OEDI - Title IX

Call 9-1-1 if you are in the midst of any kind of emergency, immediate harm or threat of harm.

The University has designated a Title IX Coordinator to monitor and oversee overall compliance with laws and policies related to nondiscrimination based on sex. The campus Title IX Coordinator is available to explain and discuss: Your right to file a criminal complaint (in cases of Sexual Violence); the University's relevant complaint process, and your right to receive assistance with that process, including the investigation process; how confidentiality is handled; available resources, both on and off campus; and other related matters.

If you have experienced Sexual Misconduct you are encouraged to seek immediate assistance from police and healthcare providers for your physical safety, emotional support and medical care. The campus Title IX Coordinator is available to assist you in notifying University police, if you wish. University police can escort you to a safe place and transport you to a hospital or a sexual assault response center for a medical examination, if needed. University police can also provide access to a confidential sexual assault advocate. If you would prefer not to notify University or local police, you are strongly encouraged to seek assistance from the campus Title IX Coordinator who can provide you with information on your options, rights and remedies.

Campus Title IX Officer

Mariel S. Mulet
Director of Human Resources Equity and Diversity Policies and Procedures
California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive
Student Services Building, Room 6381
Los Angeles, CA 90032
Phone: (323) 343-3040
Fax: (323) 343-3662
[email protected]

Deputy Title IX Coordinators

Demetrus Caldwell
Deputy Title IX Coordinator in Athletics
California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive
Physical Education, Room 110
Los Angeles, CA 90032
Phone: (323) 343-5240
Fax: (323) 343-6535
[email protected]

Mina Poppius
Senior Investigator
California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive
Student Services Building, Room 6381
Los Angeles, CA 90032
Phone: (323) 343-3679
Fax: (323) 343-3662
[email protected]

University Police

Department of Public Safety
California State University, Los Angeles
North End of Lot 1
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032
Phone: (323) 343-3700

Local Police

The Los Angeles Police Department
Hollenbeck Community Police Station
2111 E. 1st Street
Los Angeles, California 90033
Phone: (323) 342-4100
TDD/TTY: (323) 224-0125

Campus Sexual Assault Victim's Advocate

Peace Over Violence
Student Health Center, First Floor
Phone: (323) 343-3314
Phone: (213) 955-9090 ext 1131
[email protected]

After-Hours Hotline
(213) 626-3393
(310) 392-8381
(626) 793-3385

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

(800) 421-3481
[email protected]

If you wish to fill out a complaint form online with the OCR, you may do so at on their website.

Medical and Counseling Services

Campus Services

Student Health Center
5151 State University Drive
Main Walkway, adjacent to the Career Development Center
Los Angeles, California 90032
(323) 343-3300

Monday - Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.

Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Medical Appointments
(323) 343-3302

Counseling and Psychological Services

Domestic and Sexual Violence

Campus Domestic and Sexual Violence Resources

Gender and Sexuality Resource Center
5154 State University Drive, Room 206, U-SU
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(323) 343-5001

Off-Campus Services

Sex Assault Center
VIP Urgent Care Center (24 hour-care)
LAC+USC Medical Center
2010 Zonal Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 226-3961

East Los Angeles Women's Center
1255 South Atlantic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90022
(800) 585-6231

Peace Over Violence
892 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Suite D
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 793-3385

Rape Treatment Center
1250 16th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(424) 259-6000

LifeMatters
1-800-367-7474

The University's primary concern is the safety of its campus community members. The use of alcohol or drugs never makes the victim at fault for Sexual Violence. Moreover, victims should not be deterred from reporting incidents of Sexual Violence out of a concern that they might be disciplined for related violations of drug, alcohol or other University policies. Except in extreme circumstances, victims of Sexual Violence shall not be subject to discipline for related violations of University policy.

Criminal

Reporting to University police and/or local police is an option at any time following a Sexual Violence incident. If you choose not to report to the police immediately, you can still make the report at a later time. However, with the passage of time, the ability to gather evidence to assist with criminal prosecution may be limited. Depending on the circumstances, the police may be able to obtain a criminal restraining order on your behalf.

Administrative

You may report to the campus Title IX Coordinator any incident of Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, or Sexual Violence (e.g., Rape, Acquaintance Rape, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence or Stalking). Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator is listed above. The Title IX Coordinator will provide you with written and verbal information regarding applicable University complaint procedures for investigating and addressing the incident.

The campus Title IX Coordinator will also discuss with you any reasonable interim remedies the University may offer prior to conclusion of an investigation or potential disciplinary action to reduce or eliminate negative impact on you and provide you with available assistance. Examples include: Adjustment to University work assignments, course schedules or supervisory reporting relationship; requiring the accused to move from University-owned or affiliated housing; immediately prohibiting the accused from coming to the University; or prohibiting the accused from contacting you. These options may be available to you whether or not you choose to report the Sexual Violence to campus police or law enforcement. The Title IX Coordinator remains available to assist you and provide you with reasonable remedies requested by you throughout the reporting, investigative, and disciplinary processes, and thereafter.

