Report Harassment, Discrimination, or Sexual Assault

Conduct in violation of the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy should be reported promptly by all students, employees, applicants for admission and employment, visitors, or contractors to the Title IX Coordinator or any member of the Title IX Team, or officials with authority or responsible employees. Any person may file a Formal Complaint, as defined in this policy, of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment. The written and signed Formal Complaint must be remitted to the Title IX Coordinator. The Formal Complaint shall be treated as a request for the University to investigate the allegations set forth in the complaint in accordance with the Title IX Complaint Resolution Procedures, unless otherwise informed by the Complainant.

A report or formal complaint may be made in person, by mail, by telephone, or by e-mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report or complaint. Contact options listed (telephone number, e-mail address, or by office mailing address) for the Title IX Coordinator may be used at any time, including during non-business hours.

All employees, other than the confidential employees indicated in this policy, who receive such reports or complaints must immediately notify the Title IX Coordinator and should not undertake any independent efforts to determine whether or not the report or complaint has merit before reporting it to the Title IX Coordinator.

The Title IX Coordinator may file a Formal Complaint on behalf of the University. Such action will normally be taken in limited circumstances involving serious or repeated conduct or where the alleged perpetrator may pose a continuing threat to the University community. 

Criminal Reporting

If a victim is in immediate danger or needs immediate attention, the individual should contact 911 or use the emergency call box (blue emergency lights) to connect directly to the campus police station. Some conduct in violation of this policy may also be a crime under Virginia law. Individuals are encouraged to report incidents of sexual harassment, stalking, and dating or domestic violence to law enforcement; even if the reporting individual is not certain if the conduct constitutes a crime. VSU will provide assistance to victims in notifying law enforcement if the victim so chooses. Crimes dealing with minors must be reported to law enforcement. Reports of policy violations made to campus police will automatically be referred to the Title IX Coordinator for investigation whether the complainant chooses to pursue criminal charges or not.