The University of Washington’s partnership with hazing reporting platform RealResponse has been extended through 2031, thanks to renewed funding from the Student Technology Fee.
The funding will allow the UW to continue to use RealResponse in hazing reporting and response, providing vital consistency in hazing prevention and education, said Alex Salemme, hazing prevention and response specialist in Community Standards & Student Conduct (CSSC). The UW began using RealResponse in 2025.
“This funding extension really shows that there’s student buy-in with this tool, and that students believe in it,” Salemme said. “It also shows that RealResponse isn’t going away – that students can rely on it to report hazing. We’re very grateful to the STF committee for funding us.”
What is RealResponse?
RealResponse offers anonymous reporting via text, email or WhatsApp for anyone on campus who experiences or witnesses hazing. Reporters can attach screenshots, photos and videos that show the reported behavior.
“RealResponse is great because it gives the UW a view of trends on campus and how we can protect our students,” Salemme said. “With RealResponse, we’re getting information in real time so we can take appropriate action.”
Reports are completely anonymous: the UW does not see a name or phone number from the reporting party. That anonymity removes a barrier to reporting, Salemme said, and can help reporters – particularly students – feel more comfortable sharing hazing they witnessed or experienced.
Once a report is submitted through RealResponse, the reporting party receives a response from the UW that acknowledges their report, asks clarifying questions as needed and provides links to support resources.
Shifting the culture
Since the UW’s partnership began with RealResponse last year, CSSC has seen an increase in hazing reports, which Salemme attributes to how easy it is to make a report via RealResponse. He said it also indicates the start of a shift in campus culture around hazing reporting.
“Having RealResponse available and used consistently not only makes reporting more acceptable; it also ingrains it into our campus culture,” he said. “So over time, as students continue to use the platform, they will pass that culture on to future classes and hazing prevention will become the norm.”
RealResponse was founded by a former student-athlete on the idea that positive student experiences are based on supportive and healthy cultures across teams, organizations and campus as a whole. The organization partners with nearly 170 universities and colleges, collegiate athletics departments, and fraternity and sorority life organizations nationwide.
“We’re honored to continue our partnership with the University of Washington and grateful for the trust placed in RealResponse through this extended funding,” said David Chadwick, Founder & CEO of RealResponse. “The University’s commitment to making reporting accessible, anonymous and actionable is exactly what drives meaningful cultural change. By meeting students where they are and equipping administrators with real-time insights, we can work together to strengthen prevention efforts and ensure every student feels safe speaking up. We’re excited to build on this momentum with the UW community in the years ahead.”
With funding set for the next five years, Salemme said his team is excited to continue building a culture of hazing prevention on campus. They are also looking into enhanced reporting and ways CSSC can partner with entities on campus to track where hazing happens and how to prevent it.
“It can take a couple of years to build out the kind of hazing prevention culture we want, which is one of the reasons we’re so grateful for this STF funding,” he said. “We’re excited to have this tool that meets students where they are and makes it easier for anyone to report hazing anytime, anywhere.”
If you or someone you know has witnessed or experienced hazing, support is available. If possible, please report the incident via RealResponse, and take a look at the support resources available.
Gender affirming care panel
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Dubs
