Terms to Know
While utilizing services with WellCat Safe Place, we encourage survivors to use terms and labels that feel most aligned to their story. We here at WellCat Safe Place understand that if a survivor is seeking support through the Title IX investigation process as well, it can feel overwhelming. Our hope is to provide as much information to further prepare individuals seeking that resource. Below are terms that a survivor might encounter, and the definitions based off the CSU Non-discrimination Policy
| Term | Policy Definition |
|---|---|
| Affirmative Consent | Consent must be voluntary, and given without coercion, force, threats, or intimidation. It is the responsibility of each person involved in the sexual activity to ensure Affirmative Consent has been obtained from the other participant(s) prior to engaging in the sexual activity. |
| Sexual Misconduct | All sexual activity between members of the CSU community must be based on Affirmative Consent. Engaging in any sexual activity without first obtaining Affirmative Consent to the specific activity is Sexual Misconduct, |
| Sexual Harassment | Unwelcome verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that includes, but is not limited to, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, offering employment benefits or giving preferential treatment in exchange for sexual favors, or indecent exposure, and any other conduct of a sexual nature |
| Sexual Exploitation | A person taking sexual advantage of another person for the benefit of anyone other than that person without that person's consent |
| Dating Violence / Domestic Violence | Domestic Violence means physical violence or threat of physical violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the Complainant, by a person with whom the Complainant shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the Complainant as a spouse or intimate partner, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the Complainant. |
| Stalking | Stalking means engaging in a Course of Conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the safety of self or others' safety or to suffer Substantial Emotional Distress. |
| Prohibited Consensual Relationship | A Prohibited Consensual Relationship is a consensual sexual or romantic relationship between an Employee and any Student or Employee over whom they exercise direct or otherwise significant academic, administrative, supervisory, evaluative, counseling, or extracurricular authority. |
| Sexual Assault Victim's Advocate | Employees or third-party professionals designated to support Complainants reporting Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, or Stalking. They must be certified and have received specialized training to provide options and assistance, including but not limited to the provision of information about available options in the Complaint, law enforcement, legal, and medical processes, and with emotional and decision-making support. Sexual Assault Victim's Advocates may serve as the Complainant's Support Advisor and assist in seeking services. They are committed to maintaining the highest possible level of confidentiality permissible under state and federal law in their communications with the persons they assist |
| Incapacitation | A person is incapacitated if the person lacks the physical and/or mental ability to make informed, rational decisions. A person with a medical or mental disability may also lack the capacity to give consent. |
| Complainant | Any person who is reported to have experienced a violation of this Nondiscrimination Policy in cases where some other person has made a report on that person's behalf. A Complainant may also be referred to as a Party to the Complaint. |
| Respondent | the CSU, a CSU Employee, a Student, or a Third Party who is alleged to have violated this Nondiscrimination Policy |