Title IX Definitions

In accordance with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) Interim Policy, Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Discrimination 8/14/2020, Delgado Community College is committed to creating and maintaining anenvironment in which sexual violence against men and women is not tolerated. Intervening in such instances helps to foster asafe environment for all, while sending a message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated and is unacceptable in ourcommunity. The following definitions apply:

Sexual Misconduct

A sexual act or contact of a sexual nature that occurs, regardless of personal relationship, without the consent of the other person(s), or that occurs when the person(s) is unable to give consent or whose consent is coerced or obtained in a fraudulent manner. For the purpose of this Policy, sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to, sexual assault, sexual abuse, violence of a sexual nature, sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual intercourse, sexual exploitation, video voyeurism, contact of a sexual nature with an object, or the obtaining, posting or disclosure of intimate descriptions, photos, or videos without the express consent of the persons depicted therein, as well as dating violence, domestic violence and stalking.

Sexual Assault 

As defined by the Clery Act, an offense that meets the definition of rape, fondling, incest, or statutory rape as used in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program.

Sexual Assault as Defined by Louisiana State Law

Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse

Having or attempting to have sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, or fellatio without consent. Sexual intercourse is defined as anal or vaginal penetration by a penis, tongue, finger, or inanimate object.

Non-Consensual Sexual Contact

Any intentional sexual touching, or attempted sexual touching, without consent

Sexual Exploitation

An act attempted or committed by a person for sexual gratification, financial gain, or other advancement through the abuse or exploitation of another person's sexuality. Examples of sexual exploitation include, but are not limited to, non-consensual observation of individuals who are undressed or engaging in sexual acts, non-consensual audio- or videotaping of sexual activity, prostituting another person, allowing others to observe a personal consensual sexual act without the knowledge or consent of all involved parties, and knowingly exposing an individual to a sexually transmitted infection without that individual's knowledge.

Stalking

Stalking as Defined by Clery Act

An intentional and repeated following or harassing that would cause a reasonable person to feel alarmed or that would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress or intentional and repeated uninvited presence at another person's: home, work place, school, or any other place which would cause a reasonable person to be alarmed or would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress as a result of verbal or behaviorally implied threats of death, bodily injury, sexual assault, kidnapping or any other statutory criminal act to the victim or any member of the victim's family or any person with whom the victim is acquainted. 34 CFR 668.46(a)(ii).

Stalking as Defined by Louisiana State Law

The intentional and repeated following or harassing of another person that would cause a reasonable person to feel alarmed or to suffer emotional distress. Stalking shall include but not be limited to the intentional and repeated uninvited presence of the perpetrator at another person's home, workplace, school, or any place which would cause a reasonable person to be alarmed, or to suffer emotional distress as a result of verbal or behaviorally implied threats of death, bodily injury, sexual assault, kidnapping, or any other statutory criminal act to themself or any member of his family or any person with whom he is acquainted. La. RS § 14:40.2(A) "Harassing" means the repeated pattern of verbal communications or nonverbal behavior without invitation which includes but is not limited to making telephone calls, transmitting electronic mail, sending messages via a third party, or sending letters or pictures. "Pattern of conduct" means a series of acts over a period of time, however short, evidencing an intent to inflict a continuity of emotional distress upon the person. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of pattern of conduct. La. R.S. § 14:40.2(C).

Domestic Violence/Abuse

Domestic Violence Definition in Clery Act

Violence, including but not limited to sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse, committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner or any other person from whom the alleged victim is protected under federal or Louisiana law. Felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed:

  • By a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim;
  • By a person with whom the victim shares a child in common;
  • By a person who is cohabitating with, or has cohabitated with, the victim as a spouse or intimate partner;
  • By a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred; or
  • By any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred. 

Family Violence Definition in Louisiana State Law

Any assault, battery, or other physical abuse which occurs between family or household members, who reside together or who formerly resided together. La. R.S. § 46.2121.1(2)

Domestic Abuse Definition in Louisiana State Law

Includes but is not limited to physical or sexual abuse and any offense against the person as defined in the Criminal Code of Louisiana, except negligent injury and defamation, committed by one family or household member against another. La. R.S. 46:2132(3)

Dating Violence

Dating Violence Definition in Clery Act

Violence, including but not limited to sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse, committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the alleged victim. The existence of such a relationship will be determined based on a consideration of the length and type of relationship and the frequency of interaction.

