Below are some frequently asked questions around Title IX, sexual misconduct, reporting, and other procedures.
What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law that protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal funds. It also protects from other discriminatory practices as well, including dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, sex harassment, sexual violence/non-consent, and stalking.
For more information on Title IX, please visit the Department of Education’s website.
Who does Title IX protect?
Title IX protects everyone in any educational program and those who interact with a school from discrimination based on sex, including students, employees, applicants, and parents and guardians. If you feel you are being discriminated against based on your gender and you wish to talk to someone about it, please contact any member of the Title IX team.
I am a victim of sexual violence or sex harassment. What should I do?
- Get to a safe place and report the incident: You are strongly encouraged to seek immediate assistance if you or someone you know is the victim of any form of sexual violence or sex harassment. The first priority is ensuring the individual is free from immediate danger and obtains necessary medical treatment. Assistance can be obtained 24 hours per day, seven days per week from:
- Local police: 911 (24 hours per day / 7 days per week). If you are in Wayne, you may also call the Wayne Police Department’s non-emergency line at 402-375-2626.
- Title IX Coordinator: 402-375-7289 (24 hours per day / 7 days per week)
- Campus Security: 402-375-7216 (24 hours per day / 7 days per week)
- Student Health*: 402-375-7470 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday)
- Counseling Center*: 402-375-7321 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or 24 hours per day / 7 days per week through Campus Security)
- Haven House: 1-800-440-4633 (24-hour crisis line)
- RAINN National Sexual Assault 24-hour Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Once the immediate threat of harm is eliminated and emergency medical treatment is obtained, you are also strongly urged to report any sexual violence or sex harassment to Wayne State’s Title IX coordinator.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you are injured, believe you may have been exposed to an STI/STD, or may be pregnant.
- Preserve physical evidence that may include tissue and fluid samples, evidence of violence, sheets, towels, clothing, etc. You may choose to avoid washing, bathing, urinating, etc., until after being examined at the hospital, if possible. Because evidence of a sexual assault can deteriorate quickly, you may choose to seek a medical exam as soon as possible. Evidence collection should be completed within 120 hours of an assault, but fluids, hair samples, and DNA can be collected for a long time thereafter. Even if you have washed, evidence can often still be obtained. After 120 hours, it may still be helpful to have medical attention, even if you are not trying to obtain evidence of an assault. Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) are trained in the collection of forensic evidence and can check for injuries and exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. If you are still wearing any clothes worn during the assault, wear them to the hospital, but bring a change of clothes, as the hospital will keep the clothes you are wearing as evidence. If you have changed clothes, bring the ones you were wearing during the assault to the hospital in a clean paper (not plastic) bag or a wrapped in a clean sheet. Leave sheets and towels at the scene of the assault. Police will collect them. Typically, police will be called to the hospital to take custody of the rape kit, but it is up to you whether you wish to speak with them or file a criminal complaint.
- Choose how to proceed. You have options and are encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator or a campus counselor to discuss your options. You may choose to: 1) do nothing until you are ready; 2) pursue resolution by the college; and/or 3) initiate criminal proceedings; and/or 4) initiate a civil process against the perpetrator. You may pursue whatever combination of options is best for you. If you wish to have an incident investigated and resolved by the college, you should contact the Title IX coordinator. College procedures will be explained. Those who wish incidents to be handled criminally should contact the local police where the assault occurred. A campus official is available to accompany students in making such reports, if desired. Contact the Title IX coordinator for more information.
- Seek counseling. Students interested in seeking counseling and/or guidance may contact the Counseling Center on the first floor of the Student Center, which offers guidance and support. You can also call the WSC Counseling Center at 402-375-7321. The Counseling Center can provide assistance and/or referrals for a range of services both on and off campus, including counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, and legal assistance.
I want to report sexual violence or sex harassment. What should I do?
If you want to report sexual violence or sex harassment, you should do so immediately following medical treatment/exam. You can contact Campus Security at 402-375-7216 or the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department at 402-375-2626, or go to a hospital emergency room specializing in forensic care if the situation occurred within the last five days.
If you believe you have information on a Title IX concern and wish to file a complaint with the college, you are encouraged to contact the Title IX coordinator at 402-375-7289 to obtain information about the investigation process and ensure you have the necessary support. Note that any Title IX issue reported to the designated college employees below also constitutes notice and will require it is reported to the Title IX coordinator as well:
- President
- Vice presidents
- Deans (of academic programs and of students)
- College Title IX coordinator and designees
- Housing/Residence Life staff, including directors, managers, assistant directors, community coordinators, senior residence hall advisors, residence hall advisors
- Coaches and assistant coaches
- Campus Security
I am not sure I want to report the sexual violence or sex harassment. What are my options?
