Dealing with Sexual Assault or Harassment?

Reports can be started through a visit to Public Safety or by requesting a meeting with Public Safety by calling 856.222.9311 ext. 2222 or contacting the Title IX Coordinator. You can also initiate an alert here. Once a alert is submitted, we will contact you to discuss safety and support options and review the next steps in the Title IX process.

When an alert is submitted, the system notifies the Title IX Coordinator. The alert is reviewed and the Title IX Coordinator attempts to contact the staff member or student to follow up on safety and support options. During the conversation, the Title IX Coordinator will discuss the formal reporting requirements and review the process.

If you file a formal report, RCBC begins communication with the individuals directly involved (complainant and respondent) and initiates an investigation. This involves organizing all of the information from the original report and conducting additional interviews with the individuals directly involved and any additional witnesses. While investigations are not confidential, privacy is respected in all interviews and interactions.

If there are alleged Title IX violations found in the investigation, a review and hearing process will begin. Informal resolution is possible in some cases if both parties agree. More detailed information regarding the steps that follow an Alert Form can be found in the procedure link on rcbc.edu/titleix.

RCBC is responsible and required to investigate all formally reported Title IX complaints. Formal complaints must be submitted in writing with consent to move forward with the Title IX procedures. This step follows the initial discussion of the submitted alert form or the initial contact with Public Safety.

The Federal Regulations require notice to both the complainant (the reporting person) and the respondent (the person accused of the alleged behavior) by the Title IX Coordinator after a formal complaint / formal report is submitted in writing. Advisors are permitted to support either party but may not play an active role in the interview or review process until the Hearing portion of the process. Students and Employees can ask anyone to assist as their advisor, including family members, friends, an employee or other options. If an individual does not have an advisor, the college will provide one. 

Interviews will be conducted by the Title IX Investigating Officer. After all interviews are complete, a report is filed and a review period is opened to review the investigation report and materials.  After the review period, a live hearing is conducted and a decision is made regarding responsibility and disciplinary outcomes or sanctions.

The college uses a “preponderance of the evidence” standard (see definition below) in all Title IX Hearings regarding determination of responsibility.  Communication is sent to both parties (and their advisor) regarding determinations, sanctions, and appeal options. Additional communication is distributed following any appeal requests and / or outcomes.

Definition: 
“Preponderance of the evidence” standard - this is a consideration that requires that there be at least 50% of the evidence in a case indicating that the event may have occurred.

If you are a student, you can make an appointment with the Office of Student Support through this Request Form or call 856 222-9311, ext. 1582. This office can assist you external counseling resources to support you.

If you are an employee, counseling services are available by accessing Carebridge Resources, provided to all employees via Human Resources. You can also access the external resources available below.

Off-campus confidential reporting and support options are also available and include:

CONTACT of Burlington County Sexual Assault Services
(856) 234-0634

Providence House Domestic Violence Services
(877) 871-7551

If you are a student, you can make an appointment with the Office of Student Support through this Request Form or call (856) 222-9311, ext. 1582. This office can assist you external counseling resources to support you.

If you are an employee, counseling services are available by accessing Carebridge Resources, provided to all employees via Human Resources. You can also access the external resources available below.

Off-campus confidential reporting and support options are also available and include:

CONTACT of Burlington County Sexual Assault Services
(856) 234-0634

Providence House Domestic Violence Services
(877) 871-7551

If you are involved as a respondent (accused individual) in a Title IX complaint, you will receive initial communication from the Title IX Coordinator through your official college email address with information about the complaint, the alleged violation, and the Title IX procedure. The notification includes the college's standard that a respondent is presumed not responsible and a determination regarding responsibility is made at the conclusion of the hearing and appeal process. 

You will be asked to participate in an interview and provide any information you have regarding the matter. You can select a person to be with you during these meetings and throughout the process to assist you as your advisor. If you don't have someone who can support you, the college will provide one. All evidence will be evaluated in the hearing process using a preponderance of the evidence standard. This means that the Hearing Panel must determine that there be at least 50% of the evidence in a case indicating that the event occurred in order to determine an individual is "responsible" for the act. Every effort is made to ensure that due process is followed throughout the Title IX process and investigations are conducted fairly. 

If you are a victim of a sexual assault, your safety is the top concern. We recommend the following steps to seek immediate support and take future action:

Step one is to make sure you are safe. If you are a victim of any type of sexual assault, we encourage you to take action as soon as possible using one of these options or by going to your closest emergency room.

The next step is to make a decision about how you want to move forward.

• If you are seeking campus resources, RCBC offers student support resources on campus for confidential reporting and other options. You can start the reporting process with Public Safety or the Title IX Coordinator. If you prefer an initial confidential reporting option, students have the option to report the incident confidentially on campus to the Office of Student Support Counselor. We also have partnerships with local county and private offices that can provide confidential counseling. Confidential reports will not result in an investigation unless you ask for it to move forward and involve the Title IX Coordinator.
• If an incident occurred on campus or at a campus event, you can file a report with Public Safety. This will allow the college to investigate and address issues, like sexual assault, that violate Title IX. Title IX is a law that protects individuals against all forms of sexual harassment. You can see detailed procedures at rcbc.edu/titleix.

Stated simply, RCBC is responsible, under Title IX, for protecting all students and employees from all forms of gender discrimination, including, but not limited to,dating or domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. Specifically, it is a federal law that 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.”

--Legal Citation: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX)

If you have experienced dating or domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or other types of gender discrimination, you should initiate a report to the RCBC student support counselor, the Title IX Coordinator, Public Safety, or the local police. 

If you have witnessed one of the above items, especially if it occurred on campus, you should follow the same reporting process, and let us know. 

Confidential reporting for students is available through the RCBC Student Support Counselor. Request an appointment here. Confidential reporting for employees is available through the Carebridge Resources. 

Ready to Report to the Title IX Coordinator? Click here to find the reporting form and get started.  If you prefer to start this process with a conversation, please contact the Title IX Coordinator or contact Public Safety at at (856) 222-9311, ext. 2222.

We are here to support you no matter how you want to start the process. For students, the Student Support office team is available to listen to you, support you and provide information on resources. Staff and faculty are encouraged to utilize the confidential Carebridge resources or an external counselor to talk through the incident.

Reports can be made to the Title IX Coordinator without an immediate start to an investigation. Except in extreme circumstances, a formal complaint must be filed by the individual experiencing the harassment in order to start an investigation. Your conversation will be conducted privately with care and concern for all involved, but this is not considered a confidential reporting option. 

If you wish to file a complaint or report and start an investigation, contact Public Safety or report it here. While not confidential, all investigations are conducted privately with care and concern for all involved. 

You can always report a situation to Public Safety, or initiate a report here.

Individuals can provide anonymous reports to the Tip Line at (856) 222-9311, ext. 1111. Public Safety and the Title IX Coordinator will review and attempt to investigate any anonymously submitted complaints. 

RCBC recognizes that it takes courage to report an incident. Our college policies prohibit retaliation for reports of misconduct by a student or employee. You can view the Anti-Retaliation policy here. In addition, the Public Safety department is available to assist you while on campus and provide information and support in accessing external resources.  

For more information on any Title IX related questions, please contact the Title IX Coordinator: 

Cathy Briggs, Ed.D
Dean of Student Success
cbriggs@rcbc.edu
(856) 242-5391
(856) 222-9311, ext 1235