Who Can I Talk To?

For Respondents (Accused)

If you are a victim of sexual discrimination, harassment or violence, we encourage you to speak with someone as soon as possible.

It is your decision to determine with whom you would like to speak about the incident, and the path you choose – whether remaining confidential, launching an investigation or filing a police report. It is entirely up to you.

The Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office is available to ensure you have the support you need, and to address any issues you choose to report, quickly, effectively, respectfully and based on your personal preferences.

Student Resource Guide

Unsure about making a report?

If you are uncertain whether you would like to file a formal complaint, we recommend you contact a member of the RSVP Center staff to discuss the options that are available to you. You may also opt to contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Reporting anonymously

If you choose not to file a report with the police or with the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office, it is strongly encouraged that you to file an anonymous or confidential report through the RSVP Center anonymous report form, WUPD’s Silent Witness Program, or the Bias Report and Support System (BRSS).

This will help the university identify misconduct patterns regarding a particular location, method or offender, and will also ensure we can notify the greater campus community to potential dangers if needed. Those who report anonymously can choose to include contact details or choose to omit them if they do not want the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office to contact them.

Levels of confidentiality

There are three groups of employees, each of whom have the ability to offer different levels of confidentiality – those who are able to maintain confidentiality except in certain situations, those who are required to report incidents to the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office, and those who are privileged by law to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

Confidential resources

These groups are able to speak with victims in confidence. They may report an incident that occurred at WashU for the Clery Report but they are not required to provide identifying information. Disclosures to these employees will not trigger an investigation into an incident against the victim’s wishes. They include:

While trained staff in these offices are able to maintain a victim’s confidentiality within the realm of WashU, they may be required by state law to report incidents of abuse involving a minor, potential self harm, or imminent threats to others. These individuals might be required to testify or provide documents if criminal or civil litigation is initiated and subpoenas are issued.

 If an alleged perpetrator poses a serious and immediate threat to the WashU community, a timely warning may be issued by the university but any identifying information about the victim would not be included.

 Mandatory reporters

These employees, including all faculty and most staff members, are required to report all of the details of an incident, including identifying information of both the victim and alleged perpetrator, to the Title IX Coordinator or Associate Title IX Coordinator.

If a victim reports an incident to this type of an employee, referred to under federal policy as mandatory reporters, they are required to report the incident to their supervisor or a member of the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office.

At that point, the incident will be investigated unless the victim requests to maintain confidentiality.

When confidentiality is requested, the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office will not formally investigate the incident or take disciplinary action against a reported perpetrator (except in special circumstances); however, victims will still receive necessary protection and support.

Assistance includes referrals to other university administrators for academic support or accommodations; access to disability services or health/mental health services; changes in living, working or course schedules; referrals to victim advocacy organizations, legal services, and/or visa and immigration services.

Privileged employees

These employees are required to maintain confidentiality unless, by law, they are required to disclose (e.g., child abuse, self-harm or an imminent threat to the WashU community). Speaking with them is sometimes called a “privileged communication.”