If it is determined that University policy prohibiting Sexual Violence was violated, the perpetrator will be subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal from University employment or expulsion from the University. You are entitled to be accompanied to any related meeting or proceeding by an advisor of your choice. However, if you do not wish to participate in an investigation or hearing process, you have the right to decline to do so.

Health/Counseling/Clergy

You may choose to seek advice and assistance from physicians, psychotherapists, professional counselors, clergy, sexual assault and domestic violence counselors and advocates, including individuals who work or volunteer for them.

Civil Lawsuit

You may choose to file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator, whether or not criminal charges have been filed. A civil lawsuit provides you the opportunity to recover actual damages, which may include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering and emotional distress.

You may also choose to obtain a protective or restraining order (such as a domestic violence restraining order or a civil harassment restraining order). Restraining orders must be obtained from a court in the jurisdiction where the incident occurred. Restraining orders can protect victims who have experienced or are reasonably in fear of Sexual Violence, including Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking. Your campus Title IX Coordinator can offer assistance with obtaining a protective or restraining order.

Non-Reporting

You are strongly encouraged to report any incident of Sexual Violence to the police and/or campus Title IX Coordinator so that steps may be taken to protect you and the rest of the campus community. However, non-reporting is also an option.

Federal and state laws require that the CSU adopt and publish complaint procedures that provide for prompt and equitable resolution of Sex Discrimination complaints, including Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence.

Procedures for Complaints of Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Retaliation sets forth the university's systemwide policy and complaint procedure for complaints made against a student.

Procedures for Complaints of Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Retaliation sets forth the university's systemwide policy and complaint procedure for complaints made against an employee or third-party.

To report an incident to the OEDI, please fill out the online reporting form.

The campus Title IX Coordinator is available to provide you with written and verbal information regarding the applicable University complaint procedure for investigating and addressing your reported incident. Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator is listed above.

Physicians, Psychotherapists, Professional Counselors and Clergy – Physicians, psychotherapists, professional, licensed counselors, and clergy who work or volunteer on or off campus, and who provide medical or mental health treatment or counseling (including those who act in that role under their supervision) may not report any information about an incident of Sexual Violence to anyone else at the University, including the Title IX Coordinator, without your consent. You can seek assistance and support from physicians, psychotherapists, professionals, licensed counselors, and clergy without triggering a University investigation that could reveal your identity or the fact of your disclosure. However, see limited exceptions below regarding when health care practitioners must report to local law enforcement agencies. Health care practitioners should explain these limited exceptions to, if applicable. This includes professional physicians and counselors at the Student Health Center and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

CAPS – (323) 343-3314

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Counselors and – Sexual assault and domestic violence counselors and advocates who work or volunteer on or off campus in sexual assault centers, victim advocacy offices, women's centers, and health centers (including all individuals who work or volunteer in these centers and offices, as well as non-professional counselors or advocates, and those who act in that role under their supervision) may talk to you without revealing any information about you or the incident of sexual violence to anyone else at the University, including the Title IX Coordinator, without your consent. You can seek assistance and support from these counselors and advocates without triggering a University investigation that could reveal your identity or that you disclosed an incident to them. However, see limited exceptions below regarding when sexual assault and domestic violence counselors and advocates must report to local law enforcement agencies. Counselors and advocates should explain these limited exceptions to you, if applicable. Following is the contact information for the sexual assault and domestic violence counselor and advocate on campus:

If you speak only to a physician, professional counselor, clergy member, sexual assault counselor, domestic violence counselor or advocate, you must understand that the University will be unable to conduct an investigation into the particular incident or pursue disciplinary action against the perpetrator, if you choose to maintain confidentiality.

Even so, these individuals will still assist you in receiving other necessary protection and support, such as victim advocacy, disability, medical/health or mental health services, or legal services. They may not, however, be able to assist you with University academic support or accommodations, or changes to University-based living or working schedules, or assist with adjustments to course schedules. Only the University and the Title IX Coordinator can assist with those matters (see below). A victim who at first requests confidentiality may later decide to file a complaint with the University or report the incident to the police, and thus have the incident fully investigated. These counselors and advocates can provide you with that assistance if you wish. These counselors and advocates will also explain that Title IX includes protections against retaliation, and that the University will not only take steps to prevent retaliation when it knows or reasonably should know of possible retaliation, but will also take strong responsive action if it occurs.

