Cabrillo College encourages everyone to report all forms of gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct to the College and/or the police. Making a report means telling someone in a position of authority what happened – this can be online, in person, over the phone, or in an email.

Contact the Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Officer or submit a completed form to report an incident now.

Who Can File a Report?

Anyone (students, faculty, staff, general public) can report gender-based discrimination or sexual misconduct to the College. It does not matter if you were personally involved in an incident or if you witnessed something happening to someone else. Cabrillo College follows a See Something, Say Something, Do Something model. This means we expect community members to look out for each other and report misconduct that affects all members of our campus community.

When Should I File a Report?

You should report incidents of gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct as soon as possible. While it is never too late to report sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, or dating or domestic violence, it is much easier to conduct a thorough investigation if a report is made in a timely manner. Reporting instances of sexual misconduct as soon as possible allows the College to help you (and other affected parties) connect with valuable support services.

Will My Report Be Confidential?

Cabrillo College recognizes that the desire for privacy can play a key role in deciding whether to report gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. While your information will always be kept private, meaning it will only ever be shared on a need-to-know basis, not all College employees can promise to keep the information you share with them confidential.

All responsible Cabrillo College employees (except for confidential Student Health Services counselors) are required to report information regarding sexual misconduct involving Cabrillo students or employees. They share this information with the Title IX Coordinator so that the incident may be resolved in a prompt and equitable manner under Cabrillo College's resolution procedures.

When you file a report with the college, you may request confidentiality and/or that the Title IX coordinator provide you with remedies and resources without initiating a formal resolution process. The Title IX Coordinator will weigh requests for confidentiality against the institutional need to address and remedy discrimination under Title IX. The College will be able to respect your wishes, unless it believes there is a threat to the community based on the use of weapons, violence, pattern, predation, or threatening conduct by the person being accused.

Where Should I File My Report?

You have the choice to report sexual misconduct to the College, or the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department, Cabrillo Division. You can file a report with the College and still decline to file a report with local law enforcement agencies. If you are unsure of where to file your report, contact the College's Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Officer to discuss your reporting options, and help you file a report with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department if you so desire. Report all instances of of gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment to the Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Officer. Learn more about your reporting options HERE.

Filing a Report with the College

To file a formal complaint with the College, fill out the form here. Any information you share with the Title IX Team will be kept private, and shared only on a need-to-know basis. When you file a report with the College, the Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Officer will meet with you to review all of your options. The Title IX Coordinator may help with changes to your academics, work, and transportation conditions. They may also implement other interim protective measures to make sure participating in a case resolution does not affect your access to education.

Filing a Report with the Sheriff's Office

You can report instances of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking to to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department, Cabrillo Division in person or over the phone. If you choose not to report the incident immediately to the police, you can still make a report at a later date.

Office Location: Building 1185 (Located in Aptos on the lower campus near the soccer fields)

Office Hours: By appointment only due to COVID-19

Dispatch Phone: (831) 471-1121

Sherriff's Office Phone: (831) 479-6314

Emergency: 9-1-1 (24 hours)

Sheriff Website

Filing a Report with the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination may also file a formal grievance with the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. Contact information for the San Francisco branch of the Office of Civil Rights is listed below:

San Francisco Office
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
U.S. Department of Education
50 Beale Street, Suite 7200
San Francisco, CA 94105-1813
Telephone: (415)486-5555
Fax: (415)486-5570; TDD: (800)877-8339
Email: ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov
Web: http://www.ed.gov/ocr

Title IX Reporting

In order for appropriate and timely action to be taken, Cabrillo College encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking to report the offense to the Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible after its occurrence.

The Title IX Coordinator will consult with a reporting party and review options for next steps, which may include an alternative resolution or a formal investigation. In addition, when appropriate and reasonably available, the Title IX Coordinator may assist with changes to academic, work, and transportation conditions or implement other interim protective measures such as no contact directives. Click here to submit a report.

Safety and Interim Measures

When necessary and appropriate, the College can implement safety and interim measures to provide support and protection to individuals involved in cases of sexual harassment or sexual violence. Some of these measures include: no contact directives, changes in class or work schedules, provision of special parking or transportation conditions, and other academic adjustments. Safety and interim measures can be arranged through the Title IX Coordinator.

Protective / Restraining Orders

Reporting parties have the right to seek orders of protection, no-contact orders, restraining orders, or similar lawful orders issues by criminal, civil, or tribal courts, and may seek the help of the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Department, Cabrillo division in requesting and/or enforcing such orders.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Cabrillo College recognizes the desire for privacy can play a key role in deciding whether to report an incident of sexual harassment or assault.
Any reporting party who wishes to speak with someone who can guarantee strict confidentiality should speak with Student Health Services or any of the other confidential resources listed below.

All responsible Cabrillo College employees (except for confidential Student Health Services counselors) are required to report information regarding sexual misconduct involving Cabrillo students or employees. They share this information with the Title IX Coordinator so that the incident may be resolved in a prompt and equitable manner under Cabrillo College's resolution procedures.

