If you become aware that someone in our University community has experienced or has been accused of discrimination, sex-based harassment (including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking), retaliation, and/or other civil-rights based offenses, take these steps:
Explain your duty to report: If you believe that someone is going to report prohibited conduct to you, it is important to disclose that you have a duty to report to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX. It is also important to explain that your duty as a mandated reporter stems from the University’s commitment to getting its community members the information and resources they need. While you cannot guarantee confidentiality, you can assure them that you will keep the matter as private as possible.
Quick link:
- Learn more about your role as a mandated reporter
- Sample language for syllabi and how to disclose your mandated reporter status in a conversation
Listen: It’s important for the other person to know that you care and, in addition to your duty to report, you want to help them however you can. Listen non-judgmentally and avoid pushing them to provide the entire story. Ask if they have any concerns about their safety or the safety of others.
Be Supportive: Don’t tell them what they should do. Explain that you want to connect them with support and information about their options.
If you are in a mandated reporter role, let them know you will contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX, who, in turn, will reach out to them with support and resources. Reassure them it is their decision whether or how they want to proceed with support from the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX.
Report: Contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX and report all known information. This should occur no later than 48-hours after receiving the report. If the end of the 48-hour reporting window falls on a weekend or university holiday, the mandatory reporter should report the incident as soon as possible on the next university business day.
You can file a report by calling (408) 551-3043, by emailing titleixadmin@scu.edu or by filling out the reporting form. If this is an emergency, contact 911.
If the impacted party is under the age of 18 and this is a case of suspected child abuse, report the incident to the County of Santa Clara Child Abuse Prevention Council by calling the Santa Clara County 24-hour Hotline: 1-833-SCC-KIDS (833-722-5437) or in the San Jose Area: (408) 299-2071.