Sexual Assault Prevention and Response

Trinidad State Junior College, in compliance with Section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act educates the student community about sexual assaults and date rape through mandatory orientations each fall. In addition, students in the resident halls are reminded of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Policy. The Trinidad Police Department offers sexual assault education and information programs to TSJC students and employees upon request. Literature on date rape education, risk reduction, and TSJC response is available through the Office of Housing and Residential Education and the Student Services Office.

If you are a victim of a sexual assault at this institution, your first priority should be to get to a place of safety. You should then obtain necessary medical treatment. Trinidad State Junior College personnel and security strongly advocates that a victim of sexual assault report the incident in a timely manner. Time is a critical factor for evidence collection and preservation. An assault should be reported directly to the Vice President of Student/Academic Affairs in the Berg Building, Room 201 and/or to a Residential Hall Director, Resident Advisor or representative. Filing a police report will not obligate the victim to prosecute, nor will it subject the victim to scrutiny or judgmental opinions from officers. Filing a police report will:

Ensure that a victim of sexual assault receives the necessary medical treatment and tests, at no expense to the victim.

Provide the opportunity for collection of evidence helpful in prosecution, which cannot be obtained later, especially if the victim washes the evidence away.

Assure the victim has access to free confidential counseling from TSJC’s counselor, Lisa Ward, located in the Davis Building, Room 143, 719-846-5777.

When a sexual assault victim contacts the Trinidad Police Department, a representative from the College will be notified as well. The victim of a sexual assault may choose for the investigation to be pursued through the criminal justice system and the College’s Chief Student Services Officer, or only the latter. A College representative and the Trinidad Police Department will guide the victim through the available options and support the victim in his/her decision. Various counseling options are available on campus, as well as off, such as: Spanish Mental Health Center, Advocates Against Domestic Assault or other agencies as may be obtained from the Trinidad Police Department or Sheriff’s Office.

College disciplinary proceedings, as well as special guidelines for cases involving sexual misconduct, are detailed in the Student Handbook. A student found guilty of violating the College’s Code of Conduct could be criminally prosecuted in the state courts and may be suspended or expelled from Trinidad State Junior College for the first offense. Student victims have the option to change their academic and/or on-campus living situations after an alleged sexual assault, if such changes are reasonably available.