Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Resources for Faculty

What is Trauma?

“Trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being” (Source: SAMHSA)

What is a Trauma Informed Approach?

“Trauma-informed approach incorporates three key elements: (1) realizing the prevalence of trauma; (2) recognizing how trauma affects all individuals involved with the program, organization, or system, including its own workforce; and (3) responding by putting this knowledge into practice”. (Source: SAMHSA)

Signs of Trauma in Students

The signs and symptoms of a person who has experience trauma range widely from crying, to numbness, to denial, and everything in between. Below are possible responses to trauma.

• Emotional: Feelings of anger, fear, sadness, and shame. Feeling overwhelmed or feeling numb.
• Physical: Sleep disturbances; gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and dermatological disorders; urological problems; and substance use disorders.
• Cognitive: Overreactions to situations; excessive guilt; idealizations; delusions; hallucinations; intrusive thoughts/memories; triggers/flashbacks; disassociation.
• Behavioral: Self-medicating, compulsive behaviors (such as overeating); impulsive behaviors; risk taking; self-injury.

(Source: SAMHSA) 

How to respond to Trauma

Responses:

• Thank the student for sharing this information with you.
• Let them know (as early in the conversation as you can) about your obligations to report. For example: “Thank you so much for meeting with me and for opening up to me, but before you continue with your story, I want to let you know that if you disclose anything to me regarding harm to yourself or others I will need to share that information with others at the college so that we can connect you  with the best resources possible. I can also let you know about confidential resources on and off campus if you prefer. I just want to make sure you understand the processes of sharing this information with me. Do you have any questions?”
• Be empathetic. Listen. Ask what they need. Ask what you can do to help.
• Do not ask “why” questions, or feel the need to question the student in pursuit of finding out “why” this happened.
• Do not state what you would do or what you feel they should do.
• Ask if you can make a suggestion(s) about resources/referrals that might be of interest to the student.

Helpful phrases when responding to trauma:

• You seem upset. Would you like to talk about it?
• It sounds like you’re going through a difficult time. How can I help?
• I’m sorry to hear about_________. How are you doing?
• What do you think you need to get through this?
• Here are some on campus supports that might be helpful…

Resources to refer students to:

• The Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct website contains a Resource Guide for Complainants, which offers a variety of services both on and off campus. Printing a copy of it and having it ready in your office may be helpful to either refer to when meeting with the student or to give the student as a resource.
• Some on campus services that may be helpful for students include Community Standards (x1323), Counseling Services (x1331), Health Services (x1307), Academic Services (x1306), or Residence Life (x1290).
• An off-campus service also included in the online guide include is A New Day, a local rape crisis center, 508-588-8255, a confidential resource.

Who to call:

• If you have general questions about sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, or stalking, call the Office of Community Standards at 508-565-1323 for more information.
• If you suspect a student has been a victim of one of the above offenses, call the Title IX Coordinator (x1910) or the Title IX Deputy (x1323).
• A report can also be made to Campus Police at 508-565-5555 or online at https://www.stonehill.edu/offices-and-services/health-wellness/sexual-assault-and-title-ix-resources/sexual-assault-incident-report-form/.

  Employee Reporting Responsibilities:

  Every person identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) under the Clery Act must immediately report to the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator any violations of the Policy reported to them or observed by them, including the name of the Complainant and Respondent, if known, and all known details. 

  Faculty, staff, and volunteers on campus may report to the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator any violations of the College’s sexual and gender-based misconduct and interpersonal violence policy reported to them or observed by them, including the name of the Complainant and Respondent, if known, and all known details.

  Confidential Employees (professional counselors in Counseling Services, licensed medical professionals in Health Services, NATABOC-certified athletic trainers, ordained clergy in Campus Ministry, and designated Confidential Resource Providers), are exempt from reporting violations of the Policy.

  In accordance with Massachusetts law, the College requires everyone in the campus community, including Confidential Employees, to report the suspected abuse of children (those under the age of 18). 

  Disclosures made at public awareness events such as Take Back the Night, the Clothesline Project, candlelight vigils, protests, “Survivor Speak Outs,” or other forums (for example a HOPE retreat) are not, under applicable laws, considered a report or notice to the College for purposes of triggering the College’s obligation to investigate any particular incident(s). Such events may, however, inform the need for campus-wide education and prevention efforts, and the College will provide information about Title IX and Clery rights at these events. Similarly, information disclosed during a student’s participation as a subject in an Institutional Review Board-approved human subjects research protocol (“IRB Research”) is not considered a report of a violation of this Policy or notice to the College of a violation of the Policy for purposes of triggering the College’s obligation to investigate any particular incident(s). Institutional Review Boards may, in appropriate cases, require researchers to provide such information to all Student subjects of IRB Research.

Trainings Offered for Faculty and Staff:

• Q.P.R. Suicide Prevention Training: This 1 hour gatekeeper training will address signs of suicide as well as tips for prevention and intervention. 
• Bystander Intervention Training for Faculty: Learn about sexual violence prevention and how to handle disclosures with students.
• Alcohol and College Students: Learn how alcohol can impact academics and ways to support students success inside and outside of the classroom.
• Recognizing and Responding to Students in Distress: A training for faculty on how to identify and help a student of concern. Contact Counseling Services to learn more at 508-565-1331.
• JED Mental Health Training for Faculty: This training was created by the JED Foundation to help faculty identify ways to help students of concern in and out of the classroom. To learn more about this training contact Health and Wellness at 508-565-1544.

Resources:

• For more training information, contact titleix@stonehill.edu; or the Health and Wellness Center Roche Dining Commons, Room 101, 508-565-1544, wellness@stonehill.edu. 
• Staff Training Log: For staff who administer or attend a training on harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, dating abuse or other interpersonal violence, please log the training into this online form.