Issue link: http://howardcc.uberflip.com/i/858454
POLICIES 83 spouse or intimate partner, by a person with whom a child is shared in common, by a person cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the individual as a spouse or intimate partner, by any other person similarly situated to a spouse, or any other person against an adult or youth protected from those acts by domestic or family violence laws of Maryland. Domestic violence includes threats or a pattern of abusive behavior of a physical or sexual nature by one partner intended to control, intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, frighten, coerce or injure the other. 7. Stalking means the intentional, repetitive or menacing pursuit, following, harassment, or other interference with the peace or safety of another person or their immediate family members; including cyber- stalking. The definition of stalking also includes intentionally following another person in or about a public place without their consent or engaging in a course of conduct that alarms or seriously annoys the person. Stalking, harassment, and cyber-stalking behaviors may include, but are not limited to: (1) repeated, unwanted/unsolicited contact that includes face-to-face contact, telephone calls, voice messages, text messages, electronic mail, instant messages, written letters, or unwanted gifts; (2) repeated, unwanted/ unsolicited communication on public and college community internet sites; (3) disturbing online messages; (4) persistent physical approaches or requests for dates, meetings, etc.; (5) threats that create fear for one's life or safety, or fear for the safety of one's family, friends, roommates, or others; (6) unwanted touching; (7) pursuing or following another person, repeatedly showing up or waiting outside a person's home, classroom, place of employment, or vehicle; (8) using surveillance or other types of observation, either in person or through the use of electronic devices or software to track or obtain private information; (9) harassing another person, either in person or through a third party; (10) using threatening gestures; (11) trespassing or breaking into a person's vehicle or residence; or (12) vandalism or destruction of a person's personal property. B. Definition of Consent: Consent is defined as permission to act. It may be given by words or actions, so long as those words or actions create clear, voluntary, mutually understood permission to engage in (and the conditions of) sexual activity. Consent must meet all of the following standards: • Active, not passive. Silence, in and of itself, cannot be interpreted as consent. There is no requirement that an individual resist a sexual act or advance, but resistance is a clear demonstration of non-consent. • Given freely. A person cannot give consent under force, threats, or unreasonable pressure (coercion). Coercion includes continued pressure after an individual has made it clear that he/she does not want to engage in the behavior, he/she wants to stop the behavior, or that he/she does not want to go beyond a certain point of sexual interaction. • Provided knowingly. Legally valid consent to sexual activity cannot be given by: • A person under the legal age to consent (16 years old in Maryland) or