GT Confidential Sexual Assault Reporting Form
Atlanta (July 24, 2009) —
Dear GTAAN members:
As a member of the Office of the Dean of Students staff, I recognize the importance of your interactions and support of so many students at Georgia Tech. You are often the front-line folks who know when a student is experiencing a challenge or a crisis. We in the Deans Office appreciate the working relationships between our offices to best support our students’ well-being and success.
Given your direct contact with students on campus, we wanted to inform you about a new process to support students who may experience sexual violence.
As you may know, Georgia Tech officials are required to report when a student discloses an issue such as sexual violence (stalking, acquaintance rape, harassment, etc.). If any student (male or female) indicates an issue in this area, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students (or the Women's Resource Center directly) or refer the student to our office for assistance.
In addition, last year the Women’s Resource Center received approval to implement a new confidential reporting form for the campus. This form allows students to choose to have their assault included in campus statistics without having the case investigated. As sexual violence is an underreported crime, this allows the campus statistics to better reflect what is happening on our campus. Statistics about crimes on campus are reported annually to the U.S. Department of Education in compliance with the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (known as the Clery Act). Georgia Tech’s Crime Awareness Brochure is available online at http://www.police.gatech.edu/brochure.pdf.
Students who have experienced sexual violence have the option:
• To file a criminal report.
• And/or to file a complaint for a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
• To file a confidential report.
• To file no report and still receive support services.
The Office of the Dean of Students (including the Women’s Resource Center) can provide an Advocate to assist the student with their reporting options.
In the case of a confidential report:
• A student may file a confidential report with the Office of the Dean of Students (including the Women’s Resource Center), Health Promotion, or the Department of Housing.
• General information is collected for campus statistics but the case is not investigated.
• If information is provided that would identify the accused person, the Institute will investigate the case.
Examples of identifying information include but are not limited to: name, email account, apartment or room number, job title (i.e. TA for particular class, etc.), and/or a specific description.
If you would like to learn more about this topic, please consider participating in Ally Training held several times throughout the school year. The Women’s Resource Center is also available to offer presentations to students or staff regarding sexual violence prevention and response.
Ally Training
Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 – Noon to 4 p.m.
Advocate Training
November 6, 2009 – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, please contact:
Yvette Upton
404.385.1563
yvette.upton@vpss.gatech.edu
Colleen Riggle
404.385.4501
colleen.riggle@vpss.gatech.edu
