Behavioral Intervention Guidelines

Genuine ~ Caring ~ Respectful

Sexual assault includes any kind of unwanted sexual behavior. Sexual assault does not provide sexual pleasure to the victim. Instead, it is an aggressive act in which one person exerts power over another. Rape or attempted rape constitutes an enormous loss of control over life. It is not an event that can be ignored or forgotten. Shock, guilt, confusion, anger, fear, helplessness, and depression are common responses to rape. A student may have difficulty concentrating on lectures. She/he may withdraw from class discussion and interaction with peers or may cease coming to class entirely. Some students may experience flashback experiences while in class.

DO:

• Assess whether the student has received medical attention (i.e., injuries, internal bleeding, pregnancy, and STDs are possible).
• If medical attention is needed, refer the student to the Emergency Room at San Juan Hospital, the student’s personal physician, or call 911.
• It is important to connect with Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico within 5 days of a rape. (325-2805 or 326-4700 Hotline)
• If the student goes for medical attention or reports to the police, encourage her/him to have an advocate/support person accompany her/him.
• The support person could be you, a friend, a roommate, someone from the Counseling Center staff, or someone from Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico.
• Encourage the victim to contact Public Safety (3333). Reporting the assault does not require that charges be filed.

If there is no immediate medical need, focus on the victim’s emotional needs:

• Ask how you can be most helpful.
• Listen to and believe the person.
• Self-blame is common. Help the person to see that no behavior on her/his part deserves the response of rape.
• Encourage the person to get counseling immediately. Counseling can help the person deal with her/his reaction to the rape and to feel positive about herself/himself again.
• If there has been another contact from the perpetrator or a friend of the perpetrator (by phone or in person), encourage the victim to contact Public Safety (3333) or the Advising and Counseling Center (3526).
• Occasionally the perpetrator is in the victim’s class. If this is the case, the victim may need to make arrangements to meet independently with you for class credit, to change classes, etc. The victim may not be comfortable identifying the perpetrator to you. Thus, it may be helpful to ask her/him if the perpetrator is in the same class, while giving assurance that this person does not have to be identified

DON’T:

• “Take control”, since the victim already feels a great loss of control.
• Believe rape myths (e.g., she/he was asking to be raped if he/she wore particular clothes, went to the perpetrator’s room, was drinking, walked home alone). This can result in blaming the victim.
• Let your own feelings about the perpetrator override those of the victim. If you get too angry or make threats against the perpetrator, the victim may not share further feelings in an attempt to keep you from getting into trouble.
• If you know the perpetrator and you state that it is difficult for you to believe that such a person would be a rapist, you may communicate disbelief to the victim.
   

DO:

• Explain clearly and directly what behaviors are acceptable (e.g., “You certainly have the right to be angry, but hitting or throwing things is not O.K.”).
• Stay in an open, public area.
• Request necessary help from Public Safety (3333) and/or the Advising & Counseling Center (3404). You can tell someone else to call if you feel it would be unwise to leave the student.
• Keep yourself safe.
• When all else fails, divert attention (e.g., “If you hit me, I can’t be of help”).
• Remember that student discipline is implemented by the Vice President of Student Services.

DON’T:

• Ignore warning signs that the person is about to explode (e.g., yelling, screaming, clenched fists, statements like, “You’re leaving me no choice.”
• Threaten, dare, taunt, or “push into a corner.”
• Touch.
• Block the door.
• Over-commit yourself and, therefore, not be able to deliver on what you promise.
• Ignore your limitations (instead, seek assistance).
• Agree to be bound by confidentiality.

DO:

• Let the student know you are aware he appears to be feeling down and that you would like to help.
• Encourage the student to express how she is feeling.
• Express your own concerns using specific examples: “I was concerned when you did not show up for the test / did not turn in your assignment / etc”.
• Ask directly if you suspect suicidal thinking. If someone says or indicates he might hurt himself, ask a few more simple questions. It’s okay to be blunt:
  
  • Are you thinking of hurting yourself?
  • Are you thinking of killing yourself?
  • Have you thought of how you would do that?
  • When were you thinking of doing that?
• Refer the student to the Advising and Counseling Center (ACC) by:
  
  • Walking her over to the ACC.
  • Calling the ACC (3526) to come and escort the student.
  • Calling Public Safety (3333) to escort the student to ACC.

DON’T:

• Say, “Don’t worry”, “Crying won’t help”, or “It will be better tomorrow”, etc.
• Be afraid to ask whether the student is suicidal if you think that is a possibility.
  Refer to the above questions.

The experience of domestic violence – whether it is physical, sexual, verbal or psychological abuse – is an extremely difficult and personally challenging time. The student possibly feels very alone and frightened. She or he has come to you because there is some level of trust. You can help the student to feel not so alone, as well as provide some guidance on what to do next. If a student does not approach you with the information, but you suspect that there is domestic violence or similar trauma, you can address the situation by requesting to meet with the student for a few minutes either before or after class.