EXCEPTIONS: Under California law, any health practitioner employed in a health facility, clinic, physician's office, or local or state public health department or clinic is required to make a report to local law enforcement if he or she provides medical services for a physical condition to a patient/victim who he or she knows or reasonably suspects is suffering from

1. A wound or physical injury inflicted by a firearm; or
2. Any wound or other physical injury inflicted upon a victim where the injury is the result of assaultive or abusive conduct (including Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence, and Dating Violence).

This exception does not apply to sexual assault and domestic violence counselors and advocates. Health care practitioners should explain this limited exception to you, if applicable.

Additionally, under California law, all professionals described above (physicians, psychotherapists, professional counselors, clergy, and sexual assault and domestic violence counselors and advocates) are mandatory child abuse and neglect reporters, and are required to report incidents involving victims under 18 years of age to local law enforcement. These professionals will explain this limited exception to you, if applicable.

Finally, some or all of these professionals may also have reporting obligations under California law to

1. Local law enforcement in cases involving threats of immediate or imminent harm to self or others where disclosure of the information is necessary to prevent the threatened danger; or
2. The court if compelled by court order or subpoena in a criminal proceeding related to the Sexual Violence incident.

If applicable, these professionals will explain this limited exception to you.

If you report to local or University Police about Sexual Violence, the police are required to notify you that your name will become a matter of public record unless confidentiality is requested. If you request that your identity be kept confidential, your name will not become a matter of public record and the police will not report your identity to anyone else at the University, including the Title IX Coordinator. University Police will, however, report the facts of the incident itself to the Title IX Coordinator being sure not to reveal to the Title IX Coordinator your name/identity, or compromise their own criminal investigation.

The University is required by the federal Clery Act to report certain types of crimes (including certain sex offenses) in statistical reports. However, while the University will report the type of incident in the annual crime statistics report known as the Annual Security Report, your name/identity will not be revealed.

Pursuant to the CSU Nondiscrimination Policy, most University employees have a duty to report (Website) incidents of Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Exploitation, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Stalking, or Retaliation when they know or have a reason to know of such incidents. When you tell the Title IX Coordinator or another University employee about a Sexual Misconduct incident, you have the right to expect the University to take immediate and appropriate steps to investigate what happened and to resolve the matter promptly and equitably. In all cases, the University strongly encourages victims to report Sexual Violence directly to the Title IX Coordinator.

As detailed above in the Privileged and Confidential Communications section, all University employees except physicians, licensed counselors, and sexual assault counselors and advocates, must report to the Title IX Coordinator all relevant details about any Sexual Violence incidents of which they become aware. The University will need to determine what happened – and will need to know the names of the victim(s) and the perpetrator(s), any witnesses, and any other relevant facts, including the date, time and specific location of the incident.

To the extent possible, information reported to the Title IX Coordinator or other University employees will be shared only with individuals responsible for handling the University's response to the incident. The University will protect the privacy of individuals involved in a Sexual Violence incident except as otherwise required by law or University policy. A Sexual Violence report may result in the gathering of extremely sensitive information about individuals in the campus community. While such information is considered confidential, University policy regarding access to public records and disclosure of personal information may require disclosure of certain information concerning a report of Sexual Violence. In such cases, efforts will be made to redact the records, as appropriate, in order to protect the victim's identity and privacy and the privacy of other involved individuals.

The Title IX Coordinator can be reached at:

Mariel S. Mulet
Title IX Officer and Director of Human Resources Equity and Diversity Policies and Procedures
5151 State University Drive
Student Services Building, Room 6381
Los Angeles, California 90032
(323) 343-3040

Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you request of the Title IX Coordinator or another University employee that your identity remain completely confidential, the Title IX Coordinator will explain that the University cannot always honor that request and guarantee complete confidentiality. If you wish to remain confidential or request that no investigation be conducted or disciplinary action taken, the University must weigh that request against the University's obligation to provide a safe, non-discriminatory environment for all students, employees and third parties, including you. Under those circumstances, the Title IX Coordinator will determine whether your request for complete confidentiality and/or no investigation can be honored under the facts and circumstances of the particular case, including whether the University has a legal obligation to report the incident, conduct an investigation or take other appropriate steps. Without information about your identity, the University's ability to meaningfully investigate the incident and pursue disciplinary action against the perpetrator may be severely limited.

