Understanding Sexual Misconduct and Reporting at Northwestern University
This PowerPoint presentation provides information on the Sexual Misconduct Policy at Northwestern University, including definitions of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, dating and domestic violence, and sexual harassment. It also outlines reporting responsibilities and resources available on and off campus for those affected by sexual misconduct.
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Sexual Misconduct and Reporting: What you need to know Questions about this PowerPoint? Contact Kate Harrington-Rosen Equity Outreach and Education Specialist Office of Equity kate@northwestern.edu (847) 467 7426
Agenda 1.Review Sexual Misconduct Policy 2.Overview of confidential resources on campus and off-campus 3.Understanding your reporting responsibilities 1
Sexual assault Sexual Penetration without consent Sexual contact without consent Incest Statutory rape 3
Sexual exploitation Taking sexual advantage of another person for the benefit of oneself or a third party when consent is not present. Examples: Slipping a drug in someone s drink Recording sexual activity without consent Distributing sexual images without consent Indecent exposure, voyeurism 4
Stalking Knowingly engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that one knows or should know would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety (or the safety of a third party) or suffer substantial emotional distress. Examples: Following someone Sending unwanted letters, gifts, emails Monitoring phone or computer use Cyberstalking 5
Dating and domestic violence Physical abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, or sexual abuse between persons in an intimate relationship where the conduct is so severe, pervasive, or persistent as to significantly interfere with an individual's ability to learn and/or work or cause substantial emotional distress, when judged both objectively (meaning that a reasonable person would find the behavior to be abusive) and subjectively (meaning the impacted individual felt the behavior was abusive). Physical abuse Emotional or verbal abuse Sexual abuse 6
Sexual harassment Any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Two categories: Quid pro quo: Submission to or rejection of such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of a person s employment, academic standing, or participation in any University program/activity Hostile Environment: Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with, limits, or deprives an individual from participating in or benefitting from the University s education or employment programs/activities. Existence of hostile environment is to be judged both objectively and subjectively. 7
Sexual harassment Examples: Pressure for dating, romantic, or intimate relationships Unwelcome sexual advances, touching, kissing Pressure for or forced sexual activity Unnecessary references to parts of the body Sexual innuendo or humor 8
As an employee at Northwestern, you are required to immediately report any sexual misconduct of which you become aware during the scope of your role 10
What happens when you make a report to the Office of Equity? 1. The Office of Equity receives the report 2. The student, staff, or faculty member who experienced the misconduct receives an outreach email containing information about resources and options, and an invitation to meet 3. The person decides whether to respond or not. Generally, they are not obligated to meet with an Office of Equity staff member if they do not want to 11
The Office of Equity can provide: Connection to support services, confidential resources Interim measures and accommodations, including changes to work or school schedule, no-contact directives, changes to living arrangements Informal action such a training for a specific department Formal resolution through investigation 12
Confidential resources on campus Some people will prefer to talk with a confidential resource about their experience. In that instance, you can direct them to the following resources. CARE (Center for Awareness, Response, and Education): 847-491-2054; care@northwestern.edu. Serves students. CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services):847-491-2151 (24-hrs); northwestern.edu/counseling. Serves students. Religious + Spiritual Life: 847-491-7256; spiritual.life@northwestern.edu. Serves students Faculty Wellness Program: 312-695-2323; northwestern.edu/ provost/faculty- resources/work-life/faculty-wellness.html. Serves faculty. 13
Confidential resources off-campus Rape Victim Advocates: 312-443-9603; rapevictimadvocates.org YWCA Evanston: 847-864-8445; ywca.org/evanston Center on Halsted: 773-871-2273; centeronhalsted.org Center for Contextual Change: 847-676-4447 ext 304; centerforcontextualchange.org Porchlight Counseling Services: 773-750-7077; porchlightcounseling.org Employee Assistance Program: 855-547-1851 (24 hr); northwestern.edu/hr/work- life/employee-assistance-program.html. Serves employees only (not students) 14
How to respond if someone tells you they ve experienced sexual misconduct Listen: Confirm the person s safety. If they re not safe, help them create a plan to get to a safe place Provide non-judgmental support. Avoid questions that suggest blame Respond with compassion and sensitivity 15
How to respond if someone tells you they ve experienced sexual misconduct Refer: Review reporting options with the person Direct them to on-campus and/or off-campus confidential resources 16
How to respond if someone tells you they ve experienced sexual misconduct Report: Explain your obligation to report the information to the Office of Equity Report online at bit.ly/NUReportSexualMisconduct Remind the person that they will receive an email from the Office of Equity 17
Anticipating and responding to disclosures Explain your reporting responsibilities before someone discloses to you Explain that though you are not confidential, you will keep the information private Let them know they will be contacted by the Office of Equity Assess their needs, offer to make an appointment with CARE, CAPS, or another resource if appropriate 18
But how do I talk about my reporting obligations? Before you tell me anything else, I want to make sure you know that I m required to report incidents of sexual misconduct to the University, so that anyone who has experienced harm can get the help they need. 19
But how do I talk about my reporting obligations? What you ve just shared is really concerning, and I want to make sure you have access to all the information so you can determine what s best for you. 20
But how do I talk about my reporting obligations? If you d like to talk to someone confidential instead, I can help you make an appointment at CAPS, CARE, or Religious and Spiritual Life. 21
Practice How would you respond if a student or colleague said this to you? 1) My girlfriend has been getting really angry at me lately. Sometimes she yells and it s scary. 2) My friend is wondering if she should report something to the Office of Equity. 3) Are you confidential? 22
Do I need to report if I heard the information indirectly: my friend s roommate was assaulted at a party last night ? Yes. The incident happened off-campus? Yes. The incident happened before the person was a student or staff member at Northwestern? Yes. I overheard the information in a public space? Yes. 23
Anonymous reporting Another reporting option Can also be used to report other types of harassment or discrimination EthicsPoint: northwestern.edu/ethics or 866-294-3545 Does not fulfill mandatory reporting obligations 25
Recap You are required to report any sexual misconduct of which you become aware, if it involves members of the NU community Report sexual misconduct online at bit.ly/NUReportSexual Misconduct You have options, and support. Reach out to the Office of Equity as needed: kate@northwestern.edu; (847) 467 7426 26
