What Are My Reporting Responsibilities?
All UC employees, that are not confidential (CARE, CAPS, and the EAP), are required to report sexual harassment and sexual violence to the Title IX Office if a student reports to them.
Faculty, Deans, and Supervisors are additionally required to report sexual harassment and sexual violence reported by faculty and staff.
The Title IX Office encourages staff and faculty to disclose their reporting obligations prior to receiving a report whenever possible and to promote awareness of confidential resources, see sample course language (for a syllabus or course overview presentation).
To learn more about specific reporting responsibilities, visit one of the links below:
I am a…
Navigating Reporting Requirements for Graduate Students
What are graduate student reporting responsibilities?
Graduate student employees, unless designated a confidential employee, must report to Title IX if they learn about sexual violence and/or sexual harassment involving a student (either as the complainant or respondent) during the course of their employment.
- Complainant – person alleged to have experienced prohibited contact
- Respondent – person alleged to have engaged in prohibited contact
What does “during the course of their employment” mean?
When you become aware of an incident during and through the course of your work. For example, if someone discloses to you because of your role as an employee (such as when you are the TA, GSI, reader, writing tutor, or a GSR in a lab with undergraduate students).
Download an infographic of graduate student reporting responsibilities and FAQs:
How do I let my students know I’m a mandated reporter?
Students may have different levels of comfort with formal reporting but might not know who is a mandated reporter and who is not.
If you are teaching a course as a Graduate Student Instructor or Teaching Assistant, or you are beginning to work with students in a lab, it is best practice to let students know of the different available resources to them. These resources can include Title IX, CAPS, and the confidential CARE Office.
When sharing resource information, you can let students know that you are required to report disclosures to Title IX. You can also share some of the benefits of creating reports, but also let students know that you are available to point students towards confidential resources (e.g., CARE) if they would prefer.
What are the benefits of creating a Title IX report?
Benefits can be…
- Having a record of report if the problem persists or escalates
- Having a record of report for persistent behaviors by the same respondent
- Having a record of report if complainant desires actions by Title IX in the future
- Receiving resource information from Title IX
- Impact of the report creates need for supportive measures in the future
How should I respond to a disclosure from a student?
- Evaluate their safety and call 911 if there is imminent danger or medical emergency
- Listen and offer support by asking things such as: "How can I help?", “What can I do to support you?”
- Avoid asking questions about the incident and instead focus on their safety and current needs.
- It is not your job to investigate and students may feel obligated to answer.
- The more information you collect, the more you are required to report.
- Explain that you will keep this private from others but that you must report to Title IX. Let them know they can expect an email from Title IX but they will get to choose if and how to proceed.
- Let them know that Title IX may provide safety and supportive measures without notifying the respondent.
- Refer them to CARE for confidential advocacy and support and/or CAPS for confidential counseling, and provide them with the Resources and Options Handout
- You can also refer them to the off-campus resource, Monarch Services at their 24-hour response line: (866) 900-4232.
- Make the report directly to Title IX, you can also offer to make the report together
How do I make a Title IX report?
Online: titleix.ucsc.edu using the online UC reporting link
Call: (831) 459-2462
In person (except during social distancing): 105 Kerr Hall
What happens after I make a report for someone?
After a report is made to the Title IX Office, the Title IX Office will provide outreach to the student.
- This outreach will include confidential resources and an invitation to meet.
The student is not required to respond to Title IX.
If a student chooses to respond, the Title IX office will work with the student to determine best responses. Best responses can include safety and supportive measures, alternative resolutions, or formal investigations.
- Reports are responded to from a lens of preventing sex discrimination, mitigating the impact, and preventing future recurrence.
Reporters are protected from retaliation.
I have some concerns about making a report…
Some key things to remember about Title IX reporting are that:
- Title IX reports are kept private and respondents will not be notified without the complainant’s involvement
- Reporters to Title IX are protected from retaliation
- Complainants can choose whether to respond to Title IX or not after a report has been made
- Some benefits and options about Title IX Reporting in the above sections
Staff Reporting Guide
Sexual harassment and sexual violence (sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking) are against the law and UC Policy.
The UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH) Policy requires all employees to inform Title IX of any report of sexual harassment or sexual violence they receive from anyone affiliated with the University.
The Title IX Office will work with the reporting party to determine how to proceed, with an emphasis on creating safety, connecting parties to resources, and informing parties of their rights and options.
Click here to review the UC Policy.
REPORTING FOR NON-SUPERVISORY EMPLOYEES
If in the course of your work, you become aware that a student has experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking, you must promptly contact the UCSC Title IX Office using this online reporting link or by calling (831) 459-2462.
If the situation involves any immediate danger to health or safety, call 911.
REPORTING FOR SUPERVISORS, MANAGERS, HR, AND ACADEMIC PERSONNEL
If, in the course of your work, you get a report of sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking, you must promptly contact the UCSC Title IX Office using this online reporting link or by calling (831) 459-2462.
If the situation involves any immediate danger to health or safety, call 911.
You do not need to be certain that the incident constitutes sexual harassment or sexual violence and you should not investigate.
The Title IX Officer will assess the information and determine the appropriate next steps.
