Violence policies
Domestic violence
Domestic violence is any violent or controlling behavior by a person toward a spouse or partner and can include a dating relationship. Although the partner is the primary target, domestic abuse also affects the children in the household, extended family, co-workers, and even the community at large. If anyone has ever been hit or abused by a spouse, domestic partner, or boy/girl friend and they want to report it as a crime, they should immediately call Lacey Police at 911 or 360-459-4333 or SMU security at 360-438-4555. Saint Martin’s University takes domestic violence seriously and has adopted the following policy:
Domestic violence and the workplace
Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to set forth guidelines for all Saint Martin’s University employees to address the occurrence of domestic violence and its impacts in the workplace.
Description: Domestic violence is abusive behavior that is either physical, sexual, verbal, and/or psychological, intended to establish and maintain control over a partner. Domestic violence is a serious problem that affects people from all walks of life. It can adversely affect the well-being and productivity of employees who are victims, as well as their co-workers. Other effects of domestic violence in the workplace include increased absenteeism, turnover, health care costs, and reduced productivity.
Policy: Saint Martin’s University will not tolerate domestic violence in the workplace and is committed to working with employees who are victims or perpetrators of domestic violence to prevent abuse and harassment from occurring in the workplace.
Saint Martin’s University will provide appropriate support and assistance to employees who are victims of domestic violence. This includes: Confidential means for coming forward for help, resource and referral information, work schedule adjustments or leave as needed to obtain assistance, and workplace relocation as feasible; other appropriate assistance will be provided based on individual need.
Employees who are perpetrators of domestic violence will be encouraged to seek assistance. The University will provide information regarding counseling and certified treatment resources, and make work schedule arrangements to receive such assistance.
Any employee who commits domestic violence at or from the workplace may be subject to corrective or disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Corrective or disciplinary action may also be taken against employees who are convicted or issued a permanent injunction as a result of domestic violence when such action has a direct connection to the employee’s duties as a state employee. No employee will be penalized or disciplined solely for being a victim of domestic violence in the workplace.
All employees need to take seriously the problem of domestic violence and its effect in the workplace. Saint Martin’s University will take all reasonable measures to foster a safe working environment for all employees and clients.
Dating violence
Saint Martin’s University is committed to providing on-campus security, education, training, and victim services to combat violence against all persons. “Dating violence’ is defined as violence committed by a person “who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim;” and “where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of …the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship” 20 U.S.C. 1152 (f)(1).
The SMU counseling center (360-438-4513) offers support and counseling for individuals who have experienced dating violence. Additionally, the SMU Office of Campus and Residence Life and SMU campus security offer programs to students on issues of healthy relationships and dating. SMU counseling services does not limit services to those who are victims of sexual assault or domestic violence; rather, they are committed to enhancing the development of students by supporting, educating, and collaborating with them as they learn to make healthy choices. counseling services is ready and able to extend services to those who are victims of dating violence.
Student victims of dating violence have the right, in addition to filing charges through the criminal justice system, to file a complaint with the dean of student services, the SMU counseling center, or SMU security for acts of violence toward them; it is of no matter if the violence occurred on or off-campus as the University reserves the right to hold students accountable for certain types of off-campus behavior. Disciplinary action may result if the adverse behavior is found in violation of the SMU Conduct Code. Examples of adverse off-campus behaviors include, but are not limited to, crimes of violence, sexual assault, and/or alcohol or drug violations.
Resources for dealing with domestic violence and dating violence
Police, Fire, and Medical - 911
SMU Counseling and Wellness Center - 360-688-2015
SMU Office of Campus Safety and Security - 360-438-4555
SMU dean of student services - 360-438-4367
Safeplace (Rape Relief/Women’s Shelter Services) - 360-754-6300
The Crisis Clinic - 360-586-2800
Voluntary reporting of crimes on campus locations:
For those wishing to make a report of a criminal incident, whether a victim, witness, or third party, and made in strict confidence, the following offices will do so and discuss further options with you:
SMU Office of Campus Safety and Security - 360-438-4555
SMU Counseling and Wellness Center - 360-688-2015
Violence in the workplace
Saint Martin’s University is committed to providing on-campus security, education, and training to combat violence in the workplace. In support of this, Saint Martin’s University has adopted the following workplace violence policy:
Purpose: Saint Martin’s University is committed to maintaining a work environment that is as free as possible from acts or threats of violence or intimidation. The safety and security of SMU faculty, staff, students and visitors are of vital importance.
Policy: Violent or threatening behavior directed at faculty, staff, students and visitors, or property will not be tolerated by Saint Martin’s University; this applies to any acts of violence or threats made on SMU property, at SMU events, or under other circumstances that may negatively affect SMU’s ability to conduct business. Included in this prohibition are such acts or threats of violence whether made directly or indirectly, by words, gestures, or symbols, that infringe on the University’s right or obligation to provide a safe workplace for its employees, students, and visitors.
