Z-Information for Students - Option 2

What is consent?

Consent is a continuous discussion of boundaries between individuals and can best be defined as an agreement between two parties to engage in sexual activity. Consent best happens when there is honest and assertive communication regarding expectations and boundaries. Affirmative consent is a knowing, voluntary, and mutual decision among all parties to engage in a particular sexual activity.

Sexual Contact Must Be Consensual at ALL Times.

Consent to one sexual activity or consent to prior sexual activity does not grant consent in future sexual activity. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. For example, agreeing to kiss someone does not give that person permission to remove clothes or touch other parts of the body.

When consent can no longer be given, sexual activity must stop.

Consent cannot be legally given by a minor, by someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if someone is physically incapable.

Silence or lack of resistance does not grant consent.

If someone is silent or becomes visibly upset during any sexual activity, consent has not been given, regardless of the body’s physiological responses.

Stalking is engaging in a course of behavior directed at a specific person that causes that person to fear for their safety, the safety of others, or to suffer substantial emotional distress.

Stalking Behavior

Two or more acts of the following (but not limited to), done by the person directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means may be evidence of stalking:

• Following
• Monitoring
• Surveilling
• Threatening
• Threatening a person’s physical property

Context Matters

A single isolated incident may not mean much to someone, but if there are behaviors or conduct that involves the following, it could be stalking:

Identifying Stalking Behaviors

Surveillance is a person watching, following, or gathering information about the intended individual.

• Keeping track of someone’s online social media activity
• Researching a person
• Watching/waiting in places the person may be

Intimidation is a person threatening or scaring the intended individual.

• Direct/explicit threats: “I will hurt you.” “You better watch out.”
• Verbal, written, or online threats to hurt, embarrass, or cause harm.
• Using third parties to watch a person.
• Symbolic violence (i.e. slashed tires)
• Blackmail/threats to release intimate or private photos, messages, or information.
• Threats to hurt themselves or the person’s loved ones.
• Forced confrontations (i.e. standing in the hallway when no one is around).

Life invasion is a person showing up in the intended individual’s life.

• Spreading rumors or misinformation.
• Messaging, texting, emailing, or calling the person.
• Contacting people close to that person’s circle.
• Showing up in public or private places that person may be.
• Leaving notes/gifts for that person.
• Joining groups, activities, or communities that person may be a part of.

Interference is a person sabotaging, attacking, or changing the intended person’s life?

• Damaging property
• Hacking into the person’s accounts
• Impersonating the person online
• Sabotaging through spreading rumors
• Causing physical injury

Cyberstalking

Cyberstalking is the use of the internet or other technology to harass people online. This can occur through emails, text messages, social media posts, GPS tracking, catfishing, with the intention to be deliberate, persistent, and cause fear, stress, and worry.

Stalking and Social Media

The use of social media has created an opportunity for cyberstalking to become accessible and to occur more frequently.

Signs You’re Being Stalked on Social Media:

• Following the person online by joining the same groups and forums
• Commenting or liking every post the person makes
• Messaging the person repeatedly
• Hijacking into the person’s social media accounts
• Posting fake photos of the person
• Receiving explicit photos online

Tips on Avoiding Stalking on Social Media

• Keep your profile private through your settings
• Turn off your location while using apps/avoid tagging your location
• Hide your friends list so stalkers avoid duplicating or contacting your friends
• Switch up your usernames for different social media platforms
• Don’t share more information than necessary (i.e. birth dates, relationship status, email, phone number)
• Delete old accounts
• Change your settings to not approve messages from people you do not follow

How is Moody Addressing Stalking Behavior?

Moody takes reports of stalking behavior very seriously. First, it is important to recognize the difference between someone exhibiting stalking behavior and someone navigating through campus as they are going to class, study locations, school events, or hanging out with friends.

However, if you feel someone is displaying stalking behavior toward you, the Title IX Office encourages students and employees to report it immediately.

Don’t make assumptions. Don’t assume the person is not being truthful when they share their experience. Oftentimes, people have a fear of not being believed, preventing them from seeking help.

Validate their feelings. When sharing something vulnerable, people often seek someone who will listen and be non-judgmental. Understand their feelings from their perspective and how their circumstance can make them feel.

Offer support. Be a friend they can lean on and talk to. Sometimes this can look like accompanying a friend somewhere to feel safe, help them get food, or visiting a resource center with them.

Encourage reporting. Encourage them to share their experience with the right resources so they can receive support.

Respect their privacy. It is a difficult experience to share about something vulnerable. It is important to maintain the person’s privacy as much as possible to preserve their trust and confidentiality while also remembering your duty to report prohibited conduct to the Title IX Office if you are a Moody employee.

Refer them to resources. Be familiar with services that can help, including Moody’s Title IX Office, Counseling Services, Health Services, or other community agencies.

We understand teachers and students may develop a trusting relationship. Oftentimes, students can seek teachers or staff members to guide them through a situation.

Communicate your role as a Designated Reporter. If you a student shares or is about to share an incident related to sexual harassment or other Title IX prohibited conduct, kindly inform them of your role as a Designated Reporter. You should still hear what the student wants to tell you, and you are welcome to accompany them if they choose to come to the Title IX Office.

A reminder: While designated reporters must share names of those involved in Title IX prohibited conduct, the student has the right to decline any meetings with the Title IX Office.

Don’t make promises. It may be your desire to protect your student by assuring them of a positive outcome. But it is important to remember not to make any promises about how a Title IX process may go.

Validate their feelings. When sharing something vulnerable, people often seek someone who will listen and be non-judgmental. Understand their feelings from their perspective and how their circumstance can make them feel.

Refer them to resources. Familiarize yourself with services that can help, including Moody’s Title IX Office, Counseling Services, Health Services, or other community agencies.

Don’t make assumptions. Don’t assume the person is not being truthful when they share their experience. Oftentimes, people have a fear of not being believed, preventing them from seeking help.

Validate their feelings. When sharing something vulnerable, people often seek someone who will listen and be non-judgmental. Understand their feelings from their perspective and how their circumstance can make them feel.

Offer support. Be someone they can lean on and talk to. Sometimes this can look like accompanying them somewhere safe or to a resource center.

Encourage reporting. Encourage them to share their experience with the right resources so they can receive support.

Respect their privacy. It is a difficult experience to share about something vulnerable. It is important to maintain the person’s privacy as much as possible to preserve their trust and confidentiality, and to avoid any disruption in the workplace while also remembering your duty to report prohibited conduct to the Title IX Office if you are a Moody employee.

Refer them to resources. Familiarize yourself with services that can help, including Moody’s Title IX Office, Counseling Services, Health Services, or Human Resources.