Title IX

Any of the university's confidential resources, such as The Counseling & Testing Center or Student Health Services, are available whether or not you choose to file a report of sexual misconduct. If you choose to report sexual misconduct to the university, a Title IX deputy will discuss your range of available options for investigation or resolution, as well as supportive measures, which could include:

• amending work or class schedules, when appropriate, to minimize chance encounters;
• assistance with filing a police report with the appropriate authorities;
• referrals to campus and community resources;
• mutual No Contact Directives;
• discussing support such as safe escorts available through The University Police Department;
• filing an academic or financial appeal if academic performance is adversely impacted;
• offering alternative student housing arrangements; and,
• requesting assistance from faculty to ensure students are provided an opportunity to complete coursework.

Supportive measures are available whether or not you choose to request an investigation from the university and are available any time you need them, no matter when the misconduct occurred.

Help is available no matter when or where the incident happened, and it does not matter if the person who did it is a student, faculty, staff or not. While the university may not be able to address the conduct, you still have access to resources and accommodations. A member of the Title IX team can assist you in reporting to police if you choose to do so.

Yes, Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center has a 24/7 hotline available by calling (330) 374-1111. The Counseling and Testing Center also offers emergency services after business hours by calling (330) 972-7082 and selecting option 2 to speak to a counselor. If you are at our Wayne campus, OneEighty has a 24/7 hotline available by calling 1-800-686-1122.

Disclosing sexual violence to most university employees will result in a report to the Title IX Coordinator or law enforcement; however, there are confidential resources available on-campus and locally who will not report information you share with them to the university. These include the Counseling & Testing Center, Student Health Services, and Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center. Confidential resources also include off-campus clergy, counselors, physicians, and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). 

Reports can be submitted anonymously but may limit the university’s ability to respond. Without additional information, the university faces a limited ability to gather corroborating information and due process considerations can foreclose the disciplinary process outlined in the grievance procedures. Anonymous reports can also limit access to additional support and interim measures if the parties are not identified. Providing names does not obligate that complainant to pursue an investigation but does allow them access to additional support and resources through the university. Mandatory reporters cannot fulfill mandatory reporting requirements by submitting an anonymous report, and must report all information in which they are made aware.

Students or employees interested in anonymous reporting are advised to consider reporting options through The University of Akron Police Department which allows for ongoing communication while maintaining anonymity.

Information on submitting an anonymous report

While The University of Akron does not condone underage drinking, drug use, or other violations of university rules and policies, it considers reporting gender-based misconduct to be more important. To encourage reporting, the university offers limited amnesty and generally will not hold complainants, respondents, or witnesses responsible for non-violent legal or Code of Student Conduct violations, such as personal alcohol or drug use, occurring immediately around the reported incident.

If you have been accused of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment, this may be a confusing and overwhelming time. Like the person making the accusation, you have access to assistance and support throughout the process.

You need to know:

• Most reports do not result in an investigation.
• If an investigation begins, the outcome cannot be determined until a thorough examination of all the evidence has been completed.
• You will have the opportunity to provide your full account to the investigators.

You may contact a member of the Title IX team with any questions, if you are seeking support, or if you would like to learn more about the process. 

The type of conduct that is required to be reported includes but is not limited to:

• Sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, indecent exposure)
• Intimate partner violence or interpersonal violence (dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, battery)
• Sexual harassment (quid pro quo, hostile environment, retaliation)
• Gender-based discrimination

This includes conduct occurring on- and off-campus, as well as in the past prior to the victim's enrollment at the university.

The report will be reviewed by the Title IX team and a Deputy Title IX Coordinator will initiate outreach to the victim. It is up to the victim whether they choose to meet. The Deputy will explain options for investigation or informal resolution and will offer support and accommodations. Support is individually tailored to each students' needs. Options include counseling, no-contact directives, schedule changes, financial assistance and adjustments to work or living situations. 

If someone makes a disclosure to you that they have been a victim of sexual violence, listen without judgment and verify they are safe. Other suggestions to keep in mind are:

• Allow the victim to choose what information they share with you
• Assure the victim that what happened is not their fault
• Maintain the victim's privacy
• Offer to connect the victim with supportive resources
• Offer to help the victim make a report to the university
• Allow the victim to choose what happens next

You can also contact a member of the Title IX team to seek help with responding to a disclosure.

Generally, reported information stays private. If campus-wide notice is necessary, the university will make every effort to contact the victim prior to issuing a timely warning as required by the Clery Act/VAWA. Notice is only issued about a reported incident if it may pose a serious or ongoing threat to the community. The notice protects the privacy of those involved while helping students and employees make informed decisions to protect themselves.

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