Prohibited behaviors
Saint Martin’s University defines violence as follows and prohibits:
- The use of physical force with the intent to commit harm;
- Acts or threats in any manner or form, which are intended to intimidate, coerce, or cause fear of harm;
- Acts or threats of violence made directly or indirectly by words, gestures or symbols;
- Property crimes that would reasonably be anticipated to have the effect of intimidating or causing fear of harm.
Employees and visitors may not possess, carry, or store firearms, edged weapons, martial arts weapons, or blunt force weapons on University property, to include privately owned vehicles parked on University property. These items are also prohibited at University events and functions that take place off campus. Students may possess weapons only as provided in SMU policies, which can be found in the residence hall contract and student handbook. This restriction shall not apply to weapons carried by police officers in the performance of their duties and any other exceptions as authorized by Washington Administrative Code 106-124-700. It shall not apply to tools that are used by University employees in the performance of work duties, or otherwise, legal items such as a small penknife or pocketknife carried or possessed without the intent of injuring, threatening or intimidating others.
Workplace Violence Procedures - Preventive Measures
Training: Workplace violence training shall be offered by the Office of Campus Safety and Security upon request.
Pre- and post- employment screening: The hiring department will insure that employment reference checks of prospective employees are conducted. A criminal background check of candidates to whom an offer of employment is extended may be conducted, provided notice is given on the job announcement. In certain circumstances and with cause, an appointing authority may request that the Office of Campus Safety and Security conduct a criminal background check of any employee thought to pose a threat of violence.
Incident and pre-incident procedures: Any member of the University community observing behavior that is in violation of the workplace violence policy, or that could reasonably be interpreted as a precursor to an act of violence or intimidation, shall make an immediate report to the Office of Campus Safety and Security. In cases of imminent danger, campus security will intervene. Time and circumstances permitting, the supervisor of the employee-victim and/or employee-perpetrator, the director of campus security, and, as applicable, the director of human resources, and/or the dean of student services will make a threat assessment and report to the appropriate University Official.
Supervisor responsibility: supervisors are critical to the prevention of employee violence in the workplace. By recognizing early signs and intervening prudently and appropriately, supervisors can reduce the chances of eruptive violent behavior. When left unchecked, inappropriate behaviors can escalate to higher levels. Behavioral warning signs which, in some combination, may indicate a potential for violence, could include but are not limited to:
- paranoia (e.g. "others are out to get me or my job")
- frequent angry outbursts, difficulty controlling temper
- recent isolation of self from co-workers
- rash or impulsive behavior without apparent forethought
- failure to accept criticism, blaming others when things go wrong
- drug/alcohol use or abuse
- obsession about possessing or collecting weapons
- co-workers have concerns about, or fear, this person
- bragging about past acts of violence
- threats (e.g. “one of these days, they are going to be sorry”)
A supervisor who observes such behaviors in an employee, particularly when they represent behavioral change, should consult with his or her department head to determine whether or not other University resources are required. The human resources office should be notified for assistance. The SMU counseling center and the Office of Campus Safety and Security can help with this determination. If a supervisor believes that someone may be in imminent danger, or if the incident in question resulted in anyone being physically harmed or intimated, the supervisor must immediately contact the Office of Campus Safety and Security at 360-438-4555. The Office of Campus Safety and Security will advise the supervisor as to a course of action and will also contact, as applicable, the Director of Human Resources, the SMU counseling center, and the Dean of Student Services.
Under certain circumstances, a supervisor may have to act prior to contacting other University resources. Where appropriate, supervisors should rely on information received in training and related programs. As soon as possible, the supervisor should follow the reporting procedure outlined above.
Action in Response to a Violent, Abusive or Threatening Behavior: During or immediately after any incident, the SMU Office of Campus Security (360-438-4555) to establish order and control the area.
When necessary, the Saint Martin’s University Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT) shall insure that proper attention is given to medical, law enforcement, counseling, employment, academic, and public relations issues.
The SMU Director of Campus Safety and Security will prepare a workplace violence report on or about February 1 of each year. The report will list and describe workplace violence incidents of the previous year and prescribe appropriate recommendations.
University Premises
For the purpose of this policy, the workplace and University premises are defined as:
- The physical premises of Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, WA, as well as any other premises owned and/or controlled by Saint Martin’s University;
- Such other properties that may be rented or leased by Saint Martin’s University;
- Motor vehicles that are owned or leased by Saint Martin’s University;
- Locations to which a SMU employee is assigned in the performance of his or her duties, e.g., an event at another institution;
- Location in which a SMU student is present at a University-sponsored event or activity, e.g., a study-abroad program or athletic venue at another institution;
- Extensions of the physical workplace in the case of incidents that begin on campus and proceed off-premises, e.g., stalking, harassment.
Sanctions: Violation of this policy by any SMU employee will result in disciplinary action that may result in termination of employment and/or criminal prosecution. Violations by SMU students will result in University judicial action and/or criminal prosecution. Violations by groups or individuals who are neither Saint Martin’s University employees nor students will result inbeing criminally trespassed from University property and/or criminal prosecution.