Annual Security Report

Guidelines for Assistance
If you are raped or sexually assaulted:

• Get to a safe place as soon as you can.
• Try to preserve all physical evidence. Do not wash, use the toilet, or change clothing if you can avoid it. If you do change clothes, put all clothing you were wearing at the time of the attack in a paper, not plastic, bag.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible to make sure you are physically well and to collect important evidence in the event you may later wish to take legal action.
• Contact the MVPD at extension 5555 immediately.
• Talk with a counselor who will maintain confidentially, help explain your options, give you information, and provide emotional support.
• Contact someone you trust to be with you and support you.

Past Abuse
Many individuals experience sexual assault and never tell anyone about it at the time of the incident. If you were victimized weeks or years ago, assistance is still available to you. Talking with someone now may help you cope better with abuse from the past, whether it was rape, child sexual abuse, incest, or sexual harassment.

Male Victims
While most victims of sexual assault are women, some men are also victims. Male victims at Moraine Valley receive the same services as women. Emotional support, options counseling, legal advocacy, and medical treatment are available to assist all those recovering from sexual assault.

Medical Treatment
It is important to seek immediate and follow-up medical attention for several reasons: first, to assess and treat any physical injuries you may have sustained; second, to determine the risk of sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy and take preventive measures; and third, to gather evidence that could aid criminal prosecution.

Physical evidence should be collected immediately, ideally within the first 24 hours. It may be collected later than this, but the quality and quantity of the evidence may be diminished.

• Immediate Emergency Services  
  A special exam should be conducted as soon as possible following an assault to make sure of your physical well being and to collect evidence that may be useful in criminal proceedings. Even if you have not been physically hurt, this special exam is strongly recommended to maintain all your legal options. The exam is performed by an emergency department physician or gynecologist. A nurse is present throughout the procedure, and a support person of your choice can also be present. Note: Ordinarily the police will be contacted by hospital personnel whenever they provide treatment for injuries resulting from a crime. If you seek treatment at a local hospital and the police are contacted, this does not mean that you have to proceed with criminal charges.
• Non-Emergency Medical Procedures  
  Even if you do not have evidence collected at the hospital, it is still important to get medical attention. An exam in this case should include treatment of any physical problems and various lab tests for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. This non-emergency treatment can be arranged with your family doctor.

Counseling and Emotional Support

• On Campus
  Moraine Valley Counseling Center (708) 974-5722
• Off Campus  
  Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline (888) 293-2080
  YW Care Hotline (708) 748-5672
  The CARE Center (708) 788-6759

Reporting to the Moraine Valley Police Department
This should be done immediately. The reasons for reporting to the MVPD are: 1) to take action which may prevent further victimization, including issuing a crime alert to warn the campus community of an impending threat to their safety; 2) to apprehend the assailant; 3) to seek justice for the wrong that has been done to you; and 4) to have the incident recorded for purposes of reporting statistics about incidents that occurred on campus. If you choose to report the incident, a MVPD police officer will take a statement from you regarding what happened. The officer will ask you to describe the assailant(s) and may ask questions about the scene of the crime, any witnesses, and what happened before and after the incident. You may have a support person with you during this interview.

NOTE: Reporting an incident is a separate step from choosing to prosecute. When you file a report, you are NOT obligated to continue with legal proceedings or college disciplinary action. Remember, you can choose whether or not to participate in proceedings at any time.

Confidential Reporting
If you are assaulted and do not want to pursue action with the college system or the criminal justice system, you may still want to consider making a confidential report. With your permission, the chief of police or a designee of MVPD can file a report on the details of the incident without revealing your identity. The purpose of a confidential report is to comply with your wish to keep the matter confidential, while taking steps to ensure the future safety of yourself and others. With such information, the college can keep an accurate record about the number of incidents involving students; determine where there is a pattern of assaults with regard to a particular location, method, or assailant; and alert the college community to potential danger.

