LACM Policies and Proceduresregarding Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities which 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 program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

LACM not only complies with the letter of Title IX’s requirements but also endorses the law’s intent and spirit. LACM is committed to compliance in all areas addressed by Title IX., including access to higher education, career education, learning environment, as well as sexual harassment. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that LACM’s policies are applied and interpreted in ways consistent with Title IX and other applicable law.

It is the policy of LACM to provide educational and preventative material regarding sexual or gender- based harassment; to encourage reporting of incidents; to prevent incidents of sexual and gender-based harassment; to make available timely services for those who have been affected by discrimination; and to provide prompt and equitable methods of investigation and resolution to stop discrimination, remedy any harm, and prevent its recurrence. Violations of this Policy may result in the imposition of sanctions up to, and including, termination, dismissal, or expulsion, as determined by the appropriate officials at LACM.

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LACM CONTACT

Susan Bowling
Student Support Services
& LACM Title IX Coordinator
titleixcoordinator@lacm.edu
626-568-8850 x211

PASADENA COMMUNITY

  1. National RAINN Hotline
    1.800.656.4673
  2. Pasadena Police
    626.744.4501
  3. Local 24 Hour Peace Over Violence Hotline
    626.793.3385
  4. Huntington Hospital
    100 W California Blvd, Pasadena CA
  5. National Suicide Hotline
    1.800.784.2433
  6. Los Angeles Police
    877.275.5273

Please dial 911 for emergencies.

9 Things To Know About Title IX

ONE

Title IX prohibits discrimination in education programs that receive federal funding (nearly all colleges & universities).

TWO

Sexual harassment and assault are types of discrimination Title IX bans.

THREE

Title IX applies to male, gender queer, and female students, faculty, and staff.

FOUR

Schools must have established procedures for handling complains of gender discrimination & sexual assault.

FIVE

Schools must take immediate action to ensure complainants continue their education free of ongoing harassment.

SIX

Schools must not retaliate against someone filing a complaint & must keep complainants safe from retaliations.

SEVEN

Schools can issue “no contact” directives to prevent accused abusers from interacting with victims.

EIGHT

Sexual harassment and assault create a hostile environment that interferes with students’ abilities to benefit from educational programs.

NINE

If your Title IX rights are violated, contact titleixcoordinator@lacm.edu to learn about your options.

More Title IX Information

Victims have the right to:

  • Report the assault to the local police at any time and request LACM staff to accompany you through the process.
  • Complete a sexual assault evidence kit at a hospital. (If possible, do not shower, brush your teeth, urinate, eat, drink, or change clothes to preserve evidence.)
  • File a report with the LACM Title IX Coordinator. This can be done privately without filing criminal charges with police.
  • Meet with the LACM Title IX Coordinator simply to gain additional information on resources available.
  • Seek confidential, free counseling from LACM Counseling Staff or local community resources listed below.
  • Obtain assistance from LACM staff for more information on resources available.
  • Know that LACM staff is obligated to report all instances of sexual violence to the Title IX Coordinator.
  • Request change of academic or living situations, LACM will make best faith effort to accommodate requests.

Los Angeles College of Music is committed to the education and support of all staff and students regarding any form of sexual violence.

  • Sexual Assault – A crime that occurs when sexual contact is nonconsensual.
  • Consent – Occurs when both parties have communicated a willingness to participate in a sexual act. Non-consent occurs when an individual says “NO” or “STOP.” is under the influence of alcohol, or suffers from a mental or physical disorder.
  • Rape Culture – A culture where rape is common, social attitudes normalize sexual violence, and responsibility is shifted from perpetrators to victims.
  • Policies – Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex and protects college students who wish to report sex discrimination to LACM including, but not limited to assault, violence, or harassment.

1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men are sexually assaulted in their lifetime in the US.

Nearly half of victims are assaulted by someone they know.

Female 46.7%
Male 44.9%

90% of sexual assaults involve alcohol.

More than half of assaults go unreported and most victims never tell anyone.

Sexual assault victims are 13 times more likely to commit suicide.

