Students on study abroad programs may find that other cultures and societies have a much different understanding of what might be considered sexual harassment than is typically the case in the United States. Likewise, there can be great variation in the binary and non-binary gender roles and also in their forms of social interaction. Part of the study abroad experience is to learn how another culture and society organizes everyday life. What might be perceived as sexual harassment in Kalamazoo might be regarded by some as being socially acceptable, albeit obnoxious and unsettling behavior.

While U.S. American laws do not extend beyond the borders of the United States, Kalamazoo College students studying abroad are bound by College policy regarding social behavior, sexual harassment, and the Honor System for their own actions. With regard to the actions of others, the Center for International Programs has worked to make our partners abroad aware of College policies regarding sexual harassment. We attempt to follow federal regulations regarding Title IX policies and reporting protocols. This means if a student feels that they have been the subject of sexual harassment during a study abroad program, the student should first report this to the Kalamazoo College program staff or to the proper University official, typically to the Dean of Students or the International Office. The student may also choose to report to a CIP staff member or to the Kalamazoo College Title IX office. Once receiving the report, either from the student or resident director (or other staff member), CIP staff are required to report to the Title IX officer at Kalamazoo College. The host university may also investigate the complaint according to their procedures. Students making a report of sexual harassment may be asked to provide details concerning the incident and the perpetrator(s). We will try to maintain confidentiality throughout the process and honor the reporting student’s request for follow up. If the harassment charge is against a Kalamazoo College student, we will make every effort to follow the procedures used on campus with adjustments for the distance, the rules, and the mores of the partner institution. To ensure the safety and well-being of others, Kalamazoo College reserves the right to suspend or terminate the accused student’s participation in the study abroad program.

The College is obligated to respond when a student on study abroad or a member of that student’s family reports to a Kalamazoo College staff member that the student has been the target of sexual harassment.

A typical response by the College would include a discussion with the student as to what happened, followed by a discussion with appropriate officials at the host institution abroad about possible courses of action. Although every effort would be made to handle these matters confidentially, Kalamazoo College has no control over how the host institution abroad may choose to handle the report of an incident of sexual harassment. Furthermore, the College’s concern for the students’ health, safety, and well-being while abroad may require that all details relating to the incident be communicated to the Kalamazoo program staff and/or the partner institution abroad.

Kalamazoo College students studying away are bound by College policy regarding social behavior, sexual harassment, and the Honor System for their own actions. With regard to the actions of others, the Center for International Programs has worked to make our partners away aware of College policies regarding sexual harassment. We attempt to follow federal regulations regarding Title IX policies and reporting protocols. This means if a student feels that she or he or they have been the subject of sexual harassment during a study away program, the student should first report this to the Program staff or to the proper University official, typically to the Dean of Students. The student may also choose to report to a CIP staff member. Once receiving the report, either from the student or other staff member, CIP staff are required to report to the Title IX officer at Kalamazoo College. The host university may also investigate the charge according to their procedures. Students making a report of sexual harassment may be asked to provide details concerning the incident and the perpetrator(s). We will try to maintain confidentiality throughout the process and honor the reporting student’s request for follow up. If the harassment charge is against a Kalamazoo College student, we will make every effort to follow the procedures used on campus with adjustments for the distance, the rules, and the mores of the partner institution. To ensure the safety and well-being of others, Kalamazoo College reserves the right to suspend or terminate the accused student’s participation in the study away program.

The College is obligated to respond when a student on study away or a member of that student’s family reports to a Kalamazoo College staff member that the student has been the target of sexual harassment. A typical response by the College would include a discussion with the student as to what happened, followed by a discussion with appropriate officials at the host institution away about possible courses of action. Although every effort would be made to handle these matters confidentially, Kalamazoo College has no control over how the host institution may choose to handle the report of an incident of sexual harassment. Furthermore, the College’s concern for the students’ health, safety, and well-being while away may require that all details relating to the incident be communicated to the Program staff.

Sexual misconduct can happen to students anywhere in the world.

Unfortunately, once students leave campus, their risk of sexual misconduct is not lowered. Kalamazoo College and the Center for International Programs take this issue extremely seriously: the following section is not meant to scare participants, but rather to provide strategies to mitigate the risk of sexual misconduct while abroad/away as well as provide information about what to do after an incident.

Below are several factors that can place students at risk for sexual misconduct. This list has been adapted from the Kalamazoo College Student sexual misconduct resource guide.

The following factors can place students at risk for being subjected to sexual misconduct:

• Use of alcohol or other drugs that impair judgment or being with someone who is using alcohol and is intoxicated
• “Hooking up” with unfamiliar persons
• Feeling pressured to engage in sexual activity or feeling like everyone else is doing it
• Feeling lonely or depressed
• Not communicating clearly about your wishes and expectations

In addition to these factors, there are additional considerations when a student is outside their familiar cultural environment. Culture, gender, and law shape personal interactions and the norms of consent in any given place. It is important to understand how the norms of consent in a host country may differ from those in the United States.

For example, if a woman allows a man into her living space, is it considered or interpreted as an invitation for sexual activity? Is sexual activity expected if a man accepts a drink or some other gift from a man? Study abroad participants may find the answers to these questions by seeking out past program participants, by speaking with international students from the host country before departure, or by talking to local women, LGBTQI community members and/or program staff while abroad. Seek these answers out. Understanding the cultural context will not only increase the level of safety for participants while abroad, but will also enrich the study abroad experience.