College Disciplinary Action
If you have been sexually assaulted by another student or students and are considering taking action through the college, you are encouraged to discuss the matter with the Assistant Dean of Student Life and Judicial Affairs or his designee. This will allow you a chance to review the procedures should you decide to file a formal complaint through the college's disciplinary/judicial system. This discussion does not obligate you to pursue official action. If you decide to take part in the college adjudication process, you should contact the Assistant Dean of Student Life and Judicial Affairs. Charges may either be filed directly by you or by the college on the basis of your written statement. Such a charge would be handled in accordance with the procedures relating to violations of the college's Code of Student Conduct regulations. Assailants could be subject to disciplinary action pending review by the college judicial system. Those students found responsible for violating the code in this way could be suspended or expelled. Under the college's disciplinary procedures, both the accuser and the accused are entitled to have an advisor or support person present during the hearing. Students who allege sexual assault by another student may request a change in their academic situation on campus after the alleged incident takes place if such changes are reasonably available. Finally, in accordance with federal regulations, both the accuser and the accused will be informed of the outcome of any campus disciplinary proceedings alleging sexual assault.

Criminal Investigation and Charges
Depending on the timing of your report and preference, it may be possible for you to make a statement in the presence of the MVPD police officer and the local police at the same time. Be advised that questioning can be difficult. Remember, you may request that a support person be with you during the police interview. If it is possible for the assailant to be apprehended, the suspect will be taken by police before the local judge and charged with the appropriate offense(s) at a preliminary arraignment. You do not need to be present for this proceeding. The assailant may be jailed or released on bail depending on the circumstances of the crime. One of the conditions of bail is usually that the suspect not try to contact you. If you are contacted by the suspect or feel threatened in any way, you should immediately call the MVPD or the local police. Bail can be revoked, and additional charges can be filed if necessary. The prosecutor or deputy prosecutor will represent you without cost throughout the criminal proceedings. You may also speak with an attorney of your choice.

Resources

• MVPD on-campus emergency (24 hrs.) Ext. 5555
• Palos Hills Police Department (24 hrs.) 911 or (708) 598-2992
• North Palos Fire Protection District (708) 974-4474
• Palos Community Hospital (708) 923-4000
• Legal Information—State's Attorney Office (708) 974-6250
• Emotional Support—Moraine Valley Counseling Center (708) 974-5722
• Support Services (708) 974-5441

VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Moraine Valley Community College has a zero-tolerance policy for violent and aggressive behavior on campus. As stated in the colleges Guidebook for Addressing Disruptive Student Behavior: 'Sometimes students act in a way that can be annoying, disruptive or even threatening." It is the goal of the Moraine Valley Police Department as well as the college judicial system to maintain a safe and secure environment at all times so that students can have the best possible opportunity to be successful. Students who become violent or aggressive on campus are subject to criminal arrest as well as disciplinary action from office of the Asst. Dean of Student Life and Judicial Affairs. Faculty and staff who may encounter this type of behavior should follow the referral process for disruptive students as outlined in the aforementioned guide book. Additional information for students regarding behavioral issues on campus can be found in the Code of Student Conduct which is available online and at the Student Life Office located in Building U. If you should encounter someone on campus acting in a threatening manner, call the MVPD immediately at (708) 974-5555 or extension 5555 on campus.

Threat Assessment Team
Moraine Valley Community College has in place a Threat Assessment Team for the purpose of intervening with individuals who have the potential to become violent before they actually act out in a manner that could threaten the campus community. When a student is determined to be potentially dangerous or threatening, the incident is reported directly to the MVPD or Judicial Affairs and the Threat Assessment Team is activated which then formulates and proceeds with a student intervention action plan. The Threat Assessment Team is chaired by the Dean of Judicial Affairs and is made up of members from various campus departments including; Police Department, Counseling, Disability Services, Judicial Affairs, Human Resources and faculty representatives.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND EVACUATION PROCEDURES
It is the policy of Moraine Valley Community College to keep students, Staff and the Moraine Valley Community informed during those instances that represent a threat or a perceived threat to the campus.

