April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In an effort to promote education around healthy relationships and consent, Fontbonne University’s Counseling and Wellness department hosted a Health Relationship Fair Wednesday, April 13, 2022. The event featured certified peer educators and facilitated conversations around relationship red flags, healthy communication, consent, Title IX, and various resources on and off-campus. In addition to the fair, we gathered some tips and information on these topics from our own Title IX team. Learn more about how to protect you and your friends below.
Types of Misconduct- Understanding how these behaviors are defined.
Sexual Harassment- Any unwelcome and inappropriate sexual remarks or physical advances that occur through force, intimidation, and coercion. The different types are physical, verbal, and digital.
Dating Violence – A person exhibiting patterns of assaultive and controlling behaviors against their partner to gain or maintain power in the relationship.
Domestic Violence- A person exhibiting patterns of assaultive and controlling behaviors against their partner, relatives, or family friends to gain or maintain power in the relationship.
Quid Pro Quo– “If you do this for me, I will do that for you.”
Stalking – The act of repeatedly following or harassing another person that would cause them to fear for their safety and suffer substantial emotional distress.
Voyeurism– Observing an individual involved in sexual activity or in a private state without their knowledge or
Key things to remember if you or someone you know has experienced these things:
- The survivor is never to blame for an incident. IT IS NEVER YOUR FAULT.
- It can happen to anyone. You are NOT alone.
- It does not matter what the person wears, how they act, or where they choose to spend their time. Everyone is equally deserving of respect.
- It is about exerting power and control over another person. You did nothing wrong.
Understanding Consent
- Mutual Permission between partners.
- Both parties must be fully conscious and aware of the situation.
- Consent can be withdrawn at any time. You are allowed to change your mind at any point.
- Consent is required every time an activity is performed.
- Silence is not consent.
Knowing Your resources- What are your options for assistance.
After an assault:
- Get to a safe place away from the assailant. Ask someone you trust for mora support.
- – Preserve evidence from the incident.
- – Call 911 or DPS on campus.
- – Seek medical care.
- – Speak to a licensed therapist confidentially on campus
- – Report the incident to Fontbonne’s Title IX Coordinator or Deputy
Information will not be shared with anyone else unless you or someone else is at risk of serious and imminent harm.
Title IX
“Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX states:
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Title IX applies to schools, local and state educational agencies, and other institutions that receive federal financial assistance from the Department. These recipients include approximately 17,600 local school districts, over 5,000 postsecondary institutions, and charter schools, for-profit schools, libraries, and museums. Also included are vocational rehabilitation agencies and education agencies of 50 states, the District of Columbia, and territories of the United States” U.S Department of Education.
What does Title IX do on campus?
Educate the community to recognize and report sexual harassment.
Create an environment that encourages discussions and reporting of sexual harassment
Provide compassionate support for anyone affected by sexual harassment
Who do I contact?
All inquiries regarding the application of policies for the prevention of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct under Title IX should be referred to Fontbonne’s Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinators.
Off campus resources:
Safe Connections– 314-531- 2003
LAAW- 314-664-6699
St. Mary’s Hospital– 314-768-8000
ALIVE– 314- 993- 2777
YWCA St. Louis Regional Sexual Assault Center: