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Why do I have to report a sexual assault or sexual harassment incident?<\/strong> Second, Title IX of the United States Department of Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities.\u00a0 Sexual harassment, which includes acts of sexual violence, is a form of sexual discrimination.\u00a0 A student who is sexually harassed or assaulted may also suffer from unequal access to educational opportunities and may be afraid to come to campus, go to class, or visit a faculty or staff member\u2019s office.\u00a0 While statistics on sexual violence on campuses across the nation have increased, it is still believed that these cases are severely underreported. \u00a0In April 2011, The US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights distributed a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL).\u00a0 The DCL expanded the required steps that schools (colleges and K-12) must take if there is a violation of Title IX to now include employees of college campuses as responsible employees<\/strong>.<\/p>\n What do I have to report?<\/strong> When do I let the student know that I am required to report?<\/strong> \u201cI need to tell you that I am considered a responsible employee. \u00a0I must inform the university an incident has occurred.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to scare or intimidate you, but your personal safety and overall health is our number one concern.\u00a0 The reason we do this report is to make sure you are able to get all the help and support you need.\u00a0 If you do not want details of what occurred reported or are not interested in making a complaint at this time, you have the right to maintain your privacy. \u00a0I will only report what you confide in me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n How should I respond to a student who reports to me?<\/strong> All of the above options are available to the student, and can be pursued individually or simultaneously. \u00a0An Advocate at Abby\u2019s House<\/a> can help talk through the options with the student and can accompany the student through the process of accessing any of these reporting services<\/p>\n You might offer to walk the student over to the Student Health and Counseling.\u00a0 Let the student know about the services of Abby\u2019s House<\/a>, Sable House<\/a> and Center for Hope and Safety<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tell the student about crisis hotlines they can call 24-hours a day:<\/p>\n
First and foremost, WOU strives to provide a safe environment in which students can pursue their education free from the detrimental effects of sexual misconduct.\u00a0 If there is a culture of sexual violence in our community, then we are not meeting this effort.\u00a0 Reporting incidents of sexual misconduct help us in meeting this effort.<\/p>\n
If a student reports that they has been sexually victimized then you are required by Title IX to report all information you are given to WOU’s Title IX Coordinator.\u00a0 Even if the assault occurs on-campus or off-campus, if it involves WOU students, it must be reported.\u00a0 For your convenience, there is an online form<\/a> that you can fill out.<\/p>\n
If a student begins to tell you about a sexual assault or sexual harassment incident you should interrupt the student and explain you are mandated to report any information s\/he confides in you.\u00a0 Being prepared by having the statement below on your syllabus or in your office may help to keep misunderstandings from occurring.<\/p>\n\n
The most important things to do are to listen, believe the student, ask if the student feels safe, and determine how to help with physical and mental health.\u00a0 Encourage the student to report the incident to one or more of the following options:<\/p>\n\n
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