Title IX / Violence Against Women Act

We understand that Western Iowa Tech's procedures for addressing sexual offenses are complex and can be confusing. Our Title IX webpages are designed to help explain Western Iowa Tech's policy and procedures under Title IX and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The information in these pages will:

  • provide you with specific resources available both on and off campus
  • provide you with details on available supportive measures
  • educate you on your right to an Advisor and how they can assist you throughout the process
  • inform you of policy definitions that describe prohibited conduct 
  • inform you of possible sanctions for policy violations
  • provide you with common questions and answers asked by parties (Complainants and Respondents) 

Western Iowa Tech Community College endeavors to maintain an environment conducive to work and study for all persons. The College prohibits sex discrimination in its programs and activities, including sexual harassment, sexual assault and abuse, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Prohibited conduct also includes retaliation against others for opposing sexual harassment or exercising rights under this Policy to make complaints or participate in an adjudication process. 

Title IX Summary

  • Title IX of the U.S. Department of Education Amendments of 1972 protects students and employees who are impacted by sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. When these behaviors occur, and a formal complaint is made, Western Iowa Tech will address and remedy the complaint to ensure that no one is denied effective access to the educational program or activities of the College.  
  • Colleges have jurisdiction requirements that they must follow to determine whether a complaint falls within Title IX or will be addressed within other Western Iowa Tech policies and procedures. 
  • Complainants are supported by the regulations and are offered supportive measures to try to address the impact of sex offenses. 
  • The regulations have created options for informal resolution that were not available before 2020. 
  • To protect Respondents’ due process rights, the college must use a formal grievance process for certain types of allegations. That formal process includes an investigation, a live hearing, questioning of the parties through their Advisors, a determination by an objective Decision-maker, and an appeal. 

Violence Against Women Act Summary

The Violence Against Women Act §304, VAWA, was originally enacted in 1994 to address concerns with violent crimes and violence against women. The goals of VAWA are to prevent violent crimes, respond to the needs of crime victims, learn more about crime, and change public attitudes through a collaborative effort made by a variety of organizations and systems. In 2013, President Obama signed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which, among many provisions, amended sections of the 1990 Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).  

Federal law requires Western Iowa Tech to take specific steps to prevent and respond to dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. 

The College must: 

  • Track and report data in the Annual Security Report 
  • Provide prevention education that includes: 
    • A statement that WIT prohibits dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking 
    • Our definition of consent 
    • Bystander intervention options 
    • Risk reduction information 
    • An explanation of WIT’s procedures after a sex offense is reported 
  • Explain the disciplinary process 
  • Describe supportive measures 
  • Ensure a fair, impartial process 

Additional details about these requirements are available in the College’s Annual Security Report.