While laws regarding sexual misconduct greatly differ by country, incidents between Kalamazoo College students are subject to the Kalamazoo College Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Sexual assault is a traumatic incident regardless of when or where it happens, but it can be particularly challenging if participants are in an unfamiliar culture and far from their normal support network. Even if the participant knows they do not want to report to the police, a first step should be to seek medical attention.

For students, CIP recommends reporting the incident to the Resident Director or local program staff member. The Resident Director is responsible for handling emergencies as well as for being a source of information for the personal health and well-being for participants. They can help participants access medical treatment, emotional support, legal counsel, and other needs. 

The Resident Director at each Kalamazoo site has specific instructions for how to proceed in the event a student in the Kalamazoo program has been sexually assaulted. These instructions reflect appropriate laws and cultural practices in each site.

For students on partner programs, local staff will have a protocol to follow that includes steps similar (but not exactly the same) as to what students would experience on our own campus. Kalamazoo Resident Directors and most program partners are required as part of their protocol to contact a designated staff member in the Center for International Programs whenever such an incident is reported so the Center can initiate campus protocol in assisting the student.

Once a Resident Director has informed a CIP staff member, it is typically the practice of the CIP to talk with the survivor directly to ensure the student has received the appropriate medical and counseling assistance available locally. CIP staff members must follow campus protocol and notify the Kalamazoo College Title IX officer. The CIP staff member will inform campus counselors, parents, or other campus personnel only with the consent of the survivor. If students wish to talk with someone who will maintain confidentiality, students may notify the campus Chaplain Liz Candido (Elizabeth.Candido@kzoo.edu or ++ 269.337.7361) or a member of the Counseling Center (oncall phone is ++269.598.6907 or counseling@kzoo.edu). The Counseling Center and the Chaplin are the only confidential resources available on campus.

Immediately following a sexual assault:

• Get to a safe place. Your safety is the HIGHEST priority. If you feel unsafe, please contact someone.
• Seek help from someone you trust.
• Inform the Resident Director. Resident Directors have been trained to respond to students in times of crisis. Their first priority will be your physical well-being and providing emotional support. They can also provide you with information regarding next steps.
• Avoid showering/bathing, brushing your teeth, or urinating (if possible) before you receive medical care. This will keep evidence intact should if the student chooses to make a police report at any time.
• Seek medical attention.
• Write (or ask the Resident Director or a friend to help) a detailed report of the incident. As time passes, students may forget details that may be important should the student decide to press charges.
• Listen to the Resident Director for legal, medical, and psychological information and support.
• Students are strongly encouraged to seek medical attention after a sexual misconduct incident. A doctor can not only collect evidence of the sexual misconduct and also check for STIs, provide emergency contraception and other treatments, and treat any injuries. If a student chooses to make a report to the police, understand that sexual misconduct laws vary greatly by country. The Resident Director and other program staff can help participants understand local laws and procedures.

Sexual misconduct is a very traumatic experience, and it takes time to recover. Personal and emotional support is essential to recovering from sexual misconduct. It will likely impact your ability to function or concentrate. Some students find it helpful to talk to a counselor during this time. Upon return to the United States, students may have unique challenges reintegrating to K.

Continue to seek support from friends, and consider utilizing on- and off-campus resources such as the Counseling Center or the Kalamazoo YWCA. Because many K students tend to participate in programs with other K students, participants may also find themselves supporting a friend who has experienced sexual misconduct. Friends of participants are encouraged to follow the “response to sexual misconduct” steps outlined previously.

Physical assault is a traumatic event that can occur in any environment, whether on K’s campus or abroad/away. As a sojourner, participants are typically more visible than what they are used to being and thus more likely to attract interest, whether positive or negative.

Maintaining personal safety can be complex in one’s own cultural environment and much more so in one that is less familiar. It is more challenging to read situations and to assess risks to physical safety. Even though only a handful of students report being mugged or physically assaulted, it is a traumatic experience.

We encourage participants to inform Resident Directors or local Program staff when this occurs. On-site staff may assist in getting participants to the hospital, reporting the incident to the police, and reporting the incident to the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate, if applicable.

As part of the on-site orientation, we expect that participants will be given information about locating local contact numbers for agencies and organizations that deal with crisis issues such as assault, rape, suicide, alcohol and drug abuse counseling, depression, etc. On Kalamazoo programs we ask our Resident Directors to include this in the materials students receive at orientation.

If participants need help in one of these areas, we hope they will seek it out. In addition, the CIP urges participants to talk with the Resident Director or a staff member at the program. These are highly personal issues and it is difficult to talk to anyone about them. The Kalamazoo Directors have experience in helping students through tough times. Local contacts are another good option. If a study abroad participant is the victim of an assault and battery, sexual assault or rape, we encourage participants to inform the Resident Director and the local authorities in addition to seeking help and counseling from a crisis center or other professional.

Kalamazoo College Sexual Misconduct Policy
Kalamazoo College Counseling Center
CDC Sexual Violence
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
RAINN Nation Sexual Assault Hotline (internet based)
Title IX resources at Kalamazoo College:
Title IX
University of Michigan Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center’s Common Reactions to Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault Support and Help for Americans Abroad: provides tips to stay safe, live chat for immediate support, and an international crisis-line to call for advice and/or counseling.

Additional Health Resources

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Finding a doctor or hospital abroad – U.S. Department of State
• World Health Organization (WHO) – info on disease outbreaks
• K College Counseling Center
• K College Student Health Center
• Overeaters Anonymous
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa
• Alcoholics Anonymous