Dating Violence Definition in Louisiana State Law

"Dating violence" includes but is not limited to physical or sexual abuse and any offense against the person as defined in the Criminal Code of Louisiana, except negligent injury and defamation, committed by one dating partner against the other. La. R.S. §46.2151(C) For purposes of this Section, "dating partner" means any person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:

  • The length of the relationship.
  • The type of relationship.
  • The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature when i) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person's employment or education; ii) submission to or rejection of such conduct by a person is used as the basis for a decision affecting that person's employment or education; or iii) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person's employment or education, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment or educational environment, and has no legitimate relationship to the subject matter of a course or academic research. Sexual harassment also includes non-sexual harassment or discrimination of a person because of the person's sex and/or gender, including harassment based on the person's nonconformity with gender stereotypes. For purposes of this Policy, the various forms of prohibited sexual harassment are referred to as "sexual misconduct."

Retaliation

Acts or attempted acts for the purpose of interfering with any report, investigation, or proceeding under this Policy, or as retribution or revenge against anyone who has reported Sexual Misconduct or Relationship Violence or who has participated (or is expected to participate) in any manner in an investigation, or proceeding under this Policy. Prohibited retaliatory acts include, but are not limited to, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination. Title IX prohibits Retaliation. For purposes of this Policy, an attempt requires a substantial step towards committing a violation.

Consent

Consent to engage in sexual activity must exist from beginning to end of each instance of sexual activity. Consent is demonstrated through mutually understandable words and/or actions that clearly indicate a willingness to engage in a specific sexual activity. Silence alone, without actions evidencing permission, does not demonstrate consent. Consent must be knowing and voluntary. To give consent, a person must be of legal age. Assent does not constitute consent if obtained through coercion or from an individual whom the Alleged Offender knows or reasonably should know is incapacitated. The responsibility of obtaining consent rests with the person initiating sexual activity. Use of alcohol or drugs does not diminish one's responsibility to obtain consent. Consent to engage in sexual activity may be withdrawn by any person at any time. Once withdrawal of consent has been expressed, the sexual activity must cease. Consent is automatically withdrawn by a person who is no longer capable of giving consent. A current or previous consensual dating or sexual relationship between the persons involved does not itself imply consent or preclude a finding of responsibility.

Incapacitation

An individual is considered to be incapacitated if, by reason of mental or physical condition, the individual is manifestly unable to make a knowing and deliberate choice to engage in sexual activity. Being drunk or intoxicated can lead to Incapacitation; however, someone who is drunk or intoxicated is not necessarily incapacitated, as incapacitation is a state beyond drunkenness or intoxication. Individuals who are asleep, unresponsive or unconscious are incapacitated. Other indicators that an individual may be incapacitated include, but are not limited to, inability to communicate coherently, inability to dress/undress without assistance, inability to walk without assistance, slurred speech, loss of coordination, vomiting, or inability to perform other physical or cognitive 5 tasks without assistance.

Coercion

The use of express or implied threats, intimidation, or physical force which places an individual in fear of immediate harm or physical injury or causes a person to engage in unwelcome sexual activity. Coercion also includes administering a drug, intoxicant, or similar substance with the intent to impair that person's ability to consent prior to engaging in sexual activity.

Responsible Employee

Each institution must designate and publish the names and contact information for easily accessible institution employees as responsible employees who have the authority to take action to redress sexual violence and have been given the duty of reporting incidents of sexual violence or any other misconduct by students to the Title IX Coordinator or other appropriate school designee. However, an institutional decision to make all institution employees mandatory reporters of suspected or known sexual harassment or sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator or other appropriate school designee does not render all institutional employees to be responsible employees. Employees who are authorized or required by law to keep information confidential by virtue of the employee's professional role such as counseling staff or similar shall not be designated as mandated reporters of sexual harassment or as responsible employees. See Responsible Employees.

Sexually-Oriented Criminal Offense

Any sexual assault offense as defined in: La. R.S. 44:51 and any sexual abuse offense as defined in La. R.S. 14:403.

Complainant

An individual whose report of sexual misconduct has not yet been investigated and validated.

Victim

An individual who, after all due investigation and/or adjudication, has been found to be the target of sexual misconduct

Respondent

An individual against whom a sexual misconduct complaint is brought, which has not yet been validated through investigation and/or adjudication.

Perpetrator

An individual found guilty of sexual misconduct.

Confidential Advisor

The confidential advisor primarily serves to aid a student involved in a sexual misconduct complaint in the resolution process as a confidential resource. As suggested by the term "confidential advisor," confidential communications with the advisor will be kept confidential in all circumstances except where the institution or advisor may be required to disclose the communications under state and federal laws. For example, an institution may be compelled by law to disclose communications between the student and his/her confidential advisor if directed by the court in civil litigation. Each institution shall designate individuals who shall serve as confidential advisors.  See current list of Confidential Advisors.