What To Do About Sexual Violence
Sexual violence refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where an individual is incapable of giving consent due to an intellectual disability or use of drugs and/or alcohol. Sexual violence can occur between friends, classmates, spouses, romantic interests, acquaintances, or strangers. Examples of sexual violence include rape, sexual assault, and sexual coercion. Dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking are also serious offenses.
Emergency Information
For Emergency Dial 911
| Location | Phone Number |
| South Plains College Police Department (Student Center Mall) | 806-891-8883 |
| Levelland Police Department | 806-894-6164 |
| Lubbock Police Department | 806-775-2800 |
| Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office | 806-775-1601 |
| Plainview Police Department | 806-296-1182 |
Responding to Sexual Violence
Sexual violence is a crime. SPC does not support any type of sexual violence. A survivor of sexual violence will have a wide range of emotions following an incident. It is important to utilize available resources to assist in recovery.
What should I do if I have been sexually assaulted?
Get to a safe place immediately. If emergency medical attention is needed, call 911.
Get medical attention as soon as possible. If you have been a victim of a criminal sexual assault call Voice of Hope crisis line at 806-763-RAPE. Voice of Hope will ensure that a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (a specially trained nurse) will meet you at the hospital and arrange a victim advocate to accompany you. If you go to the hospital, the local police will be called, but you are not obligated to talk to the police or pursue prosecution. Having the evidence collected in this manner will help keep all options available, but will not obligate them to any course of action.
Collecting evidence can assist the authorities in pursuing criminal charges, should you decide later to exercise it.
If at all possible, do not bathe, wash your hands, use the toilet, or change clothing prior to going to the emergency room. This will help preserve physical evidence of the assault. The hospital staff will collect evidence, check for injuries, address pregnancy concerns, and address the possibility of exposure to sexually transmitted infections. If you have changed clothing since the assault, bring the clothing you had on at the time with you to the hospital in a clean, sanitary container such as a clean paper grocery bag or wrapped in a clean sheet (plastic containers do not breathe, and may render evidence useless). If you have not changed clothes, bring a change of clothes with you to the hospital, if possible. You can take a support person with you to accompany you through the exam. Do not disturb the crime scene—leave all sheets, towels, etc. that may bear evidence for the police to collect. Keep emails, text messages, social media postings, any digital information about the incident, or other methods of contact from the attacker.
Seek free, confidential counseling. You can access counseling through Voice of Hope at 806-763-RAPE. You can also contact the SPC Health & Wellness Center at 806-716-2529. Help is available for the person assaulted and for the SPC students helping the survivor of sexual assault.
Reporting Options
Filing a Complaint with South Plains College
All SPC employees, with some limited exceptions, are required to inform the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator of discrimination, harassment, or sexual assault when they become aware of actual or suspected events. Individuals who feel they have been the victim of discrimination, harassment or sexual assault are encouraged to file a report by calling 806-716-2360, emailing complaints@southplainscollege.edu, or speaking directly to one of the Title IX Coordinators.
Victims may request protective measures and changes to their academic, work, living and transportation situations when filing a report.
If a victim wishes to remain anonymous, does not wish for an investigation to take place, or does not want a formal resolution to be pursued, they may make such a request to the Title IX Coordinator, who will evaluate that request in light of the duty to ensure the safety of the campus and comply with federal law.
In cases indicating pattern, predation, threat, weapons, and/or violence, SPC will likely be unable to honor a request for confidentiality. In cases where the victim requests confidentiality and the circumstances allow SPC to honor that request, interim supports, and remedies will be offered to the victim and community, but SPC will not otherwise pursue formal action.
A reporting party has the right, and can expect, to have reports taken seriously by SPC when formally reported, and to have those incidents investigated and properly resolved through these procedures.
Confidential Reporting
If a reporting party would like the details of an incident to be kept confidential, the reporting party may speak with one of the following individuals located in the Health and Wellness Center:
- On-campus licensed mental health professionals
- Campus health service providers
- Campus victim advocates
To speak with a confidential reporter call 806-716-2529. An appointment can be made for the Levelland Campus, Reese Center, Lubbock Downtown Center, Lubbock Career and Technical Center, or Plainview Center.
All of the above employees will maintain confidentiality except in extreme cases of immediacy of threat or danger or abuse of a minor. Campus counselors are available to help free of charge and can be seen during normal business hours. These employees will submit quarterly anonymous statistical information for Clery Act purposes, unless they believe it would be harmful to their client or patient.
