Title IX protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. 20 U.S.C. § 1681. Title IX applies to LSSC programs and activities, as related both to education and employment. LSSC is committed to providing an environment free from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
If you wish to file a complaint because you feel you have been sexually harassed, the target of sexual violence, or discriminated against because of your gender, please contact a member of the Title IX Coordinator.
College Reporting
The College encourages all individuals to report prohibited conduct to the College and, if appropriate, to local law enforcement. Both College and criminal reports may be pursued simultaneously.
Although a report may come in through many sources, the College is committed to ensuring that all reports are referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who will ensure consistent application of the procedure to all individuals and allow the College to respond promptly and equitably to eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and eliminate its effects.
The College provides reporting options through multiple contact points across campuses that are broadly accessible to all College community members. The College’s Title IX Coordinator oversees the investigation and resolution of all Prohibited Conduct covered by the Procedure on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Misconduct (the “Procedure”).
To report an incident involving Prohibited Conduct or discuss any aspect of the procedure, individuals are encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator or any of the designated College officials who together comprise the Title IX Team.
Mandatory Reporting
According to Title IX, a “responsible employee” is an employee:
- Who has the authority to take action to redress sexual harassment/violence, or
- Who has been given the duty of reporting incidents of sexual harassment/violence or any other misconduct by students to the Title IX Coordinator or other appropriate school designee, or
- That a student/employee could reasonably believe has either the authority or the duty listed above.
Responsible employees must report information about sexual and relationship violence to the College’s Title IX Coordinator, even if you don’t want them to share the information. The college will initiate a Title IX investigation and will reach out to offer you assistance. Depending on the situation, the College may also contact law enforcement.
Please note: Florida law requires any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child (under 18 years of age) is abused, abandoned, or neglected, immediately to report such knowledge or suspicion to the Florida Department of Children and Family Services (DCF). In addition, Florida law prohibits any person from knowingly and willfully preventing another person from meeting his or her reporting obligation to DCF. Any person may contact local law enforcement authorities to make a report of suspected child abuse at any time; however, this does not negate the statutory obligation to first report to DCF.
Anonymous Reporting
You can make an anonymous report using the Student or Anonymous Reporting Form. The College may initiate a Title IX investigation, but it will be limited to the available information.
Confidential Reporting
You can ask an External Confidential reporter not to share any information that could be linked to you without your permission.
Confidential reporters are available to students and employees as part of the Student Assistance Program and Employee Assistance Program respectively. There will not be a Title IX investigation. Additional confidential reporting options may be available through community victim services resources.
Law Enforcement Reporting
You can file a report with law enforcement whether or not you report to the College. LSSC encourages individuals to report incidents of sexual misconduct to local law enforcement. Timely reporting to the police is an important factor in successful investigation and prosecution of crimes, including sexual violence crimes, and may lead to the arrest of an offender or aid in the investigation of other incidents.
Reporting the incident to the police does not mean an individual is obligated to testify in court. Campus Safety may or may not be notified by the police. Campus Safety can also help you make a report to the police.
Law enforcement’s response can vary from only taking a report to referring the case to the District Attorney for possible criminal charges. Police can also assist in reviewing options with survivors and identifying and facilitating support resources related to:
- Seeking medical attention
- Seeking support, advocacy and counseling services
- Discussing legal options, including seeking protective orders from a court