The Title IX Coordinator will inform you prior to starting an investigation and will, to the extent possible, only share information with people responsible for handling the University's response. The Title IX Coordinator will remain mindful of your well-being, and will take ongoing steps to protect you from retaliation or harm, and work with you to create a safety plan. Retaliation against you, whether by students, or employees, will not be tolerated. The University and Title IX Coordinator will also:

• Provide interim remedies requested by you, if they are reasonably available, regardless of whether you choose to report Sexual Violence to campus or local police;
• Assist you in accessing other available victim advocacy, academic support, counseling, disability, medical/health or mental health services, and legal assistance both on and off campus;
• Provide other security and support, which could include issuing a no-contact order, helping arrange a change of campus-based living or working arrangements or course schedules (including for the perpetrator pending the outcome of the investigation) or adjustments for assignments, tests, or work duties; and
• Inform you of your right to report a crime to University or local police – and provide you with assistance if you wish to do so.

The University will not require you to participate in any investigation or disciplinary proceeding if you do not wish to participate.

The University will not generally notify parents or legal guardians of your report of Sexual Violence unless you are under the age of 18 or you provide the University with written permission to do so.

Under California law, and pursuant to University policy, all University employees, including the Title IX Coordinator, are mandatory child abuse and neglect reporters and should explain to victims under 18 years of age that they are required to report the Sexual Violence incident to the police. However, the identity of the person who reports and the report itself are confidential and disclosed only among appropriate agencies.

Because the University is under a continuing legal obligation to address the issue of Sexual Violence campus-wide, reports of Sexual Violence (including non-identifying reports) may also prompt the University to consider broader remedial action – such as increased monitoring, supervision or security at locations where the reported incident occurred; increased education, training and prevention efforts, including to targeted population groups; conducting climate assessments/victimization surveys; and/or revision of policies and practices.

The Office of the Ombuds, if available on your specific campus, provides confidential, neutral and informal dispute resolution services, provides information about University policies and procedures, and makes referrals. However, in Sexual Violence cases, California law mandates that the Ombuds as well as all other University employees (except for physicians, licensed counselors, sexual assault counselors and advocates as discussed in the Privileged and Confidential Communications section of this policy above) report Sexual Violence incidents to the Title IX Coordinator.

Note: If the University determines that the perpetrator poses a serious and immediate threat to the campus community, a designated Campus Security Authority under the Clery Act may be called upon to issue a timely warning to the community. Any such warning will not include any information that identifies the victim.

Sexual Violence/Misconduct is a form of Sexual Harassment and means physical sexual acts, such as unwelcome sexual touching, sexual assault, sexual battery, rape, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking (when based on gender or sex), perpetrated against an individual against his or her will and without consent or against an individual who is incapable of giving consent due to that individual's use of drugs or alcohol, status as a minor, or disability. Sexual Violence may include physical force, violence, threat, or intimidation, ignoring the objections of the other person, causing the other person's intoxication or incapacitation through the use of drugs or alcohol, or taking advantage of the other person's incapacitation (including voluntary intoxication).

Men as well as women can be victims of these forms of Sexual Violence. Unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor (statutory rape) occurs even if the intercourse is consensual when the victim is under 18 years old, because the victim is considered incapable of giving legal consent due to age.

What can I do in order to help reduce my risk of being a victim of Sexual Violence?

Risk reduction tips can often take a victim-blaming tone, even unintentionally. With no intention to victim-blame and with recognition that only those who commit Sexual Violence are responsible for those actions, these suggestions may nevertheless help you to reduce your risk of experiencing a non-consensual sexual act:

• If you have limits, make them known as early as possible.
• Tell a sexual aggressor "NO" clearly and firmly.
• Try to remove yourself from the physical presence of a sexual aggressor.
• Find someone nearby and ask for help.
• Take affirmative responsibility for your alcohol intake/drug use and acknowledge that alcohol/drugs lower your sexual inhibitions and may make you vulnerable to someone who views a drunk or high person as a sexual opportunity.
• Take care of your friends and ask that they take care of you. A real friend will challenge you if you are about to make a mistake. Respect them when they do.
• In an emergency, call 9-1-1

What can I do in order to help reduce my risk of being an initiator of Sexual Violence?

If you find yourself in the position of being the initiator of sexual behavior, you owe sexual respect to your potential partner. These suggestions may help you to reduce your risk of being accused of sexual misconduct:

• Clearly communicate your intentions to your sexual partner and give them a chance to clearly relate their intentions to you.
• Understand and respect personal boundaries.
• Don't make assumptions about consent, about someone's sexual availability, about whether they are attracted to you, about how far you can go or about whether they are physically and/or mentally able to consent. If there are any questions or ambiguity then you do not have consent.
• Mixed messages from your partner are a clear indication that you should stop, defuse any sexual tension and communicate better. You may be misreading them. They may not have figured out how far they want to go with you yet. You must respect the timeline for sexual behaviors with which they are comfortable.
• Don't take advantage of someone's drunkenness or drugged state, even if they did it to themselves. Incapacitation means a person is unable to give valid consent.
• Realize that your potential partner could be intimidated by you, or fearful. You may have a power advantage simply because of your gender or size. Don't abuse that power.
• Understand that consent to some form of sexual behavior does not automatically imply consent to any other forms of sexual behavior.
• Silence and passivity cannot be interpreted as an indication of consent. Read your potential partner carefully, paying attention to verbal and non-verbal communication and body language.

