Statement Regarding Sexual Violence

Gateway Community College is committed to creating a community that is safe and supportive of people of all genders, gender orientations and sexual identities. This statement pertains to the entire college community—students, faculty, and staff. Two of the college’s primary concerns are the health and well-being of each individual and fostering healthy interpersonal relationships. The principles of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Policy on Student Conduct—integrity, equity, respect, and responsibility—address elements necessary for healthy interpersonal relationships and these principles are especially important when relationships become intimate. Sexual intimacy is permissible only if it is agreed to by all participants and all activity is affirmatively consensual at all times. Sexual misconduct—including sexual harassment, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence—against anyone is unacceptable and is both a crime under Connecticut State law and a violation of college policies, including but not limited to: Policy on Student Conduct, Violence Prevention and Response Statement, and Statement Against Harassment. The college is committed to providing an environment free of personal offenses.

Reporting Is Encouraged

Gateway Community College strongly encourages the reporting of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault and intimate partner violence, as an effective means of taking action by reporting such acts to the appropriate officials and pursuing criminal or disciplinary remedy or both. The only way that action can be taken against anyone who violates another in such a manner is through reporting. The college can provide those who report sexual misconduct with many supportive options, including referral to agencies that provide medical attention, counseling, legal services, advocacy, referrals, and general information regarding sexual assault. The college will preserve the confidentiality of those who report sexual misconduct to the fullest extent possible and allowed by law. College employees, victim advocates or community victim advocates being consulted will make any limits of confidentiality clear before any disclosure of facts takes place.

Agency Contact Information

It is the practice of Gateway Community College that whenever the college’s Title IX Coordinator or other employee receives a report that a student, faculty or staff member has been subjected to sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault or intimate partner violence, the College’s Title IX Coordinator or other employee shall immediately provide the student, faculty or staff member with contact information for professional assistance in accessing and using college, local advocacy, counseling, health and mental health services.

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Policy

Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence Policy