Sexual assaults occur once every 107 seconds in the Unites States.

98% of reported assaults are found to be accurate and 2% are found to be false accusations.

On average, one perpetrator commits up to 5.8 assaults.

90% of perpetrators will never spend time in jail for their crime.

4 out of 5 victims will suffer from physical and mental health issues including sexually transmitted diseases and depression.

The Role of Alcohol & Drugs California state law prohibits drinking under the age of 21 and Los Angeles College of Music prohibits alcohol or drugs at any campus facility or event. Alcohol is the most commonly used substance to perpetrate sexual assault.

  • Know how to drink safely to enjoy a safe night out.
  • Drink moderately and know your limit – about one drink per hour can be absorbed by the body regardless of size/weight.
  • Always have a sober driver.

Drugs are commonly placed into drinks to perpetrate sexual assault.

  1. Do not accept drinks from friends or strangers if you think it may have been tampered with.
  2. Do not leave drinks unattended as they may be tampered with while you are not looking.
  3. If you feel you have ingested a tampered drink, immediately seek help form someone you can trust, such as security, bartender, friend, or police.
  4. If you feel your drink has been tampered with or see someone tampering with a drink:
    • Be an active bystander – do not let anyone consume the tampered drink
    • At a bar – notify the bartender and call the police
    • At a party – notify the host and/or call the police
  5. Symptoms of sexual assault drugs – feeling intoxicated though not having consumed much alcohol, nausea, loss of bodily functions, difficulty breathing, dizziness, disorientation, blurred vision and rapid increase or decrease in
  1. Identify potential signs of sexual violence
    • Victim is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or is unresponsive.
    • Victim is being forced to do something or go somewhere against their will.
    • Victim is being abused verbally or physically.
    • Victim is being touched against their will.
  2. Determine if potential victim is at risk
    • Is an individual at risk of or currently being harassed, assaulted, or abused?
  3. Consider your safety before deciding how to intervene
    • Do not interrupt inappropriate behavior if you will be put in any form of danger.
  4. Call police
    • Simply calling the police can be the best action when someone needs help.
  5. If safe to do so, get help from friends or strangers to respond to the situation
    • Stop the bystander effect! Turn passive witnesses into active bystanders.
  6. Be non-confrontational
    • Never engage anyone physically and keep an appropriate distance.
  7. Speak clearly and be direct
    • Tell the perpetrator to stop their problematic behavior.
  8. Remove the victim, yourself and all other active bystanders from the situation
  9. Await police and follow their next steps

Stand Up – YOU have the potential to help a victim and stop a perpetrator from committing a crime.

Don’t Stand By – Victims may not be sober, responsive, or physically capable of stopping sexual violence on their own.

What is sexual consent?
Consent is a clear YES, not the absence of a NO.

Ongoing Consent – Consent to one sexual act does not give consent to other acts. Consent must be given every time!

Willing Consent – You and your partner should both be willing to participate! Look of resistance or silence does not mean consent.

Alcohol Free Consent – Sexual consent cannot be given by someone who is drunk, incapacitated, or unconscious.

  • 50% of college student sexual assault involves alcohol
  • 90% of those occur between people who know one another

Coercion-free Consent – Consent cannot be given under pressure, fear, or force!

Informed Consent – You and your partner should know all the risks, including any Sexually Transmitted Infections. (STIs)

STEP UP WHEN YOU SEE:

  • Someone is too drunk to make decisions.
  • Someone is being coerced into drinking too much or taking drugs.
  • Someone is about to pass out or is already unconscious or asleep.
  • A drug, tablet, or pill placed into your friend’s drink.
  • Someone is alone or being isolated from others at a party or bar.
  • Someone is being watched or followed by someone.
  • Someone is trying to ward off flirting from someone who won’t leave them alone.
  • Someone looks uncomfortable being hugged or touched by someone.

STEP UP WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU:

  • Their partner makes them engage in sexual acts against their will.
  • Their partner does not respect their choices to use condoms or other birth control methods.
  • Their partner threatens or blackmails them into sexual acts or sexual contact.