• Sexual contact requires mutual consent. An incapacitated person (for example, a person who is intoxicated by drugs or alcohol) may be incapable of giving consent. Whether an intoxicated person (as a result of using alcohol or other drugs) is incapacitated depends on the extent to which the alcohol or other drugs impact the person's decision-making capacity, awareness of consequences, and ability to make fully informed judgments.
• No one deserves to be sexually assaulted, stalked or victimized in any way.
• Don't engage in any behavior that may be considered dating/domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or any other form of violence.
• Never use force, coercion, threats, alcohol or other drugs to engage in sexual activity.
• Take responsibility for your actions.
• Avoid alcohol and other drugs.
• Remember "no" means "No!" and "stop" means "Stop!"
• Report incidents of violence (including coercion) to law enforcement and campus authorities.
• Discuss Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking with friends—speak out against violence and clear up misconceptions.
• Don't mistake submission or silence for consent.

• Be aware. Does your partner: Threaten to hurt you or your children? Say it's your fault if he or she hits you and then promises it won't happen again (but it does)? Put you down in public? Force you to have sex when you don't want to? Follow you? Send you unwanted messages and gifts?
• Be assertive. Speak up.
• Stay sober and watch out for dates and/or anyone who tries to get you drunk or high.
• Clearly communicate limits to partners, friends and acquaintances.
• Never leave a party with someone you don't know well and trust.
• Trust your feelings; if it feels wrong, it probably is.
• Learn all you can and talk with your friends. Help them stay safe.
• Report incidents of violence to law enforcement and campus authorities.

• Go to a safe place as soon as possible.
• Preserve evidence.
• Report the incident to University Police or local law enforcement.
• Report the incident to your campus Title IX Coordinator.
• Call a Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence or Stalking hotline.
• Call a friend or family member for help.
• Know that you are not at fault. You did not cause the abuse to occur and you are not responsible for someone else's violent behavior.

Stalking means a repeated course of conduct directed at a specific person (when based on gender or sex) that places that person in reasonable fear for his/her or others' safety, or to suffer substantial emotional distress.

Stalking is a pattern of behavior that makes you feel afraid, nervous, harassed or in danger. It is when someone repeatedly contacts you, follows you, sends you things, talks to you when you don't want them to or threatens you. Stalking behaviors can include:

• Damaging your property.
• Knowing your schedule.
• Showing up at places you go.
• Sending mail, e-mail, texts and pictures.
• Creating a website about you.
• Sending gifts.
• Stealing things that belong to you.
• Calling you repeatedly.
• Any other actions that the stalker takes to contact, harass, track or frighten you.

You can be stalked by someone you know casually, a current boyfriend or girlfriend, someone you dated in the past or a stranger. Getting notes and gifts at your home, on your car or other places might seem sweet and harmless to other people. But if you don't want the gifts, phone calls, messages, letters or e-mails, it doesn't feel sweet or harmless. It can be scary and frustrating.

Sometimes people stalk their boyfriends or girlfriends while they're dating. They check up on them, text or call them all the time, expect instant responses, follow them, use GPS to secretly monitor them and generally keep track of them, even when they haven't made plans to be together. These stalking behaviors can be part of an abusive relationship. If this is happening to you or someone you know, you should talk to a trusted person.

Stalking is a crime and can be dangerous. California Penal Code section 646.9, in part, states, "Any person who willfully, maliciously and repeatedly follows or willfully and maliciously harasses another person and who makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety, or the safety of his or her immediate family is guilty of the crime of stalking…..”

How You Can Help Yourself

Think about ways you can be safer. This means thinking about what to do, where to go for help and who to call ahead of time:

• Where can you go for help?
• Who can you call?
• Who will help you?
• How will you escape a violent situation?

Other Things You Can Do

• In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or University Police or the local police department.
• Let friends or family members know when you are afraid or need help.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way to get out of a bad situation.
• Avoid isolated areas.
• Avoid putting headphones in both ears so you can be more aware of your surroundings.
• Trust your instincts. If a situation or location feels unsafe or uncomfortable, remove yourself.
• Vary your routine, your driving routes and where you park your car.
• When you go out, tell someone where you are going and when you'll be back. Memorize the phone numbers of people to contact or places to go in an emergency.
• Don't load yourself down with packages or bags restricting your movement.
• Keep your cell phone handy; check to see that you have reception and that your cell phone is charged.
• Have money for a cab or other transportation.
• Save notes, letters or other items that the stalker sends to you. Keep a record of all contact that the stalker has with you; these items will be very useful in an investigation.

