Reporting

Gallaudet does not permit discrimination or harassment in our programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Students who believe they have been subjected to sexual or gender-based harassment in violation of this policy should follow the procedure outlined in the Sexual Misconduct Policy to report these concerns.

This process involves an immediate initial investigation to determine if there is reasonable cause to believe the sexual misconduct policy has been violated. If so, the University will initiate a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation. This investigation is designed to provide a fair and reliable determination about whether the University's sexual misconduct policy has been violated. If so, the University will implement a prompt and effective remedy designed to end the misconduct, prevent its recurrence and address its effects.

Different people on campus have different reporting responsibilities, and different abilities to maintain your confidentiality or privacy, depending on their roles at the University. When consulting campus resources, students should be aware of confidentiality, privacy, and mandatory reporting, in order to make informed choices. On campus, some resources may maintain your confidentiality completely, offering you options and advice without any obligation to tell anyone, unless you want them to. Other resources are expressly there for you to report crimes and code of conduct violations, and they will take action when you report your victimization to them.

Making the decision whether or not to report a sexual misconduct/sexual assault incident is the beginning of the process by which many students get back control over their lives. Though the reporting can be difficult, it is often worth the effort. Students sometimes feel empowered by their attempt to bring the accused to justice. The decision whether or not to report has numerous economic, psychological, social, and emotional consequences. Students must make the decision which best allows them to continue a healthy and productive life.

To Report Confidentially

If you desire that details of the incident be kept confidential, you should speak with on-campus counselors at the Mental Health Center, staff at the Student Health Services, the Ombuds, Office of Campus Ministries staff, or off-campus rape crisis resources such as DAWN or DCRCC, who will maintain confidentiality. MHC counselors are available to help you free of charge, and can be seen on an emergency basis. In addition, you may speak on and off-campus with members of the clergy and chaplains, who will also keep reports confidential. 

Non-Confidential Reporting Options

You are encouraged to speak to officials of the institution to make formal reports of incidents (deans, vice presidents, or other administrators with supervisory responsibilities, the Department of Public Safety, Residence Life staff, or Human Resources office, for example). Students who wish to report a concern or complaint relating to sexual misconduct may do so by reporting the concern or complaint to the University Title IX Coordinator directly: Sharrell McCaskill, Title IX Coordinator - College Hall Room 312, sharrell.mccaskill@gallaudet.edu, 202-651-5462(v). The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for receiving and conducting an administrative investigation of all reports of sexual misconduct filed on campus by students and employees and is available to discuss options, provide support, explain University policies and procedures, and provide education on related issues. The Title IX Coordinator may delegate investigations to the Deputy Title IX Coordinator(s) as appropriate.

You have the right and can expect to have incidents of sexual misconduct to be taken seriously by Gallaudet when formally reported, and to have those incidents investigated and properly resolved through administrative procedures. Formal reporting does not mean that your report won't be confidential, but it does mean that people who need to know will be told, and information will be shared as necessary with investigators, witnesses, and the accused. The circle of people will be kept as limited as possible, to preserve your rights and privacy. Students also have the option of reporting the incident to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.

Federal Statistical Reporting Obligations

Certain campus officials have a duty to report sexual misconduct for federal statistical reporting purposes (Clery Act). All personally identifiable information is kept confidential. Statistical information must be passed along to campus law enforcement regarding the type of incident and its general location (on or off-campus, in the surrounding area, but no addresses are given) for publication in the annual Campus Security Report. This report helps to provide the community with a clear picture of the extent and nature of campus crime, to ensure greater community safety. The information to be shared includes the date, the location of the incident and the crime (using Clery location categories). This reporting protects the identity of the student and may be done anonymously.

Federal Timely Warning Reporting Obligations

Students making complaints of sexual misconduct should also be aware that University administrators must issue timely warnings for incidents reported to them that pose a substantial threat of bodily harm or danger to members of the University community. The University will make every effort to ensure that a student's name and other identifying information is not disclosed, while still providing enough information for community member to make safety decisions in light of the danger.

Off-Campus Incidents

Students who wish to report off-campus incidents should report to the local police in the jurisdiction where the incident occurred. The student may also choose to report a sexual misconduct incident to the on campus resources listed below. As described in the Jurisdiction section in the Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures, the University reserves the right to review and make a decision on whether to adjudicate any occurrence of off-campus student behavior in violation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy or Student Code of Conduct that may directly impact or have a significant effect upon the University or members of the University community.

Leniency for Students Making a Report

The University community encourages the reporting of conduct code violations and crimes by students who may have experienced sexual misconduct. Sometimes a student is hesitant to report to University officials because they themselves may be accused of policy violations, such as underage drinking at the time of the incident. It is in the best interest of this community that as many students as possible choose to report to University officials. To encourage reporting, the University pursues a policy of offering students who may have violated the code of conduct themselves leniency from alcohol and/or other drug policy violations related to the incident.

Complaints Against a Faculty or Staff Member
Students who wish to file a formal complaint of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment against a faculty or staff member should contact the Title IX Coordinator/EOP/AA (Equal Opportunity Programs) officer who will consult with the appropriate administrative officer to determine how the investigation will be conducted.