Sexual Respect and Title IX @ NLU

Watch this video to get a better understanding of Title IX and how it protects the NLU community from sexual misconduct.

Meet Danielle Laban, NLU's Title IX Coordinator. Here she explains important terms, her role as Title IX Coordinator, and your reporting options in any instances of sexual misconduct. 

We take every report of sexual misconduct seriously. We will make sure that all parties are aware of the policies and procedures related to a report of sexual misconduct.

Both the person who experiences or reports an incident of sexual misconduct or relationship violence (Complainant) and the person who is the subject of an investigation related to sexual misconduct or relationship violence (Respondent) have rights. See what those rights are in the video above.

As a bystander, you have the ability to see situations from a different perspective. Look out for your friends, and work to create an environment where sexual violence is unacceptable!

Uncomfortable situations can lead to relationship violence. Trust your instincts.

We will work with you to find the necessary support resources in an instance of sexual misconduct. University officials can refer you to community organizations to assist you with getting additional support.

See the 2017-2018 Student Guidebook here for a full explanation of our Sexual Misconduct and Relationship Violence policy, beginning on page 40.

The following definitions provide a quick snapshot of relevant terms. Please see the Sexual Misconduct and Relationship Violence policy here for complete definitions.

• Bystander is a person present at an event or incident who is not directly involved.
  
  
• Consent is informed, freely given and requires clear communication between all parties involved in the sexual activity. Silence, in and of itself, cannot be interpreted as consent. 

• Incapacitation is a state where one cannot make a rational, reasonable decision because s/he lacks the ability to give consent or understand the "who, what, when, where, why or how" of the sexual interaction, including anyone whose incapacity results from mental disability, sleep deprivation, involuntary physical restraint or from a controlled substance.
  
  
• Relationship violence is any physical, sexual or psychological harm against an individual in a relationship by current or former partners of the individual which includes, but is not limited to, stalking, dating violence, sexual violence and domestic violence. It does not require sexual intimacy between the individual and partner.
  
  
• Sexual assault is a form of sexual misconduct that includes forcible rape and nonphysical forms of pressure that compel individuals to engage in sexual activity against their will. Examples include: 
  
  
  • Sexual intercourse (vaginal or anal)
  • Oral sex
  • Rape or attempted rape
  • Penetration of an orifice (anal, vaginal, oral) with a penis, finger or other object
  • Unwanted touching of a sexual nature
  • Use of coercion, manipulation or force to make someone else engage in sexual touching, including but not limited to, breast, chest and buttocks
    
    
• Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination that encompasses unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment occurs when conduct has the purpose or effect of creating a hostile work or learning environment. Some forms of sexual harassment include intentional patting, pinching, touching and other sexually suggestive behavior.
  
  Sexual harassment occurs when: 

1. The conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual's work performance or educational experience, creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive employment, educational or living environment.
   
   
2. The conduct has the purpose or effect of abusing the dignity of an employee or student through insulting or degrading sexual remarks or conduct.
   
   
3. Submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual's employment or of a student's status in a course, program or activity.
   
   
4. Submission to or rejection of such conduct is the basis for academic or employment decisions affecting an individual.
   
   
5. Such conduct directed against an individual persists despite request for its cessation and/or when a claim or sexual harassment has resulted in retaliation against employees/students for complaining about such behavior.

• Sexual misconduct encompasses any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that is committed without consent or by force, intimidation, coercion or manipulation. Sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship violence and stalking are all forms of sexual misconduct.

• Stalking involves willfully and repeatedly engaging in a knowing course of harassing conduct directed at another individual that reasonably and seriously alarms, torments or terrorizes the individual. Stalking can take place in-person or through use of technology (cyber-stalking).

We are here to support you. We will conduct a prompt, fair and impartial investigation of all sexual misconduct reports. Our support services include: 

• Providing you with information about campus and community services.
• Making counseling referrals including confidential support.
• Responding in a timely and effective manner to all reported incidents.
• Providing academic accommodations.
• Offering interim support and remedies to the victim and the community. 
• Protecting you on campus.
• Encouraging you to receive appropriate help.
• Assisting you in filing a report.

NLU has partnered with Skylight Counseling to offer a variety of counseling resources. The University can provide counseling referrals and resources to anyone affected by an incident of sexual misconduct or relationship violence. Students seeking counseling referrals for licensed mental health professional should contact the Office of Student Experience at 888.658.8632 x3568 or email counseling@nl.edu.

In addition, NLU has identified Caroline Tebbens from Skylight Counseling as a designated confidential advisor. If you desire to speak with someone about an incident and want to ensure that it will remain confidential, Caroline can be reached via email at: caroline@skylightcounselingcenter.com or via phone at 847.529.8300 x113. 

Additional Resources

NLU has formed formal partnerships with local sexual assault and domestic violence agencies to offer a variety of support services, including completely confidential reporting if an NLU community member desires. 

