Sexual Harassment/ Abuse

CUNY Policy Prohibits Sexual Harassment

It is the policy of The City University of New York and BMCC to prohibit sexual harassment of employees and students. It is a violation of policy for any member of the college community to engage in sexual harassment. It is a violation of policy for any member of the college community to take action against an individual for reporting sexual harassment. This policy is related to and conforms to the Equal Employment Act and Applicable Laws & Penalties Related to Sexual Assault Crimes: Article 130 of the New York State Penal Law deals with sex offenses. The most severe applicable penalties for Article 130 are as follows:

College Campus Sexual Assaults

The circumstances surrounding sexual assaults on college campuses are often quite different from those that occur elsewhere. Many of the incidents occur under circumstances commonly referred to as date rape. Date rape is a sexual assault against a person that is committed by someone the victim knows. The perpetrator may be someone the victim knows well and may have previously been in his or her company. Because of this familiarity, the victim often fails to see the incident as a serious crime and may, in fact, place some of the blame for the incident upon herself or himself.

Date rape in college surroundings quite often follows the use of alcohol or other drugs by the victim and the perpetrator. Very often, the victims find that they have been placed in a vulnerable position by trying to make new acquaintances or fit in with a new crowd. All students should remember that date rape is another name for a very serious crime. Every person is an individual and should be able to assert his or her wishes in a relationship. Self-awareness and good common sense are your best weapons against date rape. Learn more about preventing date rape.

The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act is a Federal Law that was enacted on October 28, 2000 and provides for the tracking of convicted, registered sex offenders who work, attend or volunteer at institutions of higher education. As of October 28, 2002, each state must ensure that all registered sex offenders provide information concerning each institution of higher education where they work, attend or volunteer.

Crime Statistics

This law also amends the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). All institutions of Higher Education must include a statement in their annual disclosure of statistics to where information concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained.
See recent crime statistics.

The Sex Offender Registry in New York State is maintained by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and they have made available a web-based searchable database of registered offenders. DCJS is required to notify the local law enforcement of the presence of all registered offenders residing in their jurisdiction and those attending, working and/or volunteering at an institution of higher education.

BMCC Public Safety

199 Chambers St, Lobby
New York, NY 10007
Phone: 212 220-8000 Ext. 7080
Email: safety@bmcc.cuny.edu

For all emergencies call Ext. 8080