Harper College
Consumer Information

Training for Employees

The Title IX Coordinator(s), campus law enforcement, campus security, and anyone else involved in the receipt of reports of, responding to, investigating or adjudicating alleged incidents of sexual discrimination, harassment or other misconduct, or involved in the referral or provision of services to survivors receive annual education and training on primary prevention, bystander intervention, risk reduction, consent, reporting obligations, investigation procedures, confidentiality requirements, relevant College policies and procedures, retaliation, survivor-centered and trauma-informed response, relevant definitions, and other pertinent topics, such as:

  • Training or experience in handling sexual violence complaints
  • Training or experience in the operation of the school’s grievance procedures
  • Information on working with and interviewing persons subjected to sexual violence
  • Information on particular types of conduct that would constitute sexual violence, including: same-sex sexual violence
  • Information on consent and the possible role of drugs or alcohol in the ability to consent
  • The importance of accountability for persons found to have committed sexual violence
  • The need for remedial actions for the perpetrator, complainant, and school community
  • The effects of trauma, including neurobiological change
  • Cultural awareness training regarding how sexual violence may affect students differently,depending on their cultural backgrounds
  • How both trauma and defense mechanisms can play out in a hearing
  • Dispelling common misperceptions about sexual assault in society (e.g., “rape myths”) 

In addition to the above training, individuals who investigate or resolve complaints, including through informal resolutions, receive at least 8-10 hours of annual training on issues related to Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act offenses including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking; the scope of the College’s education program or activity; the Title IX and College definitions of sexual harassment; how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias; and how to conduct the College’s Grievance Process.  Decision-makers in particular receive training on any technology to be used at live hearings and on issues of relevance of questions and evidence, including when questions and evidence about the complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant.  Investigators in particular receive training on issues of relevance so as to enable them to create an investigative report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence.

All Confidential Advisors receive 40 hours of training on sexual violence before being designated a Confidential Advisor. Annually thereafter, Confidential Advisors attend a minimum of six (6) hours of ongoing educational training on issues related to sexual violence. Confidential Advisors also receive periodic training on the College administrative process, interim protective measures and accommodations, and the College’s Grievance Process.

The College, in conjunction with its Title IX Risk Management task force established pursuant to the Campus Security Enhancement Act of 2008 (110 ILCS 12/10), will annually review its training offerings to identify ways in which to enhance its effectiveness.

Any materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process, will not rely on sex stereotypes and will promote impartial investigations and adjudications of formal complaints of sexual harassment.

Resolution Process

Last Updated: 12/14/23