When someone shares that they have experienced discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, your response matters.
A student or employee may reach out to you because they want to:
- Share what is happening and feel less alone in their experience.
- Stop the violent, harassing, or discriminatory behavior.
- Learn more about available resources and reporting options.
- Request supportive measures that may include academic or workplace adjustments.
- Access medical care or seek treatment for injuries from an assault.
It’s not always easy to know how to respond or provide support, but you don’t have to do it alone.
A Civil Rights Case Manager can help you respond with care and provide guidance, resources, and information about resolution options. Support is available for both you and the person who shared their experience.
All UW staff, faculty, students, and members of the public are encouraged to share concerns and request a consultation using the Civil Rights & Title IX Reporting Form. Unless you are a University employee with reporting obligations, you can choose to remain anonymous or withhold the identity of the individuals involved. Visit Make a Report to learn more about Civil Rights and Title IX reporting and available support.
FAQs
Responding with care when someone shares their experience of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct is crucial to helping them feel supported and ensuring they have access to resources. Here’s a framework to guide you through the process:
- Clarify your role: If you are an employee with reporting obligations, gently pause the conversation. Tell the person that, depending on what they share, you may need to report the information to the University’s Civil Rights Compliance Office. Explain that a case manager will contact them to offer support and share information about available resources. It is their choice if they want to respond or how they choose to engage.
- Validate: Everyone responds differently to experiences of violence, harassment, and discrimination. Acknowledge that their response is valid, and reassure them that they’re doing the right thing by coming to you for support.
- Listen closely: You may have ideas about what should happen next or feel the urge to gather more details. Instead, focus on how they are feeling and what they need. Let them guide the conversation at their own pace.
- Connect to support: They may feel overwhelmed, isolated, or uncertain about what to do next. Reassure them that help is available at UW, and that you can connect them to the appropriate resources. If you are making a report, explain what information you will be sharing.
- Consult & take care of yourself: Consult with the CRC office if you are unsure what to do next. You can best support others when you take care of your own well-being and remain aware of your reactions. Seek help for yourself if needed.
- Students: Students: You may contact the UW Bothell Counseling Center, UW Seattle Counseling Center, UW Tacoma Psychological and Wellness Services, or the UW Husky Helpline.
- Employees: You may contact the Washington State Employee Assistance Program.
“Thank you for trusting me with this information. You are not alone, and support is available. As part of my role at UW, I am required to share this information with the University’s Civil Rights Compliance Office. This ensures you can access support, resources, and information about your options.”
- If you are including the impacted individual’s name when reporting: “After I make the report, a case manager will contact you directly. You are not required to respond to them—how you choose to proceed is up to you.”
- If you are not including the impacted individual’s name when reporting: “After I make the report, a case manager will follow up with me and provide information, which I will then share with you.”
Visit Make a Report and Employee Reporting Obligations to learn more.
“Thank you for trusting me with this information. You are not alone, and support is available. While I am not obligated to report what you shared, I want you to know that connecting with the University’s Civil Rights Compliance Office is an option. A Civil Rights Case Manager can help you navigate this situation and provide information about available resources and options. Would that be helpful to you right now?”
Visit Make a Report to learn more.