Skip to content
Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
Office of Equity and Inclusion

Reporting Options

There are options and procedures for handling complaints of sexual misconduct within the University and through the criminal justice system.

Emergency Response

If you need immediate help regarding sexual misconduct, seek assistance:

Law Enforcement
  • Call University Public Safety at (585) 275-3333 (24 hours, 365 days), if you are on campus.
  • Blue Light Phones: Pick up a Blue Light phone anywhere on a University campus to be put in touch with a DPS officer immediately.
  • Call 911 (Police Dispatch, Monroe County Emergency Communications), if the conduct occurred off University property.
Health and Safety

Designated Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Centers (SAFE) provide medical treatment and forensic exams:

In New York, it is the consenting patient’s choice whether to involve law enforcement personnel or not. However, medical providers who treat a physical injury sustained from an assault, physical or sexual, are required by state law to report the assault to law enforcement.

24-hour Confidential Resources

Reporting Options – what are my choices?

Making a report means telling someone in authority what happened – in person, by phone, in writing, or by email.

When you tell any faculty, staff, administrator, or students who work in Residential Life or work as a Teaching Assistant (TA) what happened they are required to notify the Title IX Coordinator. Please keep in mind that this doesn’t mean that any disciplinary proceedings will immediately begin or that the other party will be contacted or notified that a report has been made.

If you are an Employee who received a disclosure, please make a report via the online reporting form

If you’re not sure that you’re ready to talk to staff in the Title IX Office, consider contacting a confidential resource. Confidential resources will not reveal what you tell them to anyone – not the police, not the Title IX Office – without your consent. They can also provide you with advocacy support and link you to services.

Ways to Report

blue background with yellow card that says 'know your rights. You have the right to make a report to University Public Safety, local law enforcement, and/or state police or choose not to report; You have the right to report the incident to the University, to be protected by the University from retaliation for reporting an incident; and You have the right to receive assistance and resources from the University's Title IX Office.'

Please know that:

 

  • The University’s Title IX Policy applies to everyone – students, faculty, staff, administrators, and campus visitors.
  • It’s never too late to report sexual misconduct.
  • Your information will be kept private. Only people who have a direct need to know in order to address and resolve the case will have access to your information.
  • Retaliation against anyone who makes a report, cooperates with an investigation, or participates in the disciplinary process is Prohibited Conduct at the University.

Reporting Online or Anonymously

A University community member can submit a report electronically, in addition to reporting directly to the Title IX Coordinator, a Deputy Title IX Coordinator, or an Employee.

The form, available at the link below, allows for anonymous, direct reporting, witness, and bystander reports. The Title IX Coordinator receives reports submitted through this form. A report of conduct prohibited by Title IX is not the same as a formal complaint. A report, independently, does not automatically trigger a grievance procedure or investigation.

The more information a reporter provides, the more readily Title IX Staff can respond to the concern and offer next steps to the Complainant. Reports allow the Title IX team to offer supportive measures or make referrals to individuals in need of on and off-campus resources. When a report requests no investigation, Title IX Staff have to balance the request for privacy with the University’s responsibility of ensuring a safe educational environment and workplace.

Reports help the University to collect and publish accurate statistical data, track patterns, and develop and implement preventive efforts. While all reports are encouraged, please note that anonymous reports may limit the University’s ability to respond or take corrective action.

You can make a report by clicking the button below. If you make your contact information available, a member of the Title IX team will reach out to you to follow up.

What information should I include in my online report?

Try to be as clear as you can, and, if possible, include the following information:

  • names of anyone involved, including any witnesses;
  • a timeline of the incident(s) with relevant background information to include specific times and dates;
  • statements made and/or information about any prohibited conduct that occurred; and
  • if any injuries were incurred, describe those injuries and whether you received any medical treatment

Reporting to Title IX

Reports may be made in person, by mail, by telephone, or by email to the Title IX Coordinator, a Deputy Title IX Coordinator, or Title IX Staff.

Upon receiving a report, a Title IX Staff member will reach out to you to offer to meet. During this meeting, Title IX Staff will gather information to conduct an initial assessment of the allegations. This information will help evaluate whether the alleged behavior, if substantiated, would violate University policy, which can help inform your next steps.

Whether or not you know for certain that you do or don’t want to move forward with a formal process, or are undecided, the meeting will cover:

When you come forward, you don’t have to know how you want to proceed or even how to label what happened. The Title IX Office will make sure you have access to the support and services you need in addition to your reporting options.

  • You are welcome to bring a Support Person to any meeting relating to your concerns.
  • You do not have to share the identity of the other person or request an investigation to learn about your rights and options or to receive supportive measures through the Title IX Office.
  • Students can review their reporting rights: Student Bill of Rights Poster
  • Our FAQ page provides more information about the Title IX process.
Title IX Coordinator
The Title IX Coordinator is the University’s expert on Title IX law as well as campus policies and procedures on sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
Julia Green
Associate VP for Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
585-275-1654
Wallis Hall, 147a
julia.green@rochester.edu
What happens after Title IX receives a report?
  1. When Title IX Staff receive a report they will send an outreach letter (via email) to the complainant (an individual who is alleged to have been subjected to conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.). This letter includes information about the office, the processes available, the rights of the individual, and invites the complainant to meet with Title IX staff.