How You Can Help Someone Else

If you know someone who is being stalked, you can:

• Encourage your friend to seek help.
• Be a good listener.
• Offer your support.
• Ask how you can help.
• Educate yourself about stalking.
• Avoid any confrontations with the stalker; this could be dangerous for you and your friend.

All sexual activity between members of the CSU community must be based on affirmative consent. Engaging in any sexual activity without first obtaining affirmative consent to the specific activity is sexual misconduct, whether or not the conduct violates any civil or criminal law.

Sexual activity includes, but is not limited to, kissing, touching intimate body parts, fondling, intercourse, penetration of any body part, and oral sex. It also includes any unwelcome physical sexual acts, such as unwelcome sexual touching, sexual assault, sexual battery, rape, and dating violence. When it is based on gender, domestic violence and stalking also constitute sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct may include physical force, violence, threat, or intimidation, ignoring the objections of the other person, causing the other person’s intoxication or incapacitation through the use of drugs or alcohol, or taking advantage of the other person’s incapacitation (including voluntary intoxication). Men as well as women can be victims of these forms of sexual misconduct. Sexual activity with a minor is never consensual when the Complainant is under 18 years old, because the minor is considered incapable of giving legal consent due to age.

1. Sexual Assault is a form of sexual misconduct and is an attempt, coupled with the ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another because of that person’s gender or sex.
2. Sexual Battery is a form of sexual misconduct and is any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another because of that person’s gender or sex as well as touching an intimate part of another person against that person’s will and for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse.
3. Rape is a form of sexual misconduct and is non-consensual sexual intercourse that may also involve the use of threat of force, violence, or immediate and unlawful bodily injury or threats of future retaliation and duress. Any sexual penetration, however slight, is sufficient to constitute rape. Sexual acts including intercourse are considered non-consensual when a person is incapable of giving consent because s/he is incapacitated from alcohol and/or drugs, is under 18 years old, or if a mental disorder or developmental or physical disability renders a person incapable of giving consent. The Respondent’s relationship to the person (such as family member, spouse, friend, acquaintance or stranger) is irrelevant. (See complete definition of affirmative consent below.)
4. Acquaintance Rape is a form of sexual misconduct committed by an individual known to the victim. This includes a person the victim may have just met; i.e., at a party, introduced through a friend, or on a social networking website. (See above for definition of Rape.)

Dating Violence is abuse committed by a person who is or has been in a social or dating relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. This may include someone the victim just met; i.e., at a party, introduced through a friend, or on a social networking website. For purposes of this definition, “abuse” means intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury or placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury to himself or herself, or another. Abuse does not include non-physical, emotional distress or injury.

Domestic Violence is abuse committed against someone who is a current or former spouse; current or former cohabitant; someone with whom the abuser has a child; someone with whom the abuser has or had a dating or engagement relationship; or a person similarly situated under California domestic or family violence law. Cohabitant means two unrelated persons living together for a substantial period of time, resulting in some permanency of relationship. Factors that may determine whether persons are cohabiting include, but are not limited to, (1) sexual relations between the parties while sharing the same living quarters, (2) sharing of income or expenses, (3) joint use or ownership of property, (4) whether the parties hold themselves out as husband and wife, (5) the continuity of the relationship, and (6) the length of the relationship. For purposes of this definition, “abuse” means intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury or placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury to himself or herself, or another. Abuse does not include non-physical, emotional distress or injury.

Stalking means engaging in a repeated course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his/her or others’ safety or to suffer substantial emotional distress. For purposes of this definition:

Course of Conduct means two or more acts, including but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person’s property;

Reasonable Person means a reasonable person under similar circumstances and with the same protected statuses as the Complainant;

Substantial Emotional Distress means significant mental suffering or anguish that may, but does not necessarily require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.

Consent means an informed, affirmative, conscious decision by each participant to engage in mutually agreed-upon sexual activity.

