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Cultivating Learning and Safe Environments

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UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

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The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Response, Prevention Efforts, and Resources to Address Sexual Harassment, Stalking, Dating/Domestic Abuse and Violence, and Unwanted Sexual Contact.


 

Supportive Services

I.M. UT Crisis Hotline

This hotline is part of a campus-wide bystander initiative program to support staff and student mental health, wellness, and safety. The hotline provides trained mental health professionals to help with assessment, referrals, intervention, and crisis management. This program is promoted at new student
orientation and through rotating trainings throughout the school year. Free of charge and available 24/7. For information contact (713) 500-IMUT (4688).

UTMDA Institutional Diversity Office

UTMDA’s Institutional Diversity office serves as a resource on all matters related to diversity and inclusion within the MD Anderson environment. For example, the Institutional Diversity office can be a source of information on how cultural differences can impact whether or not a person will perceive behavior as sexually inappropriate. The Institutional Diversity office can be reached at (713) 563-5367.

Confidential Resources and Reporting —

Student Health & Counseling Services

The Student Health & Counseling Services provides integrated health care to all enrolled UTMDA com-
munity students. Services include primary care and clinical services, health maintenance, STD testing, immunizations, lab work, pharmacy, and nutritional services. Counseling services include individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, outreach, and educational programs. The Student Health Clinic is located at 6410 Fannin St. #1010. Contact (713) 500-5171 or visit the website at https://www.uth.edu/studenthealth/index.htm for information and services.

UTMDA Employee Assistance Program

UTMDA’s EAP program is available for employees and family members, and offers a variety of services including counseling services with a licensed mental health professional, as well as counseling for
employee complainants and respondents in Title IX cases. The UT EAP is available 24/7. For information contact (713) 745-6901.

Off-Campus Resources —

The Houston Area Women’s Center

The Houston Area Women’s Center provides services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault including counseling, shelter, and referral to community resources. In addition, the center offers violence prevention and community education. For the center contact (713) 528-6798. For 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline contact (713) 528-2121 or toll free at (800) 256-0551. For the 24-hour Sexual Assault Hotline contact (713) 528-7273 or toll free at (800) 256-0661.

Texas Advocacy Project

This resource center provides free legal help to survivors of family violence and sexual assault. For Sexual Assault Legal Hotline contact (888) 296-SAFE, for Family Violence Legal Hotline contact (800) 374-HOPE, or visit https://www.texasadvocacyproject.org/ for more information.

Crisis Intervention of Houston

This 24-hour confidential telephone counseling and referral service provides free crisis intervention support, information, and referrals to individuals in crisis. For 24-hour Hotline contact (832) 416-1177 or visit https://crisishotline.org/ for information.


 

Coordinated Response

STOP (Behavioral Intervention Team – B.I.T.)

UTMDA and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston have an integrated BIT team that
aims to prevent and resolve incidents of violence across campus, with an emphasis on addressing sexual harassment, stalking, and dating/domestic violence. This partnership includes UTP-H, Legal Affairs, Office of Employee Assistance Programs, Student Counseling, Human Resources, and the Office of the Executive Vice President & Chief Academic Officer. For information contact (713) 792-STOP (7867).  

Human Resources, EEO, & HR Regulations Office (HR-EEO & HR Regs.)

The HR-EEO Office is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination and harassment. HR-EEO revised the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Prevention Policy in July 2015, developed and implemented trainings, and provided resources to the School of Health Professions (SHP) students and staff. Contact (713) 745-6947 or visit https://www.mdanderson.org/about-md-anderson/business-legal/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/equal-employment-opportunity.html for further information.

Institutional Title IX Coordinator

The Title IX Coordinator is tasked with oversight responsibility with regard to all Title IX matters, including sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. For information contact Sheri Wakefield at (713) 745-6174; sbrownlo@mdanderson.org.

UT Police - Houston (UTP-H)

The University of Texas Police at Houston (UTP-H) is dedicated to the protection and service of all persons within the UTMDA Cancer Center community, while protecting the resources of the university. For emergencies call 911. For non-emergencies contact (713) 792-2890. For students who wish to report to UTP-H an incident of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, or stalking contact (713) 792-STOP. Visit https://www.mdanderson.org/utpd/index.html for information.

Note: A database was created for UTP-H to share case information with the Title IX Coordinator to
review and determine appropriate next steps in parallel with the criminal investigative component, as appropriate or needed.

Threat Management Team

Serving as the investigative component of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), the Threat Management Team (TMT) scans the environment to identify incidents and behaviors, linked to aggression and violence. Rather than waiting for disruptive, aggressive, or suicidal expressions to erupt into a violent event, TMT works proactively with the BIT to design, implement, and monitor intervention
strategies. This collaborative approach has yielded positive results in hundreds of cases with the highest priority given to behaviors linked to stalking, harassment, domestic violence, suicidal ideation, and mental health concerns.


 

Policy

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Prevention Policy

Visit https://www.mdanderson.org/education-training/degrees-programs/school-of-health-professions/current-students/sexual-harassment.html for information on the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Prevention Policy.

