Filing a Complaint

Who can file a complaint?

Any person that has witnessed or experienced gender-discrimination, sexual harassment, or sex violence can file a complaint. Ventura College takes every report seriously, investigates the complaint, and works to protect the complainant and quickly find resolution.

How To File a Complaint

There are several ways to file a complaint dependent on which agency you would like to submit the report to. Often, the differing agencies will cooperatively work to investigate and resolve the situation.

Contact one or more of the following with your complaint:

Ventura College
Dr. Gema Espinoza Sanchez, Title IX Coordinator
(805) 289-6219 gemasanchez@vcccd.edu

Ventura College Police Office
71 Day Road
Ventura, CA 93003
Located at 71 Day Road (above the Institute for Community & Professional Development [ICPD] building.)
(805) 289-6486 | EMERGENCY: dial 911

Ventura Police Department
1425 Dowell Drive, Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 339-4400 | EMERGENCY: dial 911

What happens after you file a complaint?

An investigation plan is put into immediate action once you file a complaint.

This may or may not include the following:

  • Interview with the reporter
  • Interview with the witness(es)
  • Interview with the perpetrator
  • Hearing
  • Reported resolution

Privacy and Confidentiality

Protection and Privacy

Ventura College and the Title IX investigation team works to ensure your privacy and confidentiality is maintained as governed by the law.

Title IX law states that the college is to take immediate action when a complaint is made into both investigation of the case as well as to protect the complainant. Ventura College and the Title IX team will meet with each individual to determine necessary protective steps needed.

Common fears when reporting

Remaining Anonymous

It can often feel uncomfortable to submit your name on a report or filed complaint. Ventura College works to maintain confidentiality and privacy in all Title IX reports and to protect the complainant and/or reporter. Although there are degrees in which Ventura College can maintain the anonymity of one's name, it is important to provide contact information when reporting so that an immediate and thorough investigation of the incident may occur.

Unsure that resolution will take place

It is common to fear filing a complaint because of the concern that no action or resolution will take place. However, the law requires the college to take immediate action and see the case through to resolution.

Safety for attending class, program activity, or scheduled work

When reporting a Title IX incident fear of returning to the location or seeing the perpetrator again can cause fear and anxiety. It is the law and commitment of the college to create a safe environment and to take necessary actions in order to ensure that each person has access to education and the workplace.

Retaliation

It is not unusual to wonder what actions the perpetrator may take once they have learned a complaint has been filed against them. According to Title IX law, it is illegal for a person to retaliate in any form due to a reported and filed complaint. If retaliation takes place, it is the college's responsibility to take immediate action to stop the action(s).