Sexual violence victims have options for reporting
November 4, 2014
By Mae Marsh
UAF Title IX coordinator
As our campus implements federally required changes to the way we respond to sexual harassment and violence, I’ve heard that our process could discourage victims from reporting and take away their control. I share these concerns and agree that it’s of the utmost importance that victims of sexual violence maintain control of their disclosure and receive the utmost support. Therefore, I want victims to know their options. Below is a recap of options available here at UAF:
No disclosure
It is not unusual for a victim to keep silent about a sexual assault for at least three to six months before disclosing. Some choose to never disclose. While remaining silent can make it more difficult for victims to access the services they may need to heal, they always have that right.
Confidential disclosure
If the victim wants assistance with recovery and healing but does not want to engage university Title IX or criminal processes, he or she can disclose to a confidential source. The most important thing to remember is that there are very specific laws governing confidential sources. Most university employees are not confidential sources. The only on-campus place for confidential disclosure is the UAF Center for Health and Counseling, which can be reached at 474-7043. Off campus, there are multiple other agencies.
In Fairbanks, one of the primary confidential disclosure agencies is the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living, at 452-2293. If a victim needs transportation to get to the center's facility, call and arrangements will be made. For a complete list of places to confidentially disclose and access a victim advocate, please visit our website.
Title IX disclosure
If a victim chooses to report to either a UAF employee or one of UAF’s Title IX personnel, that begins a university administrative process that is designed to stop the sexual harassment/violence and offer a wide range of remedies for the victim. The process can result in consequences for the perpetrator.
When a victim discloses to a university employee or to Title IX personnel, our first concern is for his or her safety and well-being. The victim is in control and we work together to tailor a plan that will ensure they can continue to attend school. This could include classroom changes, dorm changes, mentoring, tutoring or even a no-trespass order. Additionally, the victim can request an administrative investigation and, if it is found that there has been a violation of our sexual harassment policy, the accused individual will be subjected to consequences as defined in our code of conduct.
Victims who are seeking Title IX disclosure can contact any of the below listed personnel:
- Mae Marsh, Title IX Coordinator, 474-7599
- Ana Richards, Title IX Coordinator, 474-7393
- Anita Hartmann, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, 474-7700
- Don Foley, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, 474-7317
- Jamie Aber, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, 474-1885
- Andrea Schmidt, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, 474-5174
University employees are required to report incidents of sexual harassment or violence to Title IX personnel, so if a student chooses to disclose to a supervisor or faculty member, he or she will have access to the same services as someone who reports directly to Title IX personnel.
Additionally, even after accessing the Title IX process, students can request that their names not be disclosed to the accused or that no investigation or disciplinary action be pursued to address the alleged sexual violence which, once again, ensures the victims are in the driver’s seat. Such a request is taken seriously and will be honored unless there is indication of risk to the campus community. Factors that would indicate a community risk include:
- The sexual violence was perpetrated with a weapon.
- There are multiple complaints about the same accused individual.
- The accused has a history of violence and arrests.
- The accused has threatened further violence.
- There is an indication that the accused will commit additional acts of sexual or other violence.
Police disclosure
A victim can also choose to report the incident to the police, which initiates a criminal investigation that goes through the legal system. Police will also report the incident to Title IX personnel, which then gives victims access to a full slate of support and recovery services.
I encourage everyone on our campus to become familiar with these different methods of disclosure. Talk about them with your friends and colleagues. We all have a responsibility to understand and recognize that victims have control over how and to whom they disclose. We all have a responsibility to ensure that victims who reach out to us have the support they need to continue their educations in a safe environment.