Sexual Offense Policy

#occupybaltimore Sexual Offense Policy

Since its inception, #occupybaltimore has maintained a zero-tolerance policy against sexual harassment, abuse, and assault. We maintain that creating a safe space for all people is paramount to our goal of building community. We actively oppose sexual violence in all its personal, cultural, and systemic forms.

Procedure

Victims can alert the Security Team using the all-purpose call, "Round-up!" to ensure immediate physical protection and subsequent enforcement of our policy.

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted commentary or physical contact. It is the victim's prerogative to classify any action as sexual harassment, and to decide whether or not the harasser be ejected from #occupybaltimore. If the victim chooses to enforce the ejection policy, the harasser will be ordered not to return until the Safer Spaces Committee in conjunction with the Mediator’s Committee has reviewed the incident on the following day.

Instances of sexual abuse and assault will be handled according to the expressed desires of the victim. The Security and Medical teams are equipped with a list of resources, including contact information for the police, hospitals, sexual assault hotlines, and women's shelters. In these instances, #occupybaltimore welcomes the involvement of the Baltimore City Police and encourages victims to report crimes. We also recognize that the U.S. Justice System is flawed, especially when it comes to cases of sexual assault. If for any reason the victim feels uncomfortable with police involvement, their wishes will be respected.

Anyone reporting sexual assault, with or without police involvement, will have the support of the #occupybaltimore community. This includes but is not limited to medical assistance, transportation, protection, investigation, mediation and conflict resolution, and emotional support and counseling.

Resources
Baltimore City Police
- Emergency: 911
- Central District Precinct: 410-396-2411

TurnAround, Inc.
- Sexual Assault Response Hotline, 9am-7pm: 443-279-0379
- Local Office: 410-837-7000

Baltimore City Health Dept.
- Emergency Medical Care Team: 410-545-3229

Mercy Medical Center (Sexual Assault Center and Emergency Services)
- 410-332-9477

Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- Main: 410-550-0100
- Emergency : 410-550-0350

Sinai Hospital of Baltimore (24-hour crisis intervention)
- Main: 410-578-5678
- Emergency: 410-578-5000

University of Maryland Medical Center
- Emergency Room: 410-328-6722
- Pediatric Emergency: 410-328-6335, 410-328-6677
- Child Sexual Abuse: 410-328-5289
- Adolescent Clinic (Rape Team): 410-328-8336

RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network):
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
(1-800-656-4673)
- Online Hotline: www.online.rainn.org

House of Ruth (Emergency Shelter for Battered Women and Children)
- 24-hour Hotline: 410-889-7884
- Legal Services: 410-554-8463, 410-889-7790, 410-889-7791
- www.hruth.org

Child Protective Services
- Adults: 410-361-5000
- Children: 410-361-2235