• Consent must be voluntary, and given without coercion, force, threats, or intimidation. Consent requires positive cooperation in a particular sexual act, or expression of intent to engage in that sexual act through the exercise of free will.
• Consent can be withdrawn or revoked. Consent to one form of sexual activity (or one sexual act) does not constitute consent to other forms of sexual activity (or other sexual acts). Consent to sexual activity given on one occasion does not constitute consent to sexual activity on another occasion. The fact that two people are or were in a dating or sexual relationship does not constitute consent to engage in sexual activity. There must always be mutual and affirmative consent to engage in sexual activity. Consent to a sexual act may be withdrawn or revoked at any time, including after penetration. The victim's request for the perpetrator to use a condom or birth control does not, in and of itself, constitute consent. Once consent is withdrawn or revoked, the sexual activity must stop immediately.
• Consent cannot be given by a person who is incapacitated. For example, a person cannot give consent if s/he is unconscious or coming in and out of consciousness. A person is incapacitated if s/he lacks the physical and/or mental ability to make informed, rational judgments. Examples of incapacitation include unconsciousness, sleep and blackouts. Whether an intoxicated person (as a result of using alcohol or other drugs) is incapacitated depends on the extent to which the alcohol or other drugs impact the person's decision-making capacity, awareness of consequences, and ability to make fully informed judgments. A person with a medical or mental disability may also lack the capacity to give consent.
• Being intoxicated by drugs or alcohol does not diminish a person's responsibility to obtain consent from the other party before engaging in sexual activity. Factors to be considered include whether the person knew, or whether a reasonable person in the accused's position should have known, that the victim did not give, or revoked, consent; was incapacitated; or was otherwise incapable of giving consent.
• Sexual intercourse with a minor is never consensual when the victim is under 18 years old, because the victim is considered incapable of giving legal consent due to age.

In order for a sexual act to be considered rape or sexual assault, the act must be non-consensual.

Crimes of a sexual nature may be reported to campus or local law enforcement in addition to being reported administratively on campus to the Title IX Coordinator. Both men and women can be victims of rape or sexual assault.

Affirmative Consent means an informed, affirmative, conscious, voluntary, and mutual agreement to engage in sexual activity. It is the responsibility of each person involved in the sexual activity to ensure that he or she has the affirmative consent of the other participant(s) to engage in the sexual activity. Lack of protest or resistance does not mean affirmative consent, nor does silence mean affirmative consent. Affirmative consent must be voluntary, and given without coercion, force, threats, or intimidation.

The existence of a dating or social relationship between those involved, or the fact of past sexual activities between them, should never by itself be assumed to be an indicator of affirmative consent. A request for someone to use a condom or birth control does not, in and of itself, constitute affirmative consent.

Affirmative consent can be withdrawn or revoked. Consent to one form of sexual activity (or one sexual act) does not constitute consent to other forms of sexual activity (or other sexual acts). Consent given to sexual activity on one occasion does not constitute consent on another occasion. There must always be mutual and affirmative consent to engage in sexual activity. Affirmative consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual activity and can be revoked at any time, including after penetration. Once affirmative consent is withdrawn or revoked, the sexual activity must stop immediately.

Affirmative consent cannot be given by a person who is incapacitated. A person is unable to consent when s/he is asleep, unconscious, or is incapacitated due to the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication so that s/he could not understand the fact, nature, or extent of the sexual activity. A person is incapacitated if s/he lacks the physical and/or mental ability to make informed, rational decisions.

Whether an intoxicated person (as a result of using alcohol or other drugs) is incapacitated depends on the extent to which the alcohol or other drugs impact the person’s decision-making ability, awareness of consequences, and ability to make informed judgments. Intoxication or incapacitation from drugs or alcohol does not diminish a person’s responsibility to obtain affirmative consent before engaging in sexual activity.

A person with a medical or mental disability may also lack the capacity to give consent.

Sexual activity with a minor (a person under 18 years old) is never consensual, because a minor is considered incapable of giving consent due to age.

It shall not be a valid excuse that a person affirmatively consented to the sexual activity if the Respondent knew or reasonably should have known that the person was unable to consent to the sexual activity under any of the following circumstances:

• The person was asleep or unconscious;
• The person was incapacitated due to the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication, so that the person could not understand the fact, nature, or extent of the sexual activity;
• The person was unable to communicate due to a mental or physical condition.

It shall not be a valid excuse to alleged lack of affirmative consent that the Respondent believed that the person consented to the sexual activity under either of the following circumstances:

• The Respondent’s belief in affirmative consent arose from the intoxication or recklessness of the Respondent;
• The Respondent did not take reasonable steps, in the circumstances known to the Respondent at the time, to ascertain whether the person affirmatively consented.

Rape is a form of Sexual Violence, and is non-consensual sexual intercourse that may also involve the use of threat of force, violence, or immediate and unlawful bodily injury or threats of future retaliation and duress. Any sexual penetration, however slight, is sufficient to constitute rape. Sexual acts including intercourse are considered non-consensual when a person is incapable of giving consent because s/he is incapacitated from alcohol and/or drugs, is under 18 years old, or if a mental disorder or developmental or physical disability renders the person incapable of giving consent. The accused's relationship to the person (such as family member, spouse, friend, acquaintance or stranger) is irrelevant. (See complete definition of Consent below.)

Acquaintance Rape is a form of Sexual Violence committed by an individual known to the victim. This includes a person the victim may have just met; i.e., at a party, introduced through a friend, or on a social networking website. See above for definition of Rape.

