Sexual Violence/Harassment
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in an educational institution. It applies in all aspects of education, including academic programs, financial assistance, athletics, and more.
The sex discrimination prohibition includes sexual harassment and sexual violence. It states, in part: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. 20 U.S.C. § 1681.
This page provides information and resources regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. It also contains contact information for people who can assist in the unlikely event that you should experience or observe this on a Ridgewater College campus.
Reporting Sexual Violence/Harassment
If you have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment on a Ridgewater campus or involving Ridgewater College, call 911 for emergencies or to start a possible criminal investigation through local law enforcement.
To start an investigation through the College, please contact any of the contacts listed on this page or use Campus Eye, a tool for online and mobile reporting of sexual assault. You may submit a report through the online reporting form, Campus Eye iOS app, or Campus Eye Android app to report from a phone. Use Ridgewater code KD6H.
Individuals may report incidents of sexual violence anonymously or with their name. Anonymous reports may not initiate a college investigation.
Ridgewater Student Contact
Jay Morrison
Title IX Coordinator
A119 – Willmar Campus
jay.morrison@ridgewater.edu
320-222-8040
Ridgewater Employee Contact
Keith Balaski
Chief Human Resources Officer
H125 – Willmar Campus
keith.balaski@ridgewater.edu
320-222-5211
Sexual Violence
According to The Center for Changing Our Campus Culture, one in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted in college.
Things we wish everybody knew*:
- Sexual assault happens.
- Offenders are often “regular guys.”
- Most rape or sexual assault victims (78 percent) knew the offender.
- False reports are not common (between 2 and 7 percent).
- Alcohol will more likely than not be involved.
- Victims may not call it rape.
- Trauma responses vary.
- There is no typical victim.
*Adapted from Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MnCASA), Sexual Violence Justice Institute, Understanding the Dynamics of Sexual Assault on Campus, and The Center for Changing Our Campus Culture.
Ridgewater College Sexual Violence Policy
Ridgewater is committed to maintaining a campus community free from sexual violence. The College acknowledges and adheres to the definitions and processes described in Minnesota State Policy 1B.3 Sexual Violence Policy. The related Minnesota State Procedure 1B.3.1 Response to Sexual Violence applies to all Ridgewater students and employees and to others, as appropriate, where alleged incidents of sexual violence have occurred on Ridgewater College property.
Allegations of discrimination or harassment are governed by Minnesota State Policy 1B.1.
View Ridgewater College Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures (PDF)
Sexual Violence Awareness Training
Ridgewater College, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Minnesota State), and the U.S. Government take the issues of sexual violence and sexual harassment very seriously. On March 7, 2013, President Obama signed into law the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA). This new law requires that colleges and universities provide students and staff with sexual violence awareness training. This training is available on the Ridgewater Desire to Learn page.
Ridgewater also uses the It’s On Us campaign to promote awareness and stop sexual violence. It’s On Us is a cultural movement aimed at fundamentally shifting the way we think and talk about sexual assault.
Sexual Violence Definitions
What is sexual violence?
Sexual violence is, as defined by Ridgewater College and Minnesota State, “a continuum of conduct that includes sexual assault, non-forcible sex acts, dating and relationship violence, stalking, as well as aiding acts of sexual violence.”
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault includes a number of sexual acts or attempted acts committed without consent. It also includes acts that don’t require touching, such as indecent exposure and voyeurism.
What is consent?
Consent is informed, freely given and mutually understood. Among other things, there is no consent if physical force is used or if the victim is coerced, intimidated, or threatened. Likewise, there is no consent if the victim is mentally or physically incapacitated or impaired (including impairment due to alcohol, drugs, sleep, or unconsciousness). This very British video uses a cup of tea to effectively explain consent. You can also learn more about consent within the Minnesota State Policy 1B.3 Sexual Violence Policy.
Discrimination/Harassment
Ridgewater College is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and education opportunity. No person shall be discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment, personnel practices, or access to and participation in, programs, services, and activities with regard to race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. In addition, discrimination in employment based on membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law is prohibited.
Harassment on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression is prohibited. Harassment may occur in a variety of relationships, including faculty and student, supervisor and employee, student and student, staff and student, employee and employee, and other relationships with persons having business at, or visiting the educational or working environment.
What Kind of Conduct Is Covered by the Policy?
This policy is directed at verbal or physical conduct that constitutes discrimination/harassment under state and federal law and is not directed at the content of speech. In cases in which verbal statements and other forms of expression are involved, Ridgewater College will give due consideration to an individual’s constitutionally protected right to free speech and academic freedom; however, discrimination and harassment are not within the protections of academic freedom or free speech.
Ridgewater College shall maintain and encourage full freedom – within the law – of expression, inquiry, teaching, and research. Academic freedom comes with a responsibility that all members of our education community benefit from it without intimidation, exploitation, or coercion.
To whom do the policies apply?
These policies apply to all individuals affiliated with Ridgewater College, including, but not limited to:
- Students
- Employees
- Applicants
- Volunteers
- Agents
- Board of trustees
Retaliation
Ridgewater College and Minnesota State policy prohibit retaliation against anyone filing a complaint or participating in a complaint investigation. Individuals who violate this policy shall be subject to disciplinary or other corrective action. Read the full Minnesota State equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policy.
Contacts and Resources
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you may contact counseling and schedule a confidential appointment at 320-222-5971.
Additionally, you may contact the resources listed below. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list and appearance on the list does not indicate a recommendation by Ridgewater College.
Web Resources:
- Know Your IX is a survivor- and youth-led project that empowers students to end sexual and dating violence in their schools.
- 1in6 is a campaign to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences live healthier, happier lives.
- Start by Believing is a global campaign transforming the way we respond to sexual assault.
Ridgewater College Counselors
Hutchinson Campus
Lisa Wagoner
Office #112 – Student Services
320-234-8508
lisa.wagoner@ridgewater.edu
Willmar Campus
Dawn Bjork-Pedersen
Office #A118 – Student Services
320-222-5981
dawn.bjork@ridgewater.edu
State Employee Assistance Program: 651-259-3840 or 1-800-657-3719
Community Assistance
Hutchinson
- Hutchinson Community Hospital
1095 Highway 15 South, Hutchinson, MN 55350
320-234-4600 - Hutchinson Police Department
320-587-2242 (non-emergency calls)
911 for emergencies - Safe Avenues – McLeod
PO Box 565, Hutchinson, MN 55350
Business Phone: 320-587-7981
24-Hour Toll-Free Crisis Phone: 1-800-792-4210 - Hutchinson Health Mental Health Clinic
1071 Hwy 15 S (Plaza 15), Hutchinson, MN 55350
320-484-4610 (appointments)
320-484-4585 (24-hour crisis)
Willmar
- Rice Memorial Hospital
301 Becker Avenue SW, Willmar, MN 56201
320-235-4543 - Willmar Police Department
320-235-2244 (non-emergency calls)
911 for emergencies - Safe Avenues – Kandiyohi County
PO Box 568, Willmar, MN 56201
Business Phone: 320-235-0962
24-Hour Toll-Free Crisis Phone: 1-800-792-4210 - Rice Institute
301 Becker Ave SW, Willmar, MN 56201
320-231-4399 (appointments) - Woodland Centers
1125 6th SE, Willmar, MN 56201
320-235-4613 (appointments)
800-992-1716 (24-hour crisis)
State/National Assistance
- Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault
651-209-9993
Toll-Free: 1-800-964-8847 - National Sexual Violence Resource Center[]
717-909-0710
Toll-Free: 1-877-739-3895
Reports
Campus Crime and Security Reports (PDF)
