New Title IX Coordinator Caputo Explains Title IX Policies and Plans to Provide Title IX Training for Faculty, Staff, and Students
At a recent Faculty Senate meeting, faculty senators expressed confusion regarding Title IX policies, when to report sexual misconduct, and how to report sexual misconduct.
Emily Caputo, who graduated Frostburg State University with a double major degree in Psychology and Justice Studies, is the university’s new Title IX compliance coordinator, and she is shedding light on these policies.
“I didn’t know people were confused until I attended the faculty meeting,” said Caputo. “One reason I believe faculty members are confused is because they don’t want to report sexual misconduct. It’s an uncomfortable situation, but we shouldn’t tell students not to report it. We should help students,” Caputo explained.
Some professors feel that they are re-victimizing students when they disclose personal information, which is why they often choose to remain silent. “Sexual assault is traumatic. It takes a lot of courage to say ‘hey, I was sexually assaulted.’ Anonymous reporting would be great, but information would be very limited,’” Caputo stated.
According to the University System of Maryland’s policy, all Maryland educational institutional facilities must commit to creating an environment free of sexual discrimination, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, sexual violence, and sexual exploitation.
For privacy reasons, some individuals choose to remain silent; however, if staff, or faculty members are notified of such acts by students, they are to report incidents to the Office of Student and Educational Services promptly. It is up to the complainant or victim to pursue criminal charges.
“We can’t change the law. We can’t change that. Abuse must be reported,” Caputo said.
All syllabi should include the actions professors must take if or when students mention any form of child abuse or neglect in any course. The incidents must be reported whether it occurred during childhood or as an adult. The disclosure of any abuse will be reported to authorities and handled from there.
In the future, Caputo plans to organize events to enlighten those who may be confused or even afraid to confront sexual misconducts that may have taken place. “If we’re doing a good job in training students to be active bystanders when they witness sexual misconduct, we’re going to receive more reports,” she stated.
She also plans to create an online feature where students, staff, and faculty can report sexual misconduct. “We’re a technologically focused society. We should be creating a culture to report sexual misconduct,” she said
If victims of domestic or sexual abuse are uncomfortable with speaking directly to Caputo or any other Title IX officials, several other options are available such as: FSU Office of student and Educational services; FSU Brady Health Center, and FSU Counseling and Psychological Services. All of these services are provided on-campus for those in need of emotional and psychological support.
If any student has experienced any form of child abuse, rape, or sexual harassment, Emily Caputo should be contacted immediately. Her office is located in Hitchins on the second floor, room 229.
“The one thing I want students to understand is that they can report to me,” she said. “Students don’t always think that their reports will be taken seriously, but they will.”
Title IX is a federal law that was enacted in 1972; its focus is sexual discrimination, which prohibits discrimination of all genders at any federally funded educational institution.
For more information on how to report sexual misconduct, visit the following links: http://www.frostburg.edu/fsu/assets/File/gbv/Sexual%20Assault%20Bro_WEB.pdf
http://www.frostburg.edu/home/news/university-news-portal/preventing-sexual-assault/
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