DETAILS YOU MUST REPORT
You must share with the Title IX Office whatever information has been shared with you, including the names of any individuals involved, their contact information, and the details of the incident.
You should not press the individuals involved for information that they do not want to share.
REQUESTS FOR CONFIDENTIALITY
If a student requests to speak to you confidentially, you can say something like:
“I want to help but I want to remind you that I am required to report any incidences of sexual harassment or sexual violence to the Title IX office of the University. I do this because it's my obligation, but more importantly, I do this because I want to be sure that you are kept safe and informed of the resources and your rights and options. Title IX will reach out to you via email and you can decide whether you want to meet with them.”
You should also remind them about confidential resources, for instance:
“If you want to talk confidentially, the CARE Office and CAPS are confidential resources that I can refer you to. If you decide to talk to me, I will do my best to help you and will keep what you say private, only talking to Title IX and my supervisor to ensure that you get the support that you need."
CONFIDENTIAL SUPPORT
If a student who has experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment tells you they are unsure what to do next, refer them to the confidential CARE Advocates who can help them to explore options and provide support. You can also refer them to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or the EAP if they are an employee.
You must provide them with a copy of the resources and options handout which can be found here.
REPORT
Anyone can report a possible Title IX incident using this online reporting link or by calling (831) 459-2462.
Reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment can also be made, depending on the wishes of the complainant, to the UCSC Police Department (831) 459-2231 or the appropriate law enforcement agency depending on where the crime was committed.
When sexual violence has been reported, responsible employees should respect the desire of the complainant with regards to calling law enforcement, unless there is an immediate safety or medical threat.
If there is an immediate safety need or medical concern, responsible employees should call 911.
AMNESTY
To encourage reporting, and because alcohol and other drugs are often involved in sexual violence reports, neither student complainants nor student witnesses in an investigation will be subject to discipline for violations of the student conduct policy at or near the time of the incident with a few exceptions:
- Conduct placed the health or safety of another at risk
- Plagiarism, cheating, or academic dishonesty
- Egregious conduct, such as the sale of drugs or providing alcohol to an under-aged person.
Faculty Reporting Guide
Sexual harassment and sexual violence (sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking) are against the law and UC Policy.
The UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH) Policy requires faculty, supervisors, deans, and managers to inform Title IX of any report of sexual harassment or sexual violence they receive from anyone affiliated with the University.
The Title IX Office will work with the reporting party to determine how to proceed, with an emphasis on creating safety, connecting parties to resources, and informing parties of their rights and options.
Click here to review the UC Policy.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT REPORTING
If you become aware of an incident of sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking, you must promptly file an online report or contact the UCSC Title IX Office at (831) 459-2462.
If the situation involves any immediate danger to health or safety, call 911 first and contact Title IX later.
You do not need to be certain that the incident constitutes sexual harassment or sexual violence and you should not investigate.
The Title IX Officer will assess the information and determine the appropriate next steps.
DETAILS YOU MUST REPORT
You must share with the Title IX Officer whatever information has been shared with you, including the names of any individuals involved, their contact information, and the details of the incident.
You should not press the individuals involved for information that they do not want to share.
REQUESTS FOR CONFIDENTIALITY
If a student, staff member, faculty member or other person affiliated with UCSC requests to speak to you confidentially, you can say something like:
“I want to help but I want to remind you that I am required to report any incidences of sexual harassment or sexual violence to the Title IX office of the University. I do this because it's my obligation, but more importantly, I do this because I want to be sure that you are kept safe and informed of the resources and your rights and options. Title IX will reach out to you via email and you can decide whether you want to meet with them.”
You should also remind them about confidential resources, for instance:
“If you want to talk confidentially, the CARE Office and CAPS or the EAP are confidential resources that I can refer you to. If you decide to talk to me, I will do my best to help you and will keep what you say private, only talking to Title IX and my supervisor to ensure that you get the support that you need."
CONFIDENTIAL SUPPORT
If a person who has experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment tells you they are unsure what to do next, refer them to the confidential CARE Advocates who can help them to explore options and provide support.
You can also refer them to additional confidential resources: CAPS if they are a student or the EAP if they are an employee.
You are also required to provide them with a copy of the resources and options handout which can be found here.
REPORTING
Anyone can report a possible Title IX incident using this online reporting link or by calling (831) 459-2462.
Reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment can also be made, depending on the wishes of the complainant, to the UCSC Police Department (831) 459-2231 or the appropriate law enforcement agency depending on where the crime was committed.
In cases of sexual violence, responsible employees should respect the desire of the complainant with regards to calling law enforcement, unless there is an immediate safety or medical threat.
AMNESTY
To encourage reporting, and because alcohol and other drugs are often involved in sexual violence reports, neither student complainants nor student witnesses in an investigation will be subject to discipline for violations of the student conduct policy at or near the time of the incident with a few exceptions:
- Conduct placed the health or safety of another at risk
- Plagiarism, cheating, or academic dishonesty
- Egregious conduct, such as the sale of drugs or providing alcohol to an under-aged person.
COURSE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
We encourage faculty to include a disclosure statement regarding reporting responsibilities in their syllabi and course overview presentations. For suggested language click here.
