Title IX states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefit, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Title IX is an anti-discrimination law based on gender. Sexual harassment and sexual assault are considered discrimination and fall under Title IX protection on a university campus.
All students, faculty, and staff experiencing Sexual Misconduct are strongly encouraged to report it to the Interim Title IX Coordinator in person, by telephone, by mail or by email to:
Lesley Villarose, M.Ed Vice-President for Student Development and Dean of Students Interim Title IX Coordinator and ADA Coordinator Gardner-Webb University Tucker CenterPO Box 7271 Boiling Springs, NC 28017 P (704) 406-2081[email protected]
Because Sexual Misconduct may in some instances constitute both a violation of University policy and a crime, and because Gardner-Webb’s Complaint process is not a substitute for initiating legal action, Gardner-Webb encourages individuals experiencing Sexual Misconduct to also report it to law enforcement authorities.
Individuals experiencing Sexual Misconduct may also file an anonymous report by using the Incident Report here. Individuals who choose to file anonymous reports are advised that it may be difficult or impossible for the University to follow up or take action based on anonymous reports. Anonymous reports without personally identifiable information, however, may be used for purposes of compliance with Gardner-Webb’s obligations under the Clery Act.
Individuals experiencing Sexual Misconduct may choose not to report Sexual Misconduct to anyone. Gardner-Webb respects and supports the individual’s decision with regard to reporting; however, if information about Sexual Misconduct comes to the attention of the Title IX Coordinator the University may (1) start an investigation even in the absence of a Complaint; and (2) notify appropriate law enforcement authorities if required or warranted by the nature of the information of which it becomes aware. While no finding of a Title IX violation will occur without the filing of a Formal Complaint by the Complainant or Title IX Coordinator, Gardner-Webb may determine that the Sexual Misconduct Policy has been violated and impose appropriate sanctions based upon an investigation stemming from a Complaint or other information brought to the attention of the University
Any University employee who receives information indicating that another member of the campus community (faculty, staff, or student) has been the victim of Sexual Misconduct must report this information to the Interim Title IX Coordinator. The only exceptions to this reporting obligation are employees who have a confidential relationship with the alleged victim that is recognized by law, such as Counseling Center staff and campus ministers (clergy).
Additional information related to Title IX or sexual assault may be found on the following websites or by calling these telephone numbers.
SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) Please contact University Police at (704) 406-4444 who will contact a 24/7 counselor on call.
Campus Counseling Center On Call # (704) 406-4440 [email protected]
University Police Chief Ron Newcomb (704) 406-4440 | [email protected]
Mrs. Lesley Villarose, Vice President of Student Development and Dean of Students, Interim Title IX Coordinator and ADA Coordinator Tucker Student Center (704) 406-2081 | [email protected]
Cleveland County Abuse Prevention Council 24-hour crisis line (704) 481-0043
Boiling Springs, NC Police Department boilingspringsnc.net | (704) 434-9691
Shelby, NC Police Department cityofshelby.com/departments/police Non-emergency (704) 484-6845 | Emergency 9-1-1
Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office clevelandcounty.com/sheriffs_office (704) 484-4888
Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office-Victim’s Rights ncdistrictattorney.org/27B/victims_rights.htm (704) 476-7810
North Carolina Sexual Assault Response Team
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
RAINN-Rape and Incest National Network Rape and Incest National Network-is the nation’s largest anti- sexual violence organization and was named one of “America’s 100 Best Charities” by Worth magazine. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) in partnership with more than 1,100 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. rainn.org | 1 (800) 656-4673
SAVAN–Statewide Automated Victim Assistance and Notification Statewide Automated Victim Assistance and Notification. SAVAN is a free, anonymous, computer-based telephone program that provides victims of crime with two important services: information and notification. The SAVAN program is designed to provide you with a quick, easy access to offender information and to alert you when an offender’s custody status changes. ncsavan.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline 1 (800) 656-HOPE (4673)
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1 (800) 799-7233
Know Your IX
Gardner-Webb University is committed to creating and maintaining a non-discriminatory learning environment for all students, which includes students who are pregnant.
