How to help a student or employee who has been sexually assaulted
- Someone who has been sexually assaulted or raped may not disclose using legal or specific words when describing what happened. Try to identify obvious disclosures, indirect terms, phrases, or behaviors.
- Inform the individual, upfront, that as a mandated reporter any information you receive regarding gender discrimination or sexual violence will be reported to the Title IX Coordinator.
- Listen to what the individual is telling you. Be calm and supportive as sometimes assault survivors need to talk about what happened and may be overwhelmed by any questions. Be careful not to push or search for specific details.
- Do not blame the survivor or use any language that may sound judgmental or suggest that it is the survivor’s fault.
- Be sensitive and understanding that the individual is in distress and most likely dealing with a wide array of overwhelming feelings (i.e. anger, sadness, shame, guilt).
- Employee Expectations – University of Mount Union has designated all employees as “Mandated Reporters” who will report Title IX Reportable Offenses such as gender discrimination or sexual assault to the Title IX Coordinator.
- Direct the student to this Title IX website for more information.
Why do I have to tell the Title IX coordinator?
Title IX requires that any notice of sexual violence or gender discrimination be forwarded to the Title IX Coordinator for further review. The Title IX Coordinator needs to be aware, in order for the University of Mount Union to maintain compliance with Title IX, the Clery Act, and VAWA.
The Coordinator determines:
- If there is a threat to anyone else in the campus community
- If the student is enduring a “hostile environment” due to the situation.
- If a formal investigation needs to follow.
- How to stop the behavior, prevent its reoccurrence and to remedy the impact.
- If it needs to be reported for Clery Act purposes.