    1. Speaking with the Title IX Coordinator or their Designee is voluntary and the reporting person may have a support person present during any meeting with Title IX Staff. Meeting with the Title IX Staff does not start an investigation. 
    2. If the subject matter or issue of the report does not fall within the jurisdiction of the University Title IX Policy, our staff will advise the complainant of other options.
    3. If the complainant does not respond to outreach, or declines to meet, typically, the case will be administratively closed without further action. Complainants may re-engage with the Title IX Office at a later date if they choose.
  2. During the intake meeting, some basic information about the situation is gathered, which indicates the procedural options that are and are not available to resolve the concern reported. There are a variety of options available to resolve concerns, as well as supportive measures and other remedies that can mitigate harmful impacts. Depending on what resolution option the complainant requests (if any), the nature of the reported prohibited behavior, the amount of information available, and the relationship of the parties to the university, Title IX Staff will take appropriate action to address the matter while considering your wishes for how you want to move forward.

Reporting to the Department of Public Safety or Law Enforcement

Contact the University Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 585-275-3333.

The Department of Public Safety can support students and employees who ask for assistance working through the criminal reporting process. Public Safety can also assist you in making a report to the appropriate law enforcement authority (Rochester Police, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, et cetera). Reporting sexual misconduct to Public Safety does not obligate an individual to proceed with criminal charges. Officers will be available to answer questions, provide guidance, and share updates on any investigations that may occur.

You can choose to simultaneously report to the University and the appropriate law enforcement agency for criminal investigation and response. You can also choose to only report the conduct to local law enforcement or only report to the University. You are encouraged to bring an advocate of your choosing to any meeting with Public Safety.

Public Safety, Willow Domestic Violence Center, and RESTORE Sexual Assault Services can all assist you in obtaining an Order of Protection (OOP) through Family Court against a current or former spouse or intimate partner.

 

Reporting to the Police

You can call 911 to connect to local police directly to report crimes involving sexual violence, as prohibited under New York State Penal Code, which is separate from the University reporting process. Police officers who respond may take a criminal report and explain possible legal options, including temporary and permanent Orders of Protection, arrest, or saving and preserving evidence.

Once a report is made, the decision whether to investigate is made by the police/law enforcement agency, often in consultation with a District Attorney or other prosecuting agency. An investigation may be conducted without the consent or participation of a reporting individual. The ultimate decision of whether to initiate a criminal prosecution is initially made by a prosecutor. In cases involving felony charges, the final charging decision is made by a Grand Jury.

You can simultaneously report to the University and the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation and response, or choose not to involve local police.

Review the differences between the New York State Penal Law and the College Disciplinary Processes.

University of Rochester Confidential Reporting

Individuals who are confidential resources will not report information to law enforcement or University officials without your permission, except in extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency, imminent threat to self or others, or where there is mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse. Accordingly, sharing information with a confidential resource will not result in a report to the University, an investigation, or disciplinary action.

Confidential Resources are not required to report the details of an incident to the Title IX Coordinator. However, they can provide information on how to contact the Title IX Coordinator and how to make a complaint of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment; and that the Title IX Coordinator may be able to offer and coordinate supportive measures, as well as initiate an informal resolution process or an investigation under the grievance procedures established in the Title IX Policy.

Honoring your request for confidentiality may limit our ability to meaningfully investigate and pursue disciplinary action against an accused individual.

Confidential Employees providing services in the following offices can offer Legal Confidentiality due to their status as licensed medical/healthcare professionals acting within the scope of their professional responsibilities:

University Confidential Resources include:

University Counseling Center (UCC)
Available to University students. Outside of UCC office hours, there is a UCC professional on-call to address urgent mental health crises and emergencies.
UCC River Campus Office
585-275-3113
River Campus, UHS building, Third Floor
738 Library Road
Susan B. Anthony Circle		 UCC Eastman School Office
585-275-3113
ESM Living Center, Room 107
University Health Service (UHS)
Licensed medical professionals acting in accordance with their professional responsibilities.
UHS River Campus Office
585-275-2662
1st Floor, UHS Building
738 Library Road, River Campus		 UHS Eastman School Office
585-274-1230
Room 106, ESM Student Living Center
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Provides confidential guidance and support for addressing a variety of personal and work-related challenges.
Main Office
585-276-9110
179 Sully’s Trail
Suite 200
Pittsford, NY 14534		 URMC
585-276-9110
300 Crittenden Boulevard
Mental Health and Wellness
Rochester, NY 14642
University Chaplains
Please note that only ordained clergy and faith leaders can offer legal confidentiality.
River Campus
585-275-4321
1045 Wilson Blvd.
Rochester, NY 14627		 URMC
585-275-2187
Strong Memorial Hospital, 1-3302

Contact RESTORE Sexual Assault Services

Available 24 hours every day, RESTORE advocates provide confidential crisis support after an instance of sexual assault, are available to answer your questions, and can inform you of your rights and options. Trained RESTORE advocates are additionally available 24 hours a day to accompany you to the hospital for a medical examination and can escort you to the police station at your request to file a report. RESTORE is not affiliated with the University of Rochester. Anything shared with staff at RESTORE is confidential and will not be shared with the University.

  • Call the hotline (24 hours a day): (585) 546-2777