SafeCampus

UW’s Title IX Protocol

The University recognizes that Title IX sexual misconduct affects people of all genders, sexual orientations, races, religions, abilities, and socioeconomic statuses. Title IX sexual misconduct includes sexual assault, relationship violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and related retaliation.

At the UW, we believe it’s important that survivors are made aware of their rights and all of their options so they can make decisions for themselves. An individual who has experienced harm is the person best positioned to determine which options will help them feel safer, supported, and able to heal. Sometimes that includes making a formal complaint, and sometimes it does not.

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Learn more at the UW’s Title IX page.

If you have experienced sexual misconduct

If you have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, related retaliation or other forms of sexual misconduct, you can learn more about your rights and the resources available to you at the University’s Sexual Assault Resources webpage.

An important resource is the UW’s confidential advocates. If you want to talk to someone immediately, you can always call SafeCampus.

If you are aware of sexual misconduct

If you are a UW student employee, staff, or faculty member who becomes aware of a situation that involves sexual assault, relationship violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, related retaliation, or other forms of sexual misconduct, you are strongly encouraged to follow the UW Title IX Response and Support Protocol (see below).

If you are a student or community member who becomes aware of a situation that involves sexual assault, relationship violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, related retaliation, or other forms of sexual misconduct, you are also welcome to contact SafeCampus for support and resource information.

If you have been notified that you are a Title IX Official Required to Report, you must contact SafeCampus when you become aware of sexual misconduct or potential sexual misconduct. You can learn more about this designation on the Title IX FAQ page.

UW's Title IX response and support protocol

At the UW, we know it can be challenging to navigate all of the resources available and get connected to the right support. The UW Title IX response and support protocol is in place for when student employees, staff, or faculty learn about sexual misconduct.

At the UW, our first priorities are:

  • Getting support to the person who has experienced harm
  • Ensuring that they are aware of all of their rights and options — so they can decide what next steps, if any, they want to take

When you learn that a member of our community has experienced sexual misconduct, you are encouraged to call SafeCampus. You can call SafeCampus anonymously and choose not to share your name or the name of the person you are calling about.

By following the UW Title IX response and support protocol, you are not making a formal complaint to the University — rather, you are ensuring that someone who has been harmed has professional support and the information they need to make decisions that are right for them.

You can also view and distribute A Guide for UW Employees.

What happens when I call SafeCampus about a Title IX situation?

  • We will assess for any immediate safety concerns and provide consultation on the next steps if needed to address imminent concerns.
  • We will consult with you on your role and any other next steps you need to take.
  • We will provide the impacted person with information on their rights and resources via email, after determining that an email is a safe form of communication.
  • We will share the impacted person’s name with a confidential campus-based advocate who will reach out to offer confidential support. The person impacted does not need to engage with the advocate. It is their choice.
    If the impacted person does not want to share their name, we will consult with you about other ways to share about rights and resources in a way that respects their choice.
  • We will provide emotional support to you and referrals to additional support resources as needed. We understand that many employees have not received training on handling disclosures of sensitive or difficult information, and may experience emotional impacts themselves following such disclosures.
  • We will share the information received with the UW Title IX Coordinator, who is responsible for assessing any risk to the larger community and identifying patterns and systemic issues related to Title IX.

Am I a "mandated reporter" regarding Title IX?

If you become aware that a student or employee has experienced sexual misconduct, you are encouraged to initiate the University’s Title IX protocol.

If you have been notified that you are a Title IX Official Required to Report, you must contact SafeCampus when you become aware of sexual misconduct or potential sexual misconduct. To eliminate any confusion, we ask all employees to use the Title IX protocol.

Title IX reporting expectations can look different at different colleges and universities. Please refer to any additional guidance you have been given from your supervisor, department, or academic unit or contact the Title IX Office for more information.

Training videos

To learn more about preventing or responding to Title IX situations, view an online video on the Title IX Education and Prevention Site.