Sexual Assault is a form of Sexual Violence and is an attempt, coupled with the ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another because of that person's gender or sex.

Sexual Battery is a form of Sexual Violence and is any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another because of that person's gender or sex.

California Penal Code Definitions for Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking

Domestic Violence is a form of Sexual Violence, and is abuse committed against someone who is a current or former spouse, current or former cohabitant, someone with whom the abuser has a child, someone with whom the abuser has or had a dating or engagement relationship, or a person similarly situated under California domestic or family violence law.

Cohabitant means two unrelated persons living together for a substantial period of time, resulting in some permanency of relationship.

Factors that may determine whether persons are cohabiting include, but are not limited to

• Sexual relations between the parties while sharing the same living quarters,
• Sharing of income or expenses,
• Joint use or ownership of property,
• Whether the parties hold themselves out as husband and wife,
• The continuity of the relationship, and
• The length of the relationship.

Dating Violence is a form of Sexual Violence, and is abuse committed by a person who is or has been in a social or dating relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. This may include someone the victim just met; i.e., at a party, introduced through a friend, or on a social networking website.

Types of Dating/Domestic Violence That Includes Sexual Misconduct

There usually is a pattern or a repeated cycle of dating violence, starting with the first instance of abuse.

General Pattern of Behavior

• Tension Building: Relationship begins to get strained or tense between partners.
• Explosion: Outburst that includes verbal, emotional or physical abuse.
• Honeymoon: Apologies where the abuser tries to re-connect with his/her partner by shifting the blame onto someone or something else.

What Dating/Domestic Violence Looks Like

Any actions used for the intent of gaining power and control over a person:

• Physical Abuse: any use of physical force with the intent to cause injury (i.e. grabbing in a way to inflict pain, hitting, shoving, strangling, kicking)
• Emotional Abuse: non-physical behaviors such as threats, insults, constant monitoring, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, silent treatment or stalking
• Sexual Abuse: any action that impacts the partner's ability to control their sexual activity or the circumstance which sexual activity occurs, including rape, coercion or restricting access to birth control

Warnings or Signs of Potential Dating/Domestic Violence

• Ask yourself if your partner engages in one or any of the following activities:
• Checks my cell phone or email without my permission.
• Monitors where I'm going, who I'm going with, what I'm doing.
• Repeatedly says or does things to make me feel inadequate or inferior to him/her.
• Extreme jealously or insecurity.
• Isolates me from my friends and family.
• Explosive temper.
• Mood swings.
• Assumes financial control over my access to financial resources.
• Tells me what to do.
• Possessiveness.
• Physically hurts me in any way.

U.S. Department of Education, Regional Office
Office for Civil Rights
50 Beale Street, Suite 7200
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 486-5555
TDD (877) 521-2172

U.S. Department of Education, National Office
Office for Civil Rights
(800) 872-5327

Know Your Rights about Title IX

California Coalition Against Sexual Assault
1215 K. Street, Suite 1850
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 446-2520

Domestic and Family Violence

National Institute of Justice: Intimate Partner Violence

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Office of Violence Against Women

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Intimate Partner Violence

Defending Childhood

Update Message Regarding the Title IX Annual Report for 2022-2023

In response to feedback from Cozen O’Connor following their assessment of the CSU’s Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (DHR) programs and from the California State Auditor following their audit of the CSU’s system to assess the CSU’s handling of sexual harassment complaints against employees at the Office of the Chancellor (Chancellor’s Office), California State University, Fresno, San José State University, and Sonoma State University the CSU Chancellor’s Office is refining the categories of Title IX data it gathers to ensure the accuracy of campus Title IX Annual Reports and to facilitate more precise analysis and identification of patterns and trends. While the CO works to update the data queries, CSU campuses will defer issuing Title IX Annual Reports until the Chancellor’s Office finalizes new guidance for data collection and reporting.

During this time, all CSU campuses will continue to issue the Annual Security Report, accessible for Cal State LA at 2023 Annual Security Report, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act). This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning Clery Act defined crimes that were reported to have occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the CSU, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. This report includes, but is not limited to, reported incidents of sexual assault (including rape, fondling, incest, and statutory rape), domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Please note that the data in the Annual Security Report differs from the data that has historically been reported in a campus’s Title IX Annual Report due to the specific definitional and geographical parameters required for Clery statistics."

• 2021-2022 Title IX Annual Report Survey
• 2020-2021 Annual Report - Executive Order 1095
• 2019-2020 Annual Report - Executive Order 1095
• 2018-2019 Annual Report - Executive Order 1095
• 2017-2018 Annual Report - Executive Order 1095
• 2016-2017 Annual Report - Executive Order 1095