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For more information on what to do if you have experienced sexual assault, harassment, or discrimation, please refer to this flow chart.

What's consent? When is someone unable to consent?

Want to know more about F&M's Sexual Misconduct Policy? Ask a question by using our comment box or scroll down to see a list of popular questions and their answers.
 
If you use the comment section to ask a question, remember that your privacy is our priority. Ask any question you'd like; you'll remain anonymous  no matter what.
 

Remember: the misconduct policy is meant to protect ALL students, regardless of gender, sexuality, or any other factors.

Consent is freely given. Pressuring someone to give consent is coercion.

Consent is specific. Consenting to one sexual activity does not imply consent to another sexual activity or to any future sexual activity.

Each sexual act requires consent.

Silence, or not saying "no," is not consent.

 

A person must be physically and mentally able to give consent. They CANNOT consent if:

  • They are under 18 years of age

  • They are under the influence of drugs or alcohol

  • They are incapacitated due to mental disability, sleep, or involuntary physical restraint

What is harassment? What should I do if I'm being harassed?

Harassment includes gender-based verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct that creates a hostile environment; sexually offensive language; and stalking.

 

You can report incidents of harassment to Jan Masland at jmasland@fandm.edu or through the college website. You can then choose whether or not to pursue adjudication through the college. You can also choose to have a mediation with a student who has sexually harassed you if you are comfortable doing so.

 

Mediation is NOT an option if rape or assault has taken place.

What is a mandated reporter? Who are they and what do they do?

All employees of the college are   mandated reporters. Any student with a campus job is a mandated reporter during work hours. House Advisors are 24/7 mandated reporters.

 

Mandated reporters notify Jan Masland, the Title IX Coordinator, if they become aware of any sexual misconduct or discrimination

This report is private. Only Jan, the reporter, and the students involved will know about it.

 

After getting a report, Jan Masland will follow up with the students involved. If a report is filed about something that has happened to you and you don't want to pursue any disciplinary action, you are under no obligation to continue the process.

 

If the allegations are deemed to be an ongoing threat to the safety of other students, a college investigation may take place, even if the complainant denies adjudication.

Yes! If you would like to make a formal report to the college, you can visit Jan Masland, contact her at jmasland@fandm.edu, or submit a report through the school website.

 

You can also choose to report to Public Safety or to a college employee, such as your HA, who can help you submit a report. If you report a rape or assault to Public Safety, they will call Lancaster County Police, although you are under no obligation to speak to a LCPD officer.

 

You have two years from the date of the incident to formally report to Jan Masland or Public Safety.

 

You are never under any obligation to report, but there is no shame in reporting harassment or assault. You are entitled to your safety!

Can I file a report if something has happened to me? How do I do that?

Yes! Both of these processes can occur simultaneously and F&M will comply with any formal police investigation.

 

F&M may need to put their investigation on hold so as to not interfere with the police investigation, but they will resume the standard process once the police have gathered the information they need.

If I file a report with the local police, can I still file a report with the school?

The following sources are completely confidential:

 

  • Counseling Services: 717-291-4083

  • Appel Health Services: 717-291-4082

  • The Sexual Assault Response Line: 717-560-7311

  • Susan Minasian (College Chaplain): 717-358-5814

 

You can also go to the YWCA of Lancaster (110 N. Lime St., Lancaster, PA) for free and confidential counseling services.

If I don't want to file a formal report with the college, what confidential resources can I use?

You do not need to file a formal report to get a no-contact order. You can go to Jan Masland to request a no-contact order. You can also request a no-contact order post-hearing, even if the panel decides there isn't enough evidence or the incident more than likely did not occur.

I feel unsafe and I want a no-contact order. When can I get one and under what circumstances?

What other resources do I have to stay safe?

You have access to the following safety measures:

  • A change in living situation

    -The respondent may be relocated

       -You have access to temporary

       accommodation in a safe room

       -You can choose to take a leave of

       absence if you feel physically unsafe on

       campus

  • Changing class schedules to ensure that you do not have to attend the same classes as your attacker

  • An escort to and from classes

  • Counseling and health services: if you go to the hospital, the SAFE exam will be paid for.

  • Re-taking or withdrawing from a class without penalty

  • Reviewing any disciplinary action taken against you for actions that may be a result of the assault.

If a student decides to start the adjusication process and later decides they are uncomfortable with it and want to stop, can they?

According to Pennsylvania law, students currently enrolled in college are not minors. According to federal law, persons under the age of 18 are minors and Child Protective Services law requires the college and all mandated reporters to consider students under 18 as minors.  This creates a bit of a gray area, but Jan Masland's priority is to work with the student involved, assess the situation, and then make a decision with the student. 


 

What is a SAFE exam?

What are the possible outcomes of a hearing?

If a student is not yet 18 and a report is filed, are their parents notified?

Absolutely and this has happened. You are never under any obligation to continue the adjudication process if it makes you uncomfortable. The respondent may also choose to take responsibility and accept a sanction, if the complainant agrees, at any time up until the hearing.

The Panel has three options for findings:

  • Responsible

  • Not responsible

  • Insufficient evidence for a finding of responsibility

The last finding was added to give the Panel the option of sending the message that they believe the complainant but cannot make a finding of responsibility because there is just not enough evidence. This is the situation in which a no-contact order is most likely to be issued post hearing.  

A SAFE exam is a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam that is conducted after a rape or assault to gather evidence. According to the Violence Against Women Act, they must be provided free of charge at the hospital, or that hospital is no longer eligible for federal funding. If you report your assault to Public Safety and/or Lancaster County Police, a trained nurse can be called to perform the SAFE exam and a victim's advocate can be called to help you through the process.

 

More information about SAFE exams can be given to you by the Sexual Assault Response Team, which is active 24 hours a day and can be reached at 717-560-7311.

 

A SAFE exam can be conducted within 72 hours of an assault. If you have been assaulted and you would like a SAFE exam, make sure you do not shower, change clothes, or use the restroom before going to the hospital for the exam, as those activities can destory evidence.

 

You should never be charged for a SAFE exam.

Thanks for submitting a question! We'll get back to you as soon as we can.

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