Reporting Sexual Violence
UMass Dartmouth is committed to supporting survivors who choose to report sexual violence.
Students, staff, and faculty can report incidents of sexual violence that may trigger institutional and/or legal action. This page explains what types of reports are available to survivors of violence, as well as the types of reports that mandatory reporters must complete in order to remain in compliance with the Clery Act and/or Title IX policies.
Please note that, in addition to providing support, resources, and advocacy, the confidential victim advocate can assist you with the following:
- understanding what reports are available/desirable, their outcomes, and potential implications
- writing reports
- assessing reporting compliance for responsible employees under Title IX and Campus Security Authorities
Incidents of sexual misconduct reported to the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion engage in one of two processes: either the Title IX process or the Sexual Misconduct process. Title IX is federally regulated and can only result in institutional sanctions. Title IX functions independently of any process adjudicated through the criminal legal system. For matters that do not meet the jurisdictional definitions in the Title IX process, the Sexual Misconduct process may be used instead. The two processes are explained fully during the initial meeting with the Title IX Coordinator.
Survivors retain the right to discontinue the Title IX process at any point.
Who should file this report?
- Survivors/victims of violence
- Members of the campus community deemed "responsible employees" under Title IX who receive sexual misconduct disclosures
What happens after the report is filed?
Incidents of sexual misconduct reported to the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion are reviewed by the Title IX Coordinator.
Upon receipt of the incident report, the person who experienced harm (known as the potential complainant) will be contacted by UMass Dartmouth's Title IX Coordinator for a meeting to review supportive measures, along with the campus victim advocate. Though this meeting is optional, it is designed to provide survivors with consistent information about institutional procedures and to empower survivors to make decisions.
Please note that the filing of an incident report does not launch an investigation. A formal written and signed complaint must be filed by the person who experienced violence (the complainant) in order for an investigation process to proceed.
What is the outcome of this report?
Responsible employees who have reported an incident will not be notified if the potential complainant has filed a formal complaint.
The Title IX process and the Sexual Misconduct process both seek to determine whether or not a respondent (the person accused of causing harm) is responsible for an alleged violation of policy. Respondents found responsible for a sexual misconduct violation will be sanctioned accordingly as outlined in the student Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Grievance Procedures.
I'd like to report an incident of sexual misconduct. What should my next step be?
Click here to submit an incident report to the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Incidents of sexual misconduct can be reported anonymously to the University Police.
Who should file this report?
- Survivors/victims of violence
- Individuals deemed "Campus Security Authorities" who receive sexual misconduct disclosures
What happens after the report is filed?
Anonymous reports are entered as incident reports. Actionable information that appears in the report may warrant the following:
- Timely warnings and/or emergency notifications to the campus community
The anonymous report is distinct from a police report, and does not trigger an investigation.
What is the outcome of this report?
The primary purpose of this report is to collect aggregate statistical reports, in compliance with federal law. Anonymous reports do not initiate investigations on behalf of Title IX or University Police.
I'd like to complete an Anonymous Report. What should my next step be?
Incidents of sexual violence can be reported to law enforcement. All incidents of sexual violence that involve students should be reported to UMass Dartmouth Police. Police reports are the first step to initiating legal action against a perpetrator, though they do not necessarily guarantee that a case will lead to criminal charges, prosecution, or other legal action. The criminal legal process may result in a legal sentence, and functions independently of Title IX.
Survivors retain the right to pause, and or discontinue, the criminal legal process at any point.
Who should file this report?
- Survivors/victims of violence
- Witnesses who wish to submit voluntary statements
What happens after the report is filed?
All police reports related to sexual violence filed with UMass Dartmouth Police are forwarded to the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for review and follow up, as outlined above.
Survivors interested in pursuing legal action against a perpetrator must indicate that they want UMass Dartmouth Police to initiate an investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, UMass Dartmouth police will submit the case to the corresponding District Attorney’s Office. Once received, the District Attorney will decide whether or not to prosecute the case.
What is the outcome of this report?
Police report outcomes are difficult to predict due to the many variables involved in a legal process. In the event the District Attorney chooses to prosecute, the case will proceed in criminal court. In the event the District Attorney declines to prosecute, all legal action will end.
Please note that filing a police report will not necessarily initiate an arrest, though it may. Police reports do not provide protections associated with Abuse Prevention Orders (209A) or Harassment Prevention Orders (258E), which must be obtained through court. For more information about protective orders, please click here.
I'd like to file a police report. What should my next step be?
Contact the corresponding law enforcement jurisdiction:
- UMass Dartmouth Police Emergency line: 508.999.9191
- Dartmouth Police: 508.910.1700
- Fall River Police: 508.676.8511
- New Bedford Police: 508.991.6340
- Westport Police: 508.636.1122
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