You may request confidentiality and/or that the Title IX Coordinator provide you with remedies and resources without initiating a formal resolution process. The coordinator will weigh requests for confidentiality against the institutional need to address and remedy discrimination under Title IX.
Generally, the College will be able to respect your wishes, unless it believes there is a threat to the community based on the use of weapons, violence, pattern, predation, or threatening conduct by the person being accused.

Reporting parties have the right to seek orders of protection, no-contact orders, restraining orders, or similar lawful orders issues by criminal, civil, or tribal courts, and may seek the help of the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Department, Cabrillo division in requesting and/or enforcing such orders.

Disciplinary and Remedial Measures

If the College determines that the responding party has violated Cabrillo policy, it will apply appropriate sanctions and remedial measures to address the impact to the reporting party and the Cabrillo community at large. Sanctions and remedies vary depending on the status (student, staff, or faculty) of the responding party. Sanctions can range from a warning to expulsion (for students) or termination (for employees).

Evidence Preservation

Sexual Assault Forensic Exams (SAFEs) can be conducted after a sexual assault to preserve important physical evidence. Even if physical injuries are not visible, a SAFE exam is strongly recommended to collect forensic evidence and maintain all legal options.

You may choose to avoid washing, bathing, urinating, etc., until after your examination. Because evidence of a sexual assault can deteriorate quickly, you may choose to seek a medical exam as soon as possible. Evidence collection should be completed within 120 hours of an assault, but fluids, hair samples, and DNA can be collected for a long time thereafter. Even if you have washed, evidence can often still be obtained. After 120 hours, it may still be helpful to have medical attention, even if you are not trying to obtain evidence of an assault.

If you are still wearing any clothes worn during the assault, wear them to the hospital, but bring a change of clothes, as the hospital will keep the clothes you are wearing as evidence. If you have changed clothes, bring the ones you were wearing during the assault to the hospital in a clean paper (not plastic) bag or a wrapped in a clean sheet. Leave sheets/towels at the scene of the assault. Police will collect them. Typically, police will be called to the hospital to take custody of the findings of the SAFE exam, but it is up to you whether you wish to speak with them or file a criminal complaint.

To initiate a SAFE exam, you can contact law enforcement or go directly to a hospital and request one. In Santa Cruz, SAFE exams are done at Valley Medical Center in San Jose. Student Health Services does not conduct SAFE exams. If you would like help accessing a SAFE exam you can contact a Monarch Services confidential advocate at (888) 900-4232.

Police Reporting

Individuals who have experienced sexual assault or harassment may choose to file a criminal report with local law enforcement. If an individual chooses not to report the incident immediately to the police, a report can still be made at a later date.

Incidents may be reported confidentially to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department, Cabrillo Division at (831) 471-1121, or by calling 911. If appropriate, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department may also assist an individual with filing a police report with other law enforcement agencies. The Title IX Coordinator can help you contact the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department.

Civil Options

Individuals may choose to seek civil remedies whether or not criminal charges and/or a Title IX complaint have been filed. Civil remedies may provide recovery of damages, including monetary compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Contact an attorney for more advice about this process.

Cabrillo College Procedures Regarding Title IX Reports

INTAKE
The Title IX Coordinator will assist the reporting party with making choices and accessing resources. Assuming the reporting party chooses to move forward with a campus resolution, the next step is a preliminary inquiry. All resolutions will be conducted by campus officials who receive annual training on issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and on how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of victims and promotes accountability.

The resolution process is confidential. The institution will protect the confidentiality of victims, consistent with state and federal law. Title IX-related resolutions are not subject to publicly available recordkeeping provisions. Any release of information about a resolution will be accomplished without the inclusion of identifying information about the victim, to the extent permissible by law.

PRELIMINARY INQUIRY
An initial determination is made about the allegations and whether to move forward to a formal investigation. This decision is made by the Title IX Coordinator and the Director of Human Resources, taking into account the nature of the allegations and the reporting party's wishes. If the decision is made to move forward, the Title IX Coordinator will oversee an investigation.

INVESTIGATIONS
An investigative model is used to resolve allegations. Trained investigators will provide an investigation that is prompt, thorough, reliable, equitable, fair, and impartial. They will interview reporting and responding parties and witnesses, and prepare reports with their findings and sanctioning recommendations. Information about all the steps in the investigative process is available at http://www.cabrillo.edu/home/title9-reporting.html

HEARINGS
The hearing panel will have the opportunity to question the investigators during hearings. The panel may accept or reject investigators' recommendations. If the panel rejects the recommendations or decides to issue alternate sanctions, it must do so within the framework of the policy, citing clear evidence to support its decisions. The panel may additionally return the report to investigators for modification.

STANDARD OF EVIDENCE
The College uses a preponderance of evidence standard. Decision-makers consider whether, given the available credible evidence, it is more likely than not that a violation occurred.

PAST HISTORY
The past sexual history or character of an individual is not considered unless it is determined to be highly relevant. All such information sought to be entered for consideration by a party or the College will be presumed irrelevant until evidence of its relevance is offered. The existence of a pattern of behavior by a responding party may be relevant to the finding and sanction imposed. Both parties will be notified in advance if such information has been deemed relevant and will be considered during the process.