During Emergencies on the Campus, the Crisis Communication Team will coordinate with the Police department to formulate emergency direction and communications. During emergencies the team will:

• Via Public Address system, Cell and Text messages, e-mail, Campus sign Boards, and College Web Page give full information and direction to those students and staff that may be affected.
• This information will be made immediately available to the college community as developments occur. The Police Department will give regular updates, via the Public Address system on evacuation information or other relevant emergency responses; unless the announcement would impact or jeopardize public safety or emergency operations; in those cases information will be made available as soon as possible.
• In those instances where the community will be impacted, the Crisis Communication Team will formulate press releases and web page updates as needed.
• There will be monthly testing of the emergency notification system and regular training for dispatch staff at the police department. The college will conduct an annual emergency evacuation drill complying with the requirements of the Campus Safety Enhancement act.
• It is the policy of the college to 'shelter in place" during emergencies. Evacuations of buildings will be directed by the Police Department as needed. Public Address systems will be used to assist with building evacuations and informational updates during this process.
• The Crisis Communication Team will be made up of the following members:
  The Vice President for Institutional Advancement
  Director of College and Community Relations and Staff Development
  Director of Marketing and Publications Services

HOMELAND SECURITY

Heightened State of Alert
A heightened state of alert is a mindset that leads you to notice unusual or suspicious behavior/circumstances and reporting your observations to authorities in a logical, rational and timely manner. A heightened state of alert is not intended to induce fear and panic. People should go about their normal business while paying particular attention to their surroundings.

Homeland Security Advisory System
The following alert codes have been established by the Department of Homeland Security as a method of alerting the public of potential terrorist attacks:

Suspicious Behavior/Circumstances:
Be aware of and report to the Moraine Valley Police Department:

• People in and around buildings who do not appear to be conducting legitimate business.
• People monitoring areas, buildings or entrances.
• Unauthorized people in restricted, sensitive or private areas.
• People requesting information with no apparent need for that information.
• People wearing clothing not consistent with the weather conditions.
• Abandoned parcels or other suspicious items left in unusual locations.
• Individuals or groups of individuals attempting to access utility locations (water, electrical, petroleum, telecommunications, information systems).
• Abandoned vehicles.
• Vehicles parked near buildings or public areas.
• Unexpected/Unfamiliar delivery trucks.
• Unfamiliar vehicles parked for long periods of time.
• Vehicles containing unusual or suspicious parcels or materials.
• Vehicles arriving and being left behind at odd hours.
• Substances leaking or spilling from vehicles.

Building/Office Security:

• Don't prop open building doors or windows. Correct these situations when you observe them.
• Account for and secure your keys. Don't leave them unattended or give to unauthorized persons. Report lost keys to the Police Department.
• Account for and secure all sensitive material/information/deliveries when not able to attend to it.
• Secure all areas when not attended.
• Be aware of unfamiliar persons in your area.
• Protect access codes, combinations and swipe cards. Change codes regularly.
• Take time out to familiarize yourself with building evacuation routes.
• Report suspicious tampering with physical security (doors, locks. etc.)
• Talk with co-workers; know what is out-of-place (unclaimed items, etc.)

For more information about Homeland Security and planning to protect yourself, visit the Following Web sites:

www.ready.gov
www.ready.illinois.gov
www.dhs.gov/dhspublic

SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRIME STATISTICS REPORTED BY THE MVPD

• 'Reported to MVPD" includes crime statistics from incidents that were reported to MVPD. If an incident was reported to MVPD and the Palos Hills PD, the statistics would be counted under the 'reported to MVPD" column.
• "Reported to Palos Hills PD" includes crime statistics from incidents that were reported to Palos Hills and were NOT reported to MVPD. These incidents could have occurred in on-campus property, in non-campus property or on public property, as defined in the appendix.
• "Reported to Non-Police" includes crime statistics reported to officials in the institution who have significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, college administrators, deans, advisors, counselors, athletic coaches, etc.
  NOTE: Federal law requires institutions to break down the number of "on campus" crimes that occur in residential facilities, but since MVCC does not have any residential facilities, there is no column for residential statistics.

The statistics in the Hate Crime chart are separated by category of prejudice, but the numbers for each specific crime category are part of the overall statistics reported for each year. The only exception to this is the addition of Simple Assault to the Hate Crime chart. If a hate crime occurs where there is bodily injury, the law requires that the statistic be reported as a hate crime even though there is no requirement to report the crime classification in any other area of the compliance document.

Statistics under the heading of "Referred for Disciplinary Action" includes individuals referred to the Assistant Dean of Student Life and Judicial Affairs. The numbers include referrals that are made via MVPD police reports and reports provided directly to the Assistant Dean of Student Life and Judicial Affairs from other members of the Moraine Valley Community College community.