Complainant's Rights

Complainant's Rights

In order to eliminate a hostile environment, prevent the recurrence of a sexual harassment/violence incident and address its effects, you as a complainant and the accused are entitled to remedies that include, but are not limited to, the following…

• The assurance that you and the alleged perpetrator will not attend the same classes
• The availability of counseling services
• The availability of medical services
• Academic support services, such as tutoring
• Arranging for you to re-take a course or withdraw from a class without penalty, including ensuring that any changes don’t adversely affect your academic record
• The review of any disciplinary action taken against you (such as if you skipped a class because the alleged perpetrator was enrolled and you wanted to avoid contact) to see if there is a connection between the harassment and the misconduct that may have resulted in you being disciplined
• The knowledge that you can file a complaint with local law enforcement at any time and that you have the option to be assisted by campus personnel in notifying such authorities
• The accuser and accused both are entitled to have a hearing official be trained in how to conduct hearings in a matter that “protects the safety of victims” and “promotes accountability.”

Confidentiality

In some situations, including those in which disciplinary action is a possible outcome, due process may require disclosure of information to persons accused. SC Technical College System Colleges will make every reasonable effort to abide by Complainants’ wishes to remain anonymous; however, the college will balance requests for anonymity/confidentiality with the safety of other members of the community. Factors that will be considered in determining whether to disclose a complaint or report of misconduct to a respondent include: the seriousness of the alleged conduct; the Complainant’s age; whether there have been other complaints about the same individual; and the alleged violator’s rights to receive information about the allegations if the information is maintained by the school as an “education record” under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). All hearings closed to all persons except the required parties.

Amnesty for Drug and Alcohol Possession and Consumption Violations

Students are encouraged to report instances of sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, and/or sexual assault involving students. Therefore, students who report information about sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment and/or sexual assault involving students will not be disciplined by the college for any violation of the college’s drug or alcohol possession or consumption policies in which they might have engaged in connection with the report.