Filing a Criminal Complaint
Victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking can file a criminal complaint by contacting the South Plains College Police Department 806-891-8883 or in-person in their office in the Student Center Mall Area. Victims may also call the Levelland Police Department at 806-894-6164, the Lubbock Police Department 806-775-2800, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office 806-775-1601, or the Plainview Police Department 806-296-1182, depending on the victim’s location.
Protective Orders
Victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking may wish to prevent their attackers from contacting them. There are three different types of Orders of Protection in Texas: Civil Protective Orders, Magistrate’s Order for Emergency Protection, and College Based No Contact Orders. SPC will assist in the enforcement of any type of Order of Protection if the order is known. Violations for Magistrate’s Order for Emergency Protection and Civil Protective Orders may result in criminal charges, while violations of College-Based No Contact Orders may result in disciplinary action by the College.
Civil Protective Orders
A protective order is a civil court order issued to prevent continuing acts of family violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking. You can apply for a protective order through the district attorney, a private attorney, or through a legal aid service program. Further information can be found at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/files/cvs/protectivekit_dv.pdf.
Magistrate's Order for Emergency Protection
This order may be issued at the time of a defendant’s appearance before a magistrate after arrest for an offense involving family violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking. The order for emergency protection may be issued on the magistrate’s own motion or on the request of the victim; guardian of a victim, a peace officer, or the attorney representing the State.
College-Based No Contact Order
SPC may choose to impose a College-Based No Contact Order when appropriate. To request this, please contact the Title IX Coordinator at 806-716-2360 or by email at complaints@southplainscollege.edu.
What if the survivor does not want to file a complaint?
A survivor of sexual assault is always encouraged to consult with trained mental health professionals regardless of whether the person elects to file a report with the police or other campus officials. Mental health professionals typically can maintain confidentiality and will discuss limits to confidentiality so the individual can make an informed decision when talking about the abuse.
What if I was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the sexual assault?
Use of alcohol or drugs impacts an individual’s ability to consent to a sexual act and does not put the person at blame. A student who is assaulted while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is encouraged to seek help and entitled to college and community assistance. The seriousness of sexual misconduct is a major concern and SPC does not want any of the circumstances (e.g., drug or alcohol use) to inhibit the reporting of sexual misconduct. Whenever possible SPC will respond educationally rather than punitively to the illegal use of drugs and/or alcohol.
What is the process for investigation of a complaint of sexual assault by campus authorities?
If you file a report with the Vice President for Student Affairs/Title IX Coordinator, you will be contacted by an office representative to schedule a meeting to collect facts related to the incident. The purpose of the initial meeting will also be to assure that you have access to all necessary resources and that there will be no impact on your opportunity to participate in your educational program. You should be prepared to address any changes to your college living arrangements or academic program that may be appropriate based on the circumstances. Once you have filed a complaint, you will be updated regularly regarding the status and outcomes of the investigation and any subsequent proceedings as the individual who is the subject of the complaint. For more information see: https://www.southplainscollege.edu/about/campussafety/sah.php
What should I do if I witnessed a crime of sexual assault?
If you are a witness to a crime of sexual violence you should report the incident to campus or local police. You may also speak with the Vice President for Student Affairs who can assist you with further reporting as appropriate.
How to Help
Say something. Lend a listening ear. Show that you care and are willing to listen. Do not force the issue but allow the individual to confide in you at their own pace. Never blame the person for what is happening or underestimate the fear of potential danger. Focus on supporting the individual’s right to make their own decisions.
Guide survivors to campus and community resources. Let them know they are not alone and people are available to help. Encourage them to seek sexual violence advocates and assure them that information will be kept confidential in most cases.
Do not judge survivors. Tell the person you are sorry they have been hurt. No matter their behavior prior to the assault, they are not responsible—the perpetrator is. No one deserves to be assaulted.
Remind survivors that their feelings are normal. They may feel “crazy.” Assure survivors they are not “crazy” and any feeing or reaction is normal.
Focus on their strengths. The individual has probably continually been told by the abusive person that they are a bad person, a bad student, or a bad friend. They may believe they cannot do anything right and that there really is something wrong with them. Give emotional support and help in recognizing strengths and skills. Emphasize that they deserve life that is free from violence.
Find your own support. You cannot support someone else if you are not supported. However, do not try to receive that support from the survivor.
Resources
Health & Wellness Resources
VAWA https://www.hud.gov/vawa#close 800-656-HOPE (4673)
Voice of Hopehttps://voiceofhopetexas.org/ 806-763-7273
South Plains College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Vice President for Student Affairs
South Plains College
1401 College Avenue, Box 5
Levelland, TX 79336
806.716.2360
For further information or to file a civil rights complaint, visit https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ocr or call 800-421-3481.