Gardner-Webb University is committed to supporting pregnant/expecting students, including the mother, and as appropriate, the father. Students can expect to be treated with Christian love, dignity, and respect. The life and health of the mother and child as well as the spiritual well-being of the parents are primary concerns. Every effort will be made to ensure confidentiality.
Should a Gardner Webb University student become pregnant, she is encouraged to seek confidential medical care, encouragement and guidance from The Student Health Clinic.
Additional Information and Resources can be Found At: Title IX Basics – The Pregnant Scholar
If you have questions or concerns about pregnancy accommodations or would like to request an accommodation related to pregnancy, please contact:
Lesley Villarose Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students Title IX Coordinator [email protected] | 704-406-2081
A student seeking accommodations, adjustments, or requesting excused absences related to pregnancy will need to provide official documentation from the student’s physician.
The student’s physician should provide dates on which the student’s attendance must be excused and a statement that the absences are deemed medically necessary.
GWU is a community that embraces and stands for safe, healthy relationships. GWU prohibits domestic violence and dating violence as defined in the Sexual Misconduct Policy. As a student, you have a right to expect that you will be treated with respect in your relationships within the GWU community. The GWU community wants to take every opportunity to educate our community regarding preventive measures regarding domestic and dating violence. If you or someone you know a student may be a victim of dating/domestic violence, you may report such misconduct or file a formal complaint with the Title IX Coordinator. If there is an emergency, please call 911 or University Police at 704-406-4444.
If you would like to report an incident of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, intimate partner violence (dating violence & domestic violence), stalking, non-consensual sexual contact, or sexual harassment please contact the Title IX Coordinator.
Campus Resources:
Campus Counseling Center On Call # (704) 406-4440 | [email protected]
University Police Chief Ron Newcomb (704) 406-4440 | [email protected] Mrs. Lesley Villarose, Vice President of Student Development and Dean of Students, Interim Title IX Coordinator and ADA Coordinator Tucker Student Center (704) 406-2081 | [email protected]
Identifying Abuse: Recognizing abuse is the first step.
Relationship abuse is all about power and control. While you may be unwilling or unable to leave your relationship right now, it’s important to remember that abusive partners are unlikely to change their behavior. Your first priority should always be your personal safety and your safety in the future.
Dating 101: Is my relationship healthy? Information and quiz.
Relationships exist on a spectrum and it can sometimes be hard to tell when behavior goes from healthy to unhealthy (or even abusive).
Safety Planning: Your safety is our first priority. You deserve a future without fear.
A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan to improve your safety while experiencing abuse, preparing to leave an abusive situation, or after you leave. This plan includes vital information tailored to your unique situation and will help you prepare for and respond to different scenarios, including telling your friends and family about your situation, coping with emotions, and various resources suited to your individual circumstance.
Ways to Support Those Affected: Helping the people in our lives.
Dating abuse is difficult for everyone involved, including people who attempt to offer support. Those who haven’t dealt with dating abuse before sometimes wonder why survivors don’t just leave their partner, not realizing that ending an abusive relationship is far more complicated than other break-ups (which can be challenging in their own right).
Love is Respect.com: Love is more than just the way you feel. 24/7 Text, Call, Chat.
Love is Respect is the national resource to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through education, support, and resources.
IS SOMEONE:
DO YOU FEEL:
ARE YOU FEARFUL OF REPORTING BECAUSE:
TRUST YOUR INTUITION, and GET HELP!
Download these Apps:
myPlan The myPlan app is designed to help women and their friends determine if a relationship is unsafe. It was created in conjunction with researchers at Johns Hopkins University using 20 years of research with female-identified survivors of relationship abuse. Everyone deserves to be safe in their intimate relationship, and every situation is unique. myPlan can help you identify, navigate, and provides resources for a range of relationship abuse concerns.
RAINN The RAINN app gives survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones access to support self-care tools, and information to help manage the short- and long-term effects of sexual violence.
Awareness Campaigns are held throughout the year to bring sexual violence prevention information and awareness to the campus community.
The Red Flag Campaign uses a bystander intervention strategy to address and prevent sexual assault, dating violence and stalking on college campuses.