FINAL DETERMINATION
The parties will be informed in writing of the outcome of the resolution, without significant delay between the notifications to each party. This notice will include the procedures for appealing the decision, any change to the results that occurs prior to the time that such results become final, and when results are considered to be final.

APPEALS
If either party is not satisfied with the results of the administrative determination, he/she may submit a written appeal to the Board of Trustees within 15 days of receiving notice of a final determination. The Board shall review the original complaint, the investigative report, the administrative decision, and the appeal. The Board shall issue a final decision on the matter within 45 days after receiving the appeal. All parties are included in any appeal reconsideration and have equal rights of participation. There is only one level of appeal. All appeals determinations made by the Board of Trustees are final.

Cabrillo College provides support services and resources to all members of the college community (students, staff, and faculty) who may have experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or any other form of gender discrimination. You do not have to file a report with the College to access these resources.

Resources are available to employees and students who have experienced sexual misconduct (reporting parties), as well as those who have been accused of engaging in misconduct (responding parties). If you have any questions about how to access any of these resources, please contact the Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Officer.

Confidential Resources

A Note About Confidentiality

In determining which resources to access, it is important to consider the related issues of confidentiality and privacy. Those terms sound similar, but they mean somewhat different things. Confidentiality means information will generally not be shared with anyone, except in very rare cases when sharing the information would prevent serious harm to others or the reporter. Privacy means any information you provide will only be shared with a small number of people on a need-to-know basis.

Most Cabrillo employees can promise privacy, but not confidentiality, because they are legally required to share information that they learn about incidents of sexual misconduct and gender-based harassment with the Title IX Coordinator. Only confidential counselors in Student Health Services can promise true confidentiality. Cabrillo students and employees may also seek help from any of the confidential community resources listed below.

Please keep in mind, the Title IX Coordinator will treat any information received with the utmost discretion and sensitivity. Please feel free to contact the Title IX Coordinator to discuss the distinction between confidential and non-confidential resources and to find the appropriate resource for you. During such conversation, you are free to share as much or as little about your own experience as you feel comfortable.

Student Health Services

Student Health Services can provide first aid, birth control, emergency contraceptives (morning after pill), confidential personal counseling, pregnancy tests and STI (sexually-transmitted infection) testing.
Phone: (831) 479-6435
E-mail: Healthservices@cabrillo.edu
Website: www.cabrillo.edu/services/health

Hours:

Aptos Campus - Room 913
8am-5pm Monday - Thursday
Closed Friday

Watsonville - by appointment only

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

EAP is available to all Cabrillo employees and provides each user with six visits with a licensed counselor per issue with no co-payment required.
Phone: 1-800-999-7222
Website: http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/hr/eap.html

Planned Parenthood Westside Health Center

The Westside Health Center offers general health care, well woman exams, men's health services, transgender healthcare, family planning services, birth control, emergency contraception, HIV testing, pregnancy tests, and STI (sexually transmitted infection) testing, treatment, and vaccines.

Phone: 831-426-5550
Website: https://www.plannedparenthood.org
Location: 1119 Pacific Ave. Suite 20, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Office Hours: 8:15am -5:30pm (M,W,TH,F)
8:15am -6:30pm (Tuesday)
8:45am -2:15pm (Saturday)
Closed Sunday

Planned Parenthood Watsonville Health Center

The Watsonville Health Center offers general health care, well woman exams, men's health services, family planning services, birth control, emergency contraception, HIV testing, pregnancy tests, and STI (sexually transmitted infection) testing, treatment, and vaccines.

Phone: 831-724-7525
Website: https://www.plannedparenthood.org
Location: 398 South Green Valley Road, Watsonville, CA 95076
Office Hours: 8:45am -5:30pm (M-F)
Closed Saturday & Sunday

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services offers 24-hour access to emergency, temporary, and transitional housing.

Phone: (831) 728-5649
Website: http://pvshelter.org

Community Resources

Monarch Services

Monarch Services offers 24-hour access to free, confidential, bilingual support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Monarch Services also provides crisis counseling and emergency shelter.
24-Hour Bilingual Crisis line: 1-888-900-4232
Website: http://www.monarchscc.org/

Walnut Avenue Family and Women's Center

The Walnut Avenue Family and Women's Center offers 24-hour access to free, confidential, bilingual support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The center also provides one-on-one peer advocacy, legal advocacy including help requesting restraining orders, and support groups.
24-Hour Bilingual Crisis line: 1-866-2MY-ALLY (1-866-269-2559)
Website: http://www.wafwc.org/

Planned Parenthood Westside Health Center

The Westside Health Center offers general health care, well woman exams, men's health services, transgender healthcare, family planning services, birth control, emergency contraception, HIV testing, pregnancy tests, and STI (sexually-transmitted infection) testing, treatment, and vaccines.
Phone: 831-426-5550
Website: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
Location: 1119 Pacific Ave. Suite 200
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Office Hours: 8:15am -5:30pm (M,W,TH,F)
8:15am -6:30pm (Tuesday)
8:45am -2:15pm (Saturday)
Closed Sunday