You are likely a mandatory reporter. Reach out to the Office for Respect at 404-727-1514 for 24/7 guidance in supporting a student and encourage the student to speak with a confidential counselor advocate, especially if they are in crisis.
If you are supporting a friend or family member who has experienced any form of sexual assault (including inappropriate touch), sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and/or stalking) believe them without looking for proof and/or reason. It is not your job and you can cause more emotional/psychological harm by asking probing or investigative questions.
Helpful Strategies and Considerations
Students experiencing sexual and relationship violence likely have had important choices taken away from them
Share your care and concern for them privately and remind them that there are resources here at Emory to help them with whatever is going on.
Do not assume to know what's going on (i.e. sexual assault) by directing them to only one resource. Tell them that students often benefit from talking with confidential counselors, providing information on both the Office of Respect (specialized) as well as CAPS (general). If appropriate, offer to walk them over to the Office of Respect or connect them via email.
Call the Office of Respect at404-727-1514if you'd like to consult on ways to support the student or for your own support in navigating
Remind them that you are a mandatory reporter and will need to share whatever they share with you.
They need to know up front that as an employee, you are a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and will need to complete a Title IX/Clery report with any details that are told to you. They need to know this report is to help keep them, as well as others, safe. Limiting the amount of information given to you though helps them from having to repeat a traumatic narrative repeatedly though.
Interrupt if needed if you haven't reminded them of your mandatory reporter status. While this may feel rude, awkward, or like something that will make the student feel like you don't care, it is very important to ensure the student makes informed choices with their personal information.
Try to limit how much detail they share with you. The student will likely need to retell their story many times in the future, whether that be for a reporting/investigative process, and/or in confidential counseling for their healing process.
Even in knowing this information, the student still may choose to share more with you, which at that point will be their choice. Honor it as much as possible
It is not your job, nor is it helpful, to ask probing questions to "determine" if something happened or not, nor do you need to understand why. Validate their experience with statements like, "I'm so sorry this happened/you are going through this".
Avoid giving advice. The Office of Respect has experienced and knowledgeable counselor/advocates that can help them navigate all of their paths to healing, including setting up a consultation with Department of Title IX. Together, we will work to provide a student-led approach to ensure their safety, as well as their needs to succeed in their academic pursuits at Emory and far beyond graduation.
Don’t Forget:
Take care of yourself. It can be challenging or emotionally draining to support someone who has experienced something traumatic. We encourage you to contact us at the Office of Respect (respect@emory.edu), and we can connect you with national and local professional counseling resources.
LANGUAGE TO INCLUDE IN YOUR SYLLABUS
Below are two options for text you can include in your syllabus to provide information about support related to sexual and relationship harm on campus. Feel free to directly copy/paste:
Option 1 (Short):
“The Office of Respect provides confidential support for concerns related to sexual and relationship-based harm (including sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking). They can also provide information about reporting options, assistance with academic accommodation requests, and more. Their 24-hour Hotline is 404-727-1514. For non-urgent concerns they can be reached at respect@emory.edu. You may find information about the Office of Respect online at https://respect.emory.edu/. ”
Option 2 (Expanded):
“Emory University is committed to creating a safe learning and working environment, free of discrimination, harassment, and violence, that supports the academic and professional growth of students, staff, and faculty.
All students (undergraduate, graduate & professional) who have experienced some form of sexual and/or relationship-based harm, regardless of when the harm occurred, have resources available to them. Help is available even if the person who caused the harm is not part of the Emory community (student, staff, faculty).
The University Office of Respect provides confidential support for concerns related to sexual and relationship-based harm. They can provide assistance with academic accommodation requests, discuss options if you are considering making a report, counseling, and more. Their 24-hour Hotline is 404-727-1514. You may find information about the Office of Respect online at https://respect.emory.edu/.
Alleged sexual harassment or misconduct can be reported to the Department of Title IX (a non-confidential resource) by submitting a report via their website and they will follow up with you. The Sex and Gender-Based Harassment and Discrimination Policy (8.2) can also be reviewed on the Department of Title IX website.
Alleged criminal conduct may also be reported to law enforcement by calling Emory Police Department.”