Even if you are unsure whether you want to file a report with police or other offices, you may still seek medical treatment and obtain a forensic exam to preserve evidence in the event you later decide to report. It is your decision whether or not you want to report. Regardless of whether you report the incident, you are encouraged to seek medical attention. You can also benefit from services that offer support – even days, weeks, months, or years after you experienced sexual violence or sex harassment. Call the Wayne State Counseling Center at 402-375-7321 for more information.
I want to preserve evidence of the sexual violence. What should I do?
- Try to refrain from showering until a hospital visit.
- Place any unwashed clothes you were wearing in a paper or cloth bag.
- Take photos of any physical injury or damage to property.
- Try not to use the restroom until you are at the hospital.
I have or want a restraining or no-contact order. What should I do?
A restraining order is an order from a court that requires one part to do, or refrain from doing, certain acts. For example, it can protect you from being physically abused, threatened, stalked, or harassed. If you have a court order, you should inform WSC Campus Security and/or the Title IX coordinator. The college can help to ensure that the restraining or no-contact order is followed on campus and at Wayne State events. Even if you do not have a court order, the college may issue a no-contact order as part of its Title IX sexual violence/sex harassment investigation and resolution procedures or take further protective action to minimize the interactions of you and the accused, such as rearranging course schedules, moving housing assignments, or altering college employment arrangements. The Title IX coordinator can assist you with any of the above options at your request.
If I report something, will it be kept confidential?
The college appreciates the privacy concerns inherent in allegations of sexual violence or sex harassment and will give serious consideration to a request for confidentiality. If the alleged victim requests confidentiality, asks that the report not be pursued, or declines to participate in an investigation or disciplinary proceeding, the college will document the request. The college will take reasonable steps to investigate and respond to reports consistent with such a request, if possible. Requests will be evaluated and weighed against the college’s responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment. Please note that the Counseling Center and Student Health Services provide a free and safe environment to talk to regarding your concerns and are not mandatory reporters in filing complaints regarding Title IX.
How will the college respond to a report?
The college has a responsibility to respond to reports of sexual violence or sex harassment and attend to the needs of all students who are involved. Reports of sexual violence and sex harassment are taken with the utmost seriousness, and the student(s) will be promptly referred to the appropriate persons or resources for assistance. The college is also responsible to ensure that the individual charged with committing such violence or harassment is treated fairly. Individuals are presumed innocent unless proven responsible and will also be referred to appropriate services for assistance. Learn more about the investigation process here.
While an investigation is ongoing, what immediate remedies are available to me?
During the investigation, the college will take reasonable steps to provide an equitable and safe environment should they be necessary. Possible remedies include, but are not limited to:
- No-contact orders between individuals
- Changes in academic arrangements
- Changes in living arrangements
- Changes to work schedules
- List of supportive resources available within the college and outside support organizations
If I file a complaint against someone, what will happen to them?
Students who are found to be responsible for a Title IX violation will be referred through the student code of conduct process printed in the Wayne State Student Handbook that is consistent with NSCS Student Conduct Policy 3100, and NSCS Due Process Policy 3200. If the alleged perpetrator is an employee, other board policies or collective bargaining agreements will determine the due process steps and disciplinary consequences. During the impartial investigation process, both parties will have an opportunity to receive periodic updates and present witnesses and other evidence, as necessary. Should the incident become a discipline matter, the complaining party will have a right to know the outcome, including sanctions of the responding party.
How long will an investigation take?
Title IX investigations can be complex or straightforward, which can create variations with the timeline. As a result, it is not possible to create a strict timeline for every case. The college is committed to a complete and impartial investigation of reports of Title IX-related issues. The college will strive to conclude an investigation within 60 calendar days from when the college has received official notice from a complaining party and an investigation is formally launched.
Retaliation for filing a report concerns me, what should I do?
Title IX prohibits retaliation for reporting parties and any individuals participating in an investigation. The college will not only take steps to prevent retaliation but will also take strong responsive action if it occurs. If you believe you are experiencing retaliation for filing a report, please contact the Title IX coordinator immediately.
Who is the national entity that oversees Title IX compliance?
If you have questions about Title IX compliance and want to know more information about the laws surrounding it, you can contact:
Kansas City Office:
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut St, 3rd floor, Suite 320
Kansas, City, MO 64106
Phone: 816-268-0550
Email: [email protected]
