Gender Equity Education Q & A
Definition High Risk Prevention Report Solution
Q: What is sexual harassment?
Basically, there are four important indicators for the behaviors of sexual harassment, that is, unwelcomed, involuntary, sexuality-related hints, and feelings of unpleasant. More specifically, according to Preventing Sexual Harassment (BNA Communications, Inc.) 1992 manual, said “Unwelcome Behavior is the critical word. Unwelcome does not mean involuntary. A victim may consent or agree to certain conduct and actively participate in it even though it is offensive and objectionable. Therefore, sexual conduct is unwelcome whenever the person subjected to it considers it unwelcome. Whether the person in fact welcomed a request for a date, sex-oriented comment, or joke depends on all the circumstances.” However, for more detailed information, please refer to the Gender Equity Education Committee.
Q: What is sexual assault?
According to the stipulation of paragraph 1 of article 2 of Crime Prevention Law of Sexual Assault, article 221 of criminal law, and paragraph 5 of article 10 of criminal law, anyone who resorts to coercion, threat, intimidation, hypnosis, or other measures that are against his/her will, whether male and female, and conducts any of the following acts:
1. Using sexual organ to penetrate into the sexual organ, anus, or oral cavity, or to carry out acts of intercourse.
1. Using sexual organ to penetrate into the sexual organ, anus, or oral cavity, or to carry out acts of intercourse.
2. Using any parts of the body other than sexual organ or objects to penetrate into sexual organ, anus, or carry out acts of intercourse.
Q: If your ex-boy/girlfriend still tries to interact with you in an intimate manner, is he/she a harasser?
He/she will be a harasser if he/she commits behaviors that violate your will or make you feel uncomfortable (such as kissing, hugging, or even spreading your pictures, etc.).
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Q: Who will be a sexual harasser?
There are no obvious characters of outside appearance or behaviors for a perpetrator, however, males are statistically prone to be a perpetrator of sexual harassment/assault.
Q: What kind of population is easier to get involved in sexual harassment/assault than other?
There are no apparent characters of outside appearance or behaviors for a victim, however, females are statistically prone to be victims of sexual harassment/assault.
Q: What are common episodes of sexual harassment on the campus?
Verbal aspect: A person makes sexual-related comments that cause another person to have feelings of uncomfortable and offensive. Be aware! Degrading comments related to homosexuality are also included as sexual harassment.
Behavioral aspect: Videotaping without consent, peeking, touching private parts (such as buttocks, chest, etc.), spreading pictures, messages, or emails contained sexual-related images or information.
Q: Where will be the places on the campus that sexual harassment/assault frequently occurs?
Places without surveillance cameras, lighting facility or student activities are at high risk for occurrence of sexual harassment/assault, such as empty classrooms, restrooms located in the remote area, or pathways without lighting facility. Please be aware of places like those, and report to General Affairs Office as soon as possible. General Affairs Office will fix the infrastructure and increase the frequency of patrol.
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Q: What should I do to avoid sexual harassment/assault on the campus?
Office on Women’s Health has suggested certain things that you can do to reduce your chances of being sexually assaulted.
1. Be aware of your surroundings — who’s out there and what’s going on.
2. Walk with confidence. The more confident you look, the stronger you appear.
3. Know your limits when it comes to using alcohol.
4. Be assertive — don’t let anyone violate your space.
5. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave.
6. Don’t prop open self-locking doors.
7. Lock your door and your windows, even if you leave for just a few minutes.
8. Watch your keys. Don’t lend them. Don’t leave them. Don’t lose them. And don’t put your name and address on the key ring.
9. Watch out for unwanted visitors. Know who’s on the other side of the door before you open it.
10. Be wary of isolated spots, like underground garages, offices after business hours, and apartment laundry rooms.
11. Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route. Stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas.
12. Have your key ready to use before you reach the door — home, car, or work.
13. Park in well-lit areas and lock the car, even if you’ll only be gone a few minutes.
However, if it is unfortunate that you encountered an episode of sexual harassment/assault, you can seek help from the following three institutes:
University authority
1. NDHU emergency number: (03)8632995 or 0937295995.
2. Gender Equity Education Committee of NDHU
Social welfare authority
1. National women and children protection hotline (113).
2. Center of prevention against domestic violence and sexual assault in each county (city) in order to provide timely and comprehensive assistance
Police authority one can go to any police station in any city or county so as to crack down on the case as early as possible
Medical authority One can go to a neighboring hospital for injury examination and medical treatment, as well as to conduct periodical checks on physiological conditions
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Q: Who is responsible for reporting an episode of sexual harassment/assault o the campus?
The victim of sexual harassment/assault could report to any authorities (Gender Equity Education Committee of NDHU, police station, etc.). However, victim’s teachers or friends, and/or persons who know can report the case if victim has his/her personal concerns.
Q: Which office on the campus should I report an episode of sexual harassment/assault to?
When you encounter a sexual harassment/assault, you can report to any staff who you can trust (your supervisor, profession, assistant) or office on the campus (Gender Equity Education Committee, Student Affairs Office) by means of emails, writings or face-to-face report. Please remember that you must keep a copy of any documentation for yourself, and provide your contact information for further process.
Q: Where I should report if I am aware of that someone has experienced of sexual harassment/assault from online information?
