Definitions

Unwelcome conduct, determined by a reasonable person, to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to Moody’s Education Programs and Activities.

Dating Violence: Violence, committed by a person, who is in or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with an individual. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. For the purposes of this definition, Dating Violence includes but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse. Dating Violence does not include acts covered under the definition of Domestic Violence.

Domestic Violence: Violence, including but not limited to, sexual or physical violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of an individual, by a person with whom the individual shares a child in common, or by a person who is cohabitating with, or has cohabitated with, the individual as a spouse or intimate partner, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the individual under the domestic or family violence laws of the state where the alleged misconduct occurred, or by any other person against an adult or youth individual who is protected from that person’s acts under the applicable domestic or family violence laws of the state where the alleged misconduct occurred.

Stalking is engaging in a course of behavior directed at a specific person that causes that person to fear for their safety, the safety of others, or to suffer substantial emotional distress.

Stalking Behavior

Two or more acts of the following (but not limited to), done by the person directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means may be evidence of stalking:

• Following
• Monitoring
• Surveilling
• Threatening
• Threatening a person’s physical property

Context Matters

A single isolated incident may not mean much to someone, but if there are behaviors or conduct that involves the following, it could be stalking:

Identifying Stalking Behaviors

Surveillance is a person watching, following, or gathering information about the intended individual.

• Keeping track of someone’s online social media activity
• Researching a person
• Watching/waiting in places the person may be

Intimidation is a person threatening or scaring the intended individual.

• Direct/explicit threats: “I will hurt you.” “You better watch out.”
• Verbal, written, or online threats to hurt, embarrass, or cause harm.
• Using third parties to watch a person.
• Symbolic violence (i.e., slashed tires)
• Blackmail/threats to release intimate or private photos, messages, or information.
• Threats to hurt themselves or the person’s loved ones.
• Forced confrontations (i.e., standing in the hallway when no one is around).

Life invasion is a person showing up in the intended individual’s life.

• Spreading rumors or misinformation.
• Messaging, texting, emailing, or calling the person.
• Contacting people close to that person’s circle.
• Showing up in public or private places that person may be.
• Leaving notes/gifts for that person.
• Joining groups, activities, or communities that person may be a part of.

Interference is a person sabotaging, attacking, or changing the intended person’s life.

• Damaging property
• Hacking into the person’s accounts
• Impersonating the person online
• Sabotaging through spreading rumors
• Causing physical injury

Cyberstalking

Cyberstalking is the use of the internet or other technology to harass people online. This can occur through emails, text messages, social media posts, GPS tracking, catfishing, with the intention to be deliberate, persistent, and cause fear, stress, and worry.

Stalking and Social Media

The use of social media has created an opportunity for cyberstalking to become accessible and to occur more frequently.

Signs You’re Being Stalked on Social Media:

• Following the person online by joining the same groups and forums
• Commenting or liking every post the person makes
• Messaging the person repeatedly
• Hijacking into the person’s social media accounts
• Posting fake photos of the person
• Receiving explicit photos online

Tips on Avoiding Stalking on Social Media

• Keep your profile private through your settings
• Turn off your location while using apps/avoid tagging your location
• Hide your friends list so stalkers avoid duplicating or contacting your friends
• Switch up your usernames for different social media platforms
• Don’t share more information than necessary (i.e., birth dates, relationship status, email, phone number)
• Delete old accounts
• Change your settings to not approve messages from people you do not follow

How is Moody Addressing Stalking Behavior?

Moody takes reports of stalking behavior very seriously. First, it is important to recognize the difference between someone exhibiting stalking behavior and someone navigating through campus as they are going to class, study locations, school events, or hanging out with friends.

However, if you feel someone is displaying stalking behavior toward you, the Title IX Office encourages students and employees to report it immediately.

Moody recognizes that students may drink alcohol, use drugs (whether such use is voluntary or involuntary) or engage in consensual sex—all prohibited by Moody’s policies.

As a result, individuals may be hesitant to report incidents of sexual harassment or sexual violence for fear of potential consequences for their own conduct.

To help alleviate some apprehension associated with this, Moody’s amnesty provision provides that a Complainant, Witness, Respondent, or other individual will not be disciplined under other Moody policies for potential behavior violations that occur out of the same facts and circumstances as a report of prohibited conduct made to the Title IX Office.

However, during the course of an investigation under this policy, conduct violations of other Moody policies that are unrelated to the incident of prohibited conduct may be discovered.

Moody may exercise discretion in determining appropriate punishment, which may include lesser disciplinary actions than those stated in the relevant policy or take no action at all. Any discretionary determination will be considered on a case-by-case basis.