifewire.org

RAINN - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
800.656.HOPE (4673)
rainn.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline
800.799.7233
thehotline.org

Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs
360.754.7583
wcsap.org

Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
(WSCADV) 1.800.799.7233 
wscadv.org

Culturally specific advocacy and support

API Chaya
877.922.4292
apichaya.org

Consejo Counseling and Referral Service
206.461.4880
consejocounseling.org

Jewish Family Service
206.461.3222
jfsseattle.org

Mother Nation
206.722.2321
mothernation.org

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
800.445.5771
nwirp.org

Our Sisters’ House
253.383.4275
oursistershouse.com

Refugee Women’s Alliance
206.721.0243
rewa.org

Seattle Indian Health Board
206.324.9360
sihb.org

Tacoma Community House
53.383.3951
tacomacommunityhouse.org
 

Academic accommodations can be made for a temporary health condition or injury as well as for a permanent disability such as an acute stress disorder developed or triggered because of trauma.

Seattle Colleges Student Services Staff can advise for academic support, such as:

• More time on exams
• Extensions for papers or projects
• Alterations to course requirements
• Modifications to participation requirements
• Remote attendance for lectures or classes
• Recording of lectures
• Switching course or discussion sections
• Adjustments to lab or desk space

You may seek supportive measures without an investigation being launched. However, some additional protective measures may be available if you choose to make a formal Claim, such as adjustments to the other person’s living, working, or study spaces

Accommodations Offices

• South Seattle College Access Services
• Seattle Central College Accessibility Resource Center
• North Seattle College Accessibility Services

For additional resources, refer to the accordion box Title IX Support Counseling And Crisis Support (above).

Please review all the information on the Title IX Website:
www.seattlecolleges.edu/administration/human-resources/title-ix-sexual-misconduct-and-gender-based-incidents

Where to submit a Claim?

• Students and Employees can file a claim of sexual harassment on Maxient. 
• Find your coordinator. 

Additional Student Resources: 

North Seattle: https://northseattle.edu/resources  
Seattle Central: https://seattlecentral.edu/campus-life/student-support-and-services/student-rights-and-responsibilities/Claim-process 
South Seattle: https://southseattle.edu/access-services/student-resources

Reporting is both a right and an individual choice. Consider connecting with a confidential, certified counselor to discuss your options.
 

Reporting Options

Making a formal Claim to Seattle Colleges

A formal Claim is a request for an investigation. You have the right to submit a formal Claim about any behavior that feels inappropriate or unwelcome. Seattle Colleges will respond to your Claim, whether you choose to file a police report or not.

The process Seattle Colleges follows to investigate and resolve Claims depends on who engaged in the behavior—a student, an employee, or a person unaffiliated with Seattle Colleges. Processes are designed to be prompt, fair, impartial and to equitably protect the rights of individuals participating in them. If you choose to submit a Claim, a confidential counselor can work with you throughout the Claim, investigation, and hearing process if you so choose, as you also will work with the title IX Coordinator of your campus. 

Seattle Colleges must investigate sexual harassment allegations in a formal Claim. A formal Claim is a document alleging sexual harassment has occurred and requesting the school investigate. The school should generally respect the wishes of the complainant, when possible, for confidentiality, but in some cases a Title IX Coordinator may file the formal Claim even if the complainant does not want to participate in the Title IX process.

Reporting to the Police

Behaviors described in this guide may also be a crime, and you may report them directly to the police. Police with jurisdiction over the location where the alleged crime occurred will investigate. If you have also chosen to report to Seattle Colleges, Seattle Colleges will make legally allowed efforts to work cooperatively with the law enforcement agency but will not unduly delay its own investigation. If you do report to the police, they may notify Seattle Colleges that a report has been made. Counselors can provide you with more information about reporting to the police. They can provide services regardless of where an incident took place. 

Seeking a Court-Issued Protective Order

The main purpose of a court-issued protective order is to keep the respondent or subject from contacting you or causing further physical harm. There are different types of protective orders available based on the situation and the people involved. Counselors are available to provide more information and support in seeking a protective order.

Follow these steps if you believe you may have been involved in a sexual misconduct or gender-based incident:

Call 911 in the case of emergency, or contact the campus security office. Ensure your safety.

Campus Security Offices

North Seattle College: CC 1252, phone: 206.934.3636

Seattle Central College: BE 1108, phone: 206.934.5442

• Seigal Center: BE 1108, phone: 206.934.5442
• Wood Technology Center: phone: 206.934.5442
• Health Education Center: phone: 206-255-3974 / 206.934.5442. Security officers usually sit at a table just inside the main entrance on the south side of the Pacific Tower Building.
• Seattle Maritime Academy: phone: 206.934.5442

South Seattle College: RSB62A, phone: 206.934.5157

• Georgetown Apprenticeship and Education Center: C102, phone: 206.354.6185 

File a Claim as soon as possible. (Printed copies of the Claim form and investigation procedures are also kept in the HR and Student Services Office.)

Send the claim to the Title IX coordinator on your campus.

Also, refer to the Title IX webpage.

Privacy and Seattle Colleges Records

Seattle Colleges seeks to protect the privacy of those who participate in investigations of sexual assault, stalking, relationship or intimate partner violence, sex- and gender-based harassment, and/or other sexual misconduct in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. It balances this practice with the need to investigate and address prohibited behaviors, prevent their recurrence, and remedy their effects.

Some information relevant to investigations may be protected from disclosure by law, such as student records which are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or healthcare information which is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

In the case that information related to an investigation must be shared, it will be limited to those persons with a legitimate educational or business need to know. This might include the staff of the Office of the Title IX Coordinator, Seattle Colleges Human Resources, the Office of Academic Student Services or the administrative head of a Seattle Colleges department or unit.

Seattle Colleges must also report campus crime statistics, including those relevant to incidents of sexual violence, in compliance with its obligations under the Clery Act. Personally identifiable information is never disclosed in this context. If information is requested through a valid subpoena, court order, or warrant, Seattle Colleges may be required to disclose it.

If you have concerns about whether Seattle Colleges is in compliance with Title IX or other relevant laws, you may make a claim to state or federal enforcement agencies, including the following:

• U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Washington State Human Rights Commission