You can print out the online information you saw, and give them to Student Assistance Section, Gender Equity Education Committee or other authorities. Gender Equity Education Committee will further process the case based on your information.
Q: NDHU won’t intervene if I report an episode of sexual harassment/assault to the Center of Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assualt?
No!
According to the article 30 of the Gender Equity Education Act, said “The Gender Equity Education Committee shall not be affected by the judicial procedures of the case in its investigation and handling of a case.” In some cases, the perpetrator is not the student or staff of the NDHU, thus the Gender Equity Education Committee of the NDHU has no legal rights to investigate the perpetrator. However, Gender Equity Education Committee of the NDHU will provide the victim with appropriate counseling and/or legal services.
Q: What kind of materials I need when I report?
You can prepare all kinds of materials in paper, tape or video recording, or online information (such as emails, pictures, etc.).
Q: Isn’t a shame being the victim of sexual harassment/assault? Is it necessary to report? What if everyone knows whom the victim is?
It is a shame for person who committed sexual harassment/assault. In terms of reporting, it is a responsible action that not only prevents you from getting harm again, but also keeps perpetrator from harming other people.
Equal Rights Advocates, Inc. (2011) indicated what you can do while encountering a sexual harassment, please read as follows.
When you are deciding what to do, remember that every situation is different. There is no one best thing to do. You should always report the sexual harassment/assault to the Gender Equity Education Committee at NDHU. You then have the option to use your university’s sexual harassment complaint process, and follow up the development of your file.
Say “No” Clearly
Tell the person that his/her behavior offends you. Firmly refuse all invitations. If the harassment doesn’t end promptly, write a letter asking the harasser to stop and keep a copy.
Write Down What Happened
As soon as you experience the sexual harassment, start writing it down. Write down dates, places, times, and possible witnesses to what happened. If possible, ask your co-workers to write down what they saw or heard, especially if the same thing is happening to them. Remember that others may (and probably will) read this written record at some point. It is a good idea to keep the record at home or in some other safe place. Do not keep the record at work.
Report the Harassment
Tell your supervisor (professor), and/or your department administrative assistant who has the power to stop the harassment. If possible, tell them in writing. Keep a copy of any written complaint you make. It is very important that you report the harassment because your supervisor (professor) must know or have reason to know about the harassment in order to provide you any necessary assistance.
Start a Paper Trail
When you report the sexual harassment to your supervisor (professor), or Gender Equity Education Committee, do it in writing if possible. Describe the problem and how you want it fixed. This creates a written record of when you complained and what happened in response to it. Keep copies of everything you send and receive from your supervisor (professor), or Gender Equity Education Committee.
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Q: What is the investigation of Gender Equity Education Committee? What do they do in order to investigate a case?
The Gender Equity Education Committee will assign three investigators who are professional of relative filed. The official process of investigation is as follows:
1. They will interview the victim first, and then the possible perpetrator.
2. Secondly, they will interview the witness if necessary.
3. They won’t arrange the face-to-face meeting for the possible perpetrator and victim.
4. They will be recording the discussion during every interviews, and organize them as verbatim scripts.
5. They will ask the possible perpetrator and victim to confirm with the contents (verbatim scripts) of their individual interviews, and sign upon the scripts.
6. Finally, three investigators will come to a consensus regarding to the case, and report the consensus to the Gender Equity Education Committee.
7. The Gender Equity Education Committee will make ultimate decision.
Q: If I am not sure who is the harasser, can I still ask for help?
Don’t worry, even though you are not sure whom is the harasser, the Gender Equity Education Committee of the NDHU will provide you with immediate and appropriate assistance, such as counseling service for soothing your feelings of anxiety and scare, and legal service for any questions related to the process.
Q: What if the harasser were a person who is not a student or staff of the NDHU?
If the perpetrator were the student or staff of another university, the Gender Equity Education Committee of the NDHU will contact with the Committee at perpetrator’s university in order to investigate the case simultaneously. If the perpetrator were not student or staff, the victim could report the case to authority (social welfare, police, and medical authority), and the Gender Equity Education Committee of the NDHU could provide immediate counseling and legal services. Remember, power to prosecute the event of sexual assault on law is six months. During these six months, the victim can provide any information regarding to the case, and legal authority will process in an appropriate manner.
Q: What will NDHU process the case if the harasser has already transferred or been suspended?
If the perpetrator transferred to another university, according to the article 27 of the Gender Equity Education Act, said “When the aforesaid offender transfers to another school for studies or employment, the former competent authority and the school where the offender worked or studied shall notify the new school where the offender works or studies within one month from the date of knowing such transfer. The notified school shall keep track of the offender and provide counseling where necessary. The school shall not reveal the offender’s name or other information that may lead to his or her identification without legitimate reason.”
If the perpetrator were suspended, the Gender Equity Education Committee will investigate the case based on perpetrator’s status while committing the crime.
If the perpetrator graduated, the Gender Equity Education Committee will provide the victim with legal service in order to evaluate the possibility of reporting the case to police authority, and provide support if necessary.
Q: Will the Gender Equity Education Committee inform persons who were involved in the case?
Yes!
When decisions were made, the Gender Equity Education Committee will notify the persons who involved in the case with an official documentation.