UT MDA School of Health Professions Student Catalog

All academic and general policies including those on sexual harassment and misconduct are available to students online at all times. Emphasis on policies occur at the beginning of each academic year. Institutional and program handbooks are also available online and through program directors and personnel in the Dean’s office. Visit https://www.mdanderson.org/education-training/degrees-programs/school-of-health-professions/current-students/sexual-harassment.html for a complete list of policies.

Title IX Information 

Visit the Title IX Binder: https://utexas.box.com/s/d98j2mkvagueg7g1dwu6epqub1qou2e7 for more information.


Professional Training

Compliance for Students and Employees —

Institutional Online Training for Students

This mandatory online course provides training on sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and Title IX. A requirement of both the institution and the School of Health Professions. Students must complete this training during the first week of enrollment. Training is available on the training portal in the Education Center.

Employment Laws and Practices Training for Students - Online Course

This course provides training on sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and Title IX. A requirement of both the institution and SHP. Students must complete this training during the first week of enrollment. Available on the training portal in the Education Center.

Institutional Mandatory Online Training for Employees

A separate training for employees on sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and Title IX, including
reporting policies and procedures, is also located on the training portal in the Education Center.

Instructor-Led Training

Instructor-led training is conducted annually with SHP students and faculty.

Training for Students —

Student Orientation Title IX Training

This face-to-face training presentation on the various elements of Title IX, including sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, is provided to all enrolled students during new student orientation.

Sponsored by the Title IX Office.

Training for Employees —

Title IX Reporting Training

Title IX reporting training on all areas of Title IX compliance is provided annually to all Equal Employment Opportunity staff, Title IX coordinators, investigators, and appeal/hearing officers by Title IX Compliance.

Employment Laws and Practices Training 

A customized training for managers, employees, and contingent workers on sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and Title IX, including reporting policies and procedures, is also located on the training portal in the Education Center.

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Prevention Policy Resource Packet

A customized resource packet was provided to all SHP faculty/staff on changes in the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct policy. A customized resource packet for managers is available on the MD
Anderson website for managers.

Training for Students and Employees —

Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.)

This safety awareness course is given by certified instructors associated with The University of Texas Police at Houston (UTP-H). A twelve-hour training including a lecture, discussion, and demonstration of hands-on self-defense practices is provided to help individuals feel confident in their ability to avoid and fend off attackers. For information email utpdoutreach@mdanderson.org or contact (713) 563-7794.


 

Awareness, Prevention, and Educational Efforts

It’s On US 

This bystander intervention and sexual violence prevention program encourages students and the campus community to take a pledge to be part of the solution to preventing sexual assault and violence on campus through education and safe intervention.

Domestic Violence Awareness 

This one-hour UTP-H safety awareness course familiarizes attendees with Texas laws associated with family violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Guidance is provided on how to recognize the signs of intimate partner violence and to understand the significance of early action and reporting options. For information email utpdoutreach@mdanderson.org or contact (713) 563-7794.

General Campus Safety Awareness

This one-hour UTP-H safety awareness course provides general safety tips on how to be safe and minimize risk of being a potential target, and available resources. For information email utpdoutreach@mdanderson.org or contact (713) 563-7794.

Violence Against Women

This one-hour UTP-H safety awareness course provides an overview of gender-based violence (e.g. intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and sexual harassment), as well as information on how to respond. For information email utpdoutreach@mdanderson.org or contact (713)563-7794.

Violence in the Workplace

This one-hour UTP-H safety awareness course provides guidance on identifying and addressing behaviors of concern and courses of action in the workplace. The course motto is “Awareness plus action equals prevention.” For information email utpdoutreach@mdanderson.org or contact (713) 563-7794.

Verbal Defense and Influence

This four-hour UTP-H safety awareness course teaches individuals to defend and deflect words with proven strategies that can turn a heated conversation to their advantage and keep tension to a minimum. For information email utpdoutreach@mdanderson.org or contact (713) 563-7794.

Employee Notes 

This website and employee resource provides pertinent information including updates to sexual harassment and sexual misconduct policy, and Title IX issues.

Email Communications

MD Anderson communicates with all leadership, including managers, via email regarding their role as outlined in the revised Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Prevention Policy. See Title IX binder for examples of actual communications and plans.

The Forum

Open to all employees and encouraged for managers to attend, The Forum is a monthly meeting designed to share high-priority information that’s of interest institution-wide. The meeting is streamed live for those who cannot attend in person, and video recordings of all presentations are made available on the intranet for repeat viewing after the event.

Employee Bulletin Boards

MD Anderson communicates important messages to employees through more than 20 bulletin boards hanging in employees-only areas with high traffic. Boards are updated weekly and feature important policy and compliance reminders as well as news and other important information that will help employees do their jobs effectively in a safe and respectful manner.

Title IX Website

This website is accessible by the public and features access to MD Anderson’s policies regarding sexual misconduct, contact information for our Title IX coordinator and more information about how to report an incident. Visit www.mdanderson.org/titleix