The most important thing for you to do is be a caring person who listens and asks a few normal, simple questions that might be asked by any one who is willing to help a person in need. Questions such as:

• What’s the matter?
• I noticed you seem to be very sad. Can you tell me what is happening?
• Are you okay?
• It looks like you’ve been losing weight…have you?
• Are you sleeping okay?
• How may I help you?
• Please tell me what’s going on.

DO:

• Listen. Careful listening sends an important message:
  
  • I take you seriously.
  • I care about you (my students).
  • I want to help.
• Talk with him after class, if possible. Ask if he can meet with you for a few minutes when class is over.
• If needed, be a little late for your next class. Tell the distressed student that you have only a few minutes and want to express your concern.
• Refer the student to the Advising & Counseling Center (3526).
• Refer the student to Family Crisis Center, 325-3549 (office) or 564-9192 (Hotline 24 hrs.). Family Crisis Center is a Domestic Violence agency.
• Call Public Safety (3333) if there is a threat to the student while on campus.

DON’T:

• Offer them a ride or a place to stay
• Say, “Don’t worry”, “Crying won’t help”, or “It will be better tomorrow”, etc.
• Be afraid to ask whether the student is suicidal if you think that is a possibility.
• Minimize the situation or the depth of her feelings (e.g., “Oh, it will be much better tomorrow.”).
• Over-commit yourself and, therefore, not be able to deliver on what you promise.
• Ignore your limitations (instead, seek assistance).
• Agree to be bound by confidentiality.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. The suicidal student is often uncertain or confused about killing herself and typically responds to help. Suicidal students usually want to communicate their feelings; any opportunity to do so should be encouraged. This means you really can make a difference.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT A SUICIDAL STUDENT!

If the student is threatening harm to another person or to property, call Public Safety immediately. Notify your supervisor of the incident.

DO:

• Take the student seriously (80% of suicides give warning of their intent). A threat of or attempt at suicide is a plea for help.
• Remain calm while speaking to reassure the student.
• Practice “Active Listening”
  
  • Listen for the essence of what the student is saying.
  • Try to identify the feelings the student is conveying.
  • Summarize back the essence and feelings you have heard and/or identified.
• Problem solve only if the student appears interested in generating solutions.
• Provide support and empathy. Listen attentively to the student. Avoid debating.
• Refer the student to the Advising and Counseling Center (ACC) where trained professionals can provide additional services.
  
  • You can escort the student to the ACC yourself.
  • You can call the ACC (3526) and ask for a counselor to come to the student’s location.
  • You can call Public Safety (3333) and ask them to escort the student to the ACC.
• If the student refuses ACC support, call ACC and Public Safety.

Ask some simple questions, such as:

• What’s the matter?
• Why are you so sad?
• Are you okay?
• Looks like you’ve been losing weight…have you?
• Are you sleeping okay?
• May I help you?
• Would you like to tell me what’s going on?
• I have some ideas that might be helpful, may I share them with you?

If someone says or indicates she might hurt herself, ask a few more simple questions. It’s okay to be blunt:

• Are you thinking of hurting yourself?
• Are you thinking of killing yourself?
• Have you thought of how you would do that?
• When were you thinking of doing that?

DON’T:

• Debate.
• Minimize the situation or the depth of their feelings (e.g., “Oh, it will be much better tomorrow.”).
• Say, “But you have everything to live for.”
• Be afraid to ask the person if they are so depressed or sad that they want to hurt themselves (e.g. “You seem so upset and discouraged that I’m wondering if you are considering suicide”).
• Over-commit yourself and, therefore, not be able to deliver on what you promise.
• Ignore your limitations (instead, seek assistance).
• Agree to be bound by confidentiality.

Any person who knows or has reasonable suspicion that a child (anyone under the age of 18) is being abused or neglected in New Mexico must report the matter within 24 hours of learning about it to the proper authorities by calling one of the agencies listed below.

It is important for every person to take child abuse and neglect seriously, to be able to recognize when it happens, and to know what to do when you see it. Reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect is mandatory by law. (NM Stat § 32A-4-3 (2015)

As a reporter of abuse or neglect, it is important to include as many details about the suspected maltreatment as possible. Provide any descriptive information that you know about the child, the parent, the abuser, location of the abuse, the child’s school, parent’s work place, home address, vehicle license plate, etc.

The San Juan College protocol for reporting is as follows:

1. Once abuse or neglect is suspected, immediately contact one of these agencies:
   
   • Law enforcement: 911
   • CYFD’s Statewide Central Intake child abuse hotline:
     
     • 1-855-333-7233 or
     • 1-505-841-6100 or
     • #SAFE from a cell phone
   • If the child lives on tribal land, call Tribal Protective Services:
   • 1-800-633-5155 or
   • 1-505-346-2866
2. Stay with the child until someone from the agency you called arrives.
3. Do not make other calls or talk to other people about this except with your immediate supervisor or a counselor from the Advising and Counseling Center.
4. If you would like support, call the Counseling Center at 566-3404 and ask for immediate assistance from a counselor.
5. Remember that this is a confidential matter.
6. There is no need to question or interview the child further about any possible abuse or self-harm issues. Leave all further questioning or interviewing to the agency professional.