NLU has partnered with Skylight Counseling to be able to offer a confidential advisor that students may seek out in order to discuss incidents that they wish to remain confidential.  Caroline Tebbens can be reached via email at caroline@skylightcounselingcenter.com or via phone at 847.529.8300 x113.  Caroline is available to serve as a long-term resource to assist students through administrative and criminal proceedings as well as to be a confidential resource.  This service is free to students and Caroline has received over 40 hours of Sexual Violence Advocacy training. 

NLU will take the steps that it can to protect your privacy and empower you to pursue your chosen course of action. Whether or not you choose to file a complaint, NLU may be legally required to investigate an incident and to take steps to ensure your safety and the safety of the University community. Keep in mind that: 

• In cases involving a pattern, predatory behavior, threats, weapons, or violence, the University will likely be unable to honor a request for complete confidentiality.
• If you request confidentiality and the circumstances allow us to honor your request, we will do so.
• If you choose to make a formal report, a small group of University officials will be made aware of the situation, including but not limited to: Title IX Coordinator, Student Conduct Officer, Behavior Intervention Team (BIT) and security personnel. We keep this circle as small as possible in order to protect your rights and privacy.

Options Following an Incident of Sexual Misconduct

• We will work with community partners to support you following instances of sexual misconduct and relationship violence. For more information on ways to receive immediate assistance, contact the Office of Student Experience at 888.658.8632 x3568
• We can provide counseling referrals to anyone affected by an incident of sexual misconduct or relationship violence. For counseling referrals to licensed mental health professionals, contact the Office of Student Experience at 888.658.8632 x3568 or email counseling@nl.edu.
• We will take measures following a reported incident to protect your rights and personal safety, as well as the safety of the community.

If you or someone you know experiences sexual misconduct or violence, we encourage you to report the incident through one or more of the following options. You can: 

• File a University Incident Report at www.nl.edu/letusknow. This report is easy to complete and it will automatically route to the Title IX Coordinator and appropriate University officials. 

• Make a direct report to Danielle Laban, NLU's Title IX Coordinator, by email at dlaban@nl.edu or by phone at 312.261.3162.

• Disclose the incident to one of NLU's Responsible Employees. Most University officials are considered Responsible Employees and are required by law to report all details of an incident of sexual misconduct or relationship violence to the Title IX Coordinator.

• Disclose the incident to a Partially Confidential Source who will be required to report that an incident occurred, but will not have to share details of your identity with the Title IX Coordinator. Partially Confidential Sources at NLU are:

                  Tara Bryant-Edwards - 312.261.3416 - TBEdwards@nl.edu -  Chicago 

                  Laurie Siegel - 312.261.3578 - laurie.siegel@nl.edu - Chicago                 

                  Claudia Pitts - 847.905.8041 - CPitts@nl.edu - Elgin/Lisle

                  Susan Thorne-Devin - 630.874.4560 - STDevin@nl.edu - Lisle                  

                  Natasha Schnell - 847.947.5331 - Natasha.Schnell@nl.edu - Wheeling/North Shore 

• Speak to a local crisis center if you would like to keep the incident completely confidential. A list of confidential support centers is available on the Support and Resources tab.

• File criminal charges with local law enforcement. NLU can assist you in making a report. 

• Obtain an Order of Protection or No Contact Order. NLU can assist you in securing an order. 

Whether or not a victim chooses to make an official report to the University or law enforcement, we encourage you to seek help and are here to connect you with the appropriate services including medical attention, information on campus and community resources, support and counseling. 

We take all reports of sexual misconduct seriously, treating incidents with sensitivity while providing support to those involved. As a member of NLU's community, you are expected to report any instances of sexual misconduct that you have experienced or witnessed, knowing that we will provide a timely and fair resolution to the issue. Our procedures are designed to protect the rights, needs, and privacy of the community member making the report (Complainant), as well as the rights of anyone alleged to have committed sexual misconduct (Respondent).

NLU will provide training on sexual misconduct prevention, reporting and response for all employees and students. Training will be offered at New Student Orientation, as well as throughout the year for the NLU community. Continuous education on sexual misconduct issues will be offered through various platforms, both virtually and on NLU campuses. 

Bystander Tips

A bystander is someone who is present at an event or incident but is not directly involved. It is possible to unintentionally support sexual violence by not intervening when you see something happening, dismissing certain behaviors, or not reporting concerning actions.

You can be a proactive (prevention) or reactive (intervention) bystander by:

• Working to create an environment where sexual violence is unacceptable.
• Treating others with respect.
• Speaking up when you hear others blaming victims.
• Encouraging friends to trust their instincts in order to stay safe.
• Being a resource for survivors.
• Looking out for friends at parties or bars.
• Educating yourself and friends.
• Creating a distraction so the victim can get away.
• Getting help.
• Asking someone in a potentially dangerous situation if he/she is okay and/or wants to leave.
• Intervening if you hear someone "targeting" another person.
• Separating someone too intoxicated to consent from a dangerous situation or potential perpetrator.
• Saying or doing something.