What are my reporting obligations as a UC employee?
All UC employees who are not designated Confidential Resources are Responsible Employees (/reporting/mandatory-reporting- for-uc-employees) and are required to report incidents of Prohibited Conduct, as defined by the UC SVSH Policy and the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, to the Title IX Compliance and Discrimination and Harassment Office (Title IX/DHP Office).
Can I submit an anonymous report?
Yes. Complainants and non-Responsible Employee reporters may submit an online report to the Title IX/DHP Office without identifying themselves. To do so, insert the word “Anonymous” in the name fields of the online reporting form. While anonymous reports are acceptable, it should be noted that a lack of sufficient information provided may limit the response options available for the Title IX/DHP Office to pursue.
Will my report be kept confidential?
The Title IX/DHP Office is an “office of record,” meaning that while privacy is protected to the extent permitted by law and University policies, information shared with the office is not confidential. The University must balance the privacy interests of parties involved in a report against the need to gather information and respond to reports of discrimination and harassment. The University will limit disclosures to what is reasonably necessary to ensure fair resolution processes and provide accommodations and interim or protective measures to parties as needed.
Will the respondent (person reported to have engaged in prohibited conduct) be immediately notified of my report?
No. The Title IX/DHP Office does not immediately notify respondents when reports are received.
The Title IX/DHP Office works with complainants throughout the Initial Assessment process, prior to initiating a University response process. Generally, respondents are not notified of allegations until a University response process is initiated.
Is an investigation or formal response process initiated for every report received by the Title IX/DHP Office?
No. The Title IX/DHP Office does not initiate an investigation or formal response process for every report received. Each report is assessed by Title IX/DHP Office staff to determine the most appropriate response option. In general, the Title IX/DHP Office strives to honor the wishes of the complainant and will likely not pursue a response option for cases in which the complainant has declined to participate. Complainants, if identity and contact information are available to the Title IX/DHP Office, are notified before investigations or any other response processes are initiated.
I want to make a report, but am concerned that I will be retaliated against in some way. Will I be protected from retaliation?
University policies prohibit retaliation for reporting and/or participating in a Title IX/DHP Office response process. Retaliation prohibition protects all participants in a response process. Retaliation will be treated as a separate violation of the applicable University policy, and any student or employee who engages in retaliation may be subject to discipline.
Retaliation is an adverse action against a person based on their report or other disclosure of alleged prohibited conduct to a University employee, their participation in, refusal to participate in, or assistance with the investigation, reporting, remedial, or disciplinary processes provided for in University policies, or conduct that would discourage a reasonable person from reporting prohibited conduct. Retaliation may include conduct such as threats, intimidation, harassment, discrimination, and coercion.