Domestic Violence & Stalking Policy
It is the policy of North Country Community College that domestic violence / intimate partner violence and stalking will not be tolerated. The college will support and assist victims in attaining support. Furthermore, the college will hold perpetrators accountable for their actions through the campus judicial process and law enforcement as appropriate.
Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Violence can be defined as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.
Definitions of Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Violence
Hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair-pulling, etc. Physical abuse also includes denying a partner medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drugs use.
Coercing, or attempting to coerce, any sexual contact or behavior without consent. Sexual abuse includes, but is certainly not limited to, marital rape, attacks on sexual parts of the body, forcing sex after physical violence has occurred, or treating one in a sexually demeaning manner.
Undermining an individual's sense of self-worth and/or self esteem. This may include, but is not limited to, constant criticism, diminishing one's abilities, name-calling, or damaging one's relationship with his or her children.
Making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over finances, withholding one's access to money, or forbidding one's attendance at school or employment.
Definition of Stalking
According to the United States Department of Justice, stalking can be defined as a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear, such as:
- making unwanted phone calls
- sending unsolicited or unwanted letters or e-mails
- following or spying on the victim
- showing up at a place where one had no reason to be
- waiting at places for the victim
- leaving unwanted items, presents, or flowers
- posting information or spreading rumors about the victim on the internet, in a public place, or by word of mouth
Campus Procedures for Reporting and Responding
Reports of domestic violence or stalking on campus will be taken very seriously and will be reported to the Dean of Student Life. Students who have alleged to engage in domestic violence and/or stalking will be subject to judicial action and risk of serious consequences, which may include dismissal from the college. If a victim chooses to pursue criminal charges, they must file a report with the municipal police department that has jurisdiction over the matter. The Student Life Office can assist individuals in contacting law enforcement agencies when filing these reports.
- Office of Student Life, 518-891-2915, extension 1205
- Human Resources Office, 518-891-2915, extension 1209
- Residence Life & Housing, 518-891-2915, extension 4400
- Stop Domestic Violence 24 Hour Toll-free Hotline 1-888-563-6904
- NY State Hotline for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence 1-800-942-6906
- Saranac Lake Police Department 518-891-4428 OR 518-891-4422
- Malone Police Department 518-483-2424
- Ticonderoga Police Department 518-585-3456