“It is the responsibility of the entire university community to foster a safe, healthy, and nondiscriminatory learning, living, and working environment that is free from sex discrimination of any kind.” Policy 162.7.1

All NDSU employees who observe or receive a report of any form of sexual misconduct must notify the Title IX Coordinator or the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance Office (NDSU Policy 162.7). This document is intended to act as a guide to help mandatory reporters talk with a student who may have experienced violence. It is important to remember that every situation and student is different. A student who chooses to talk with you about their experience is doing so because you are someone they trust to listen and be caring and supportive. 

Request a training for your department HERE.

Must Do’s of Responding a Disclosure of Interpersonal Violence

• Explain your reporting obligations through Title IX to the student.
• Refer the student to campus resources like the Sexual Assault Prevention & Advocacy Coordinator and the Counseling Center. Additional campus and community resources are listed HERE.
• Submit your completed report to Title IX within 3 business days https://www.ndsu.edu/equity/filing_a_report_or_complaint/

Do’s of Responding to Disclosures of Interpersonal Violence

• Listen with empathy. Stay calm, nonjudgmental, and supportive
• Remember that this student trusted you to tell you about a traumatic event in their life
• Refer to relevant resources
• Help the survivor explore options. Support and respect their decisions
• Remember that the student trusted you to be supportive during a difficult time. Connect the student with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Advocacy Coordinator so that they may discuss options and resources.

Dont's of Responding to Disclosures of Interpersonal Violence

• Don’t promise confidentiality or anonymity.
  • Explain that you must report to Title IX but you will not disclose information to colleagues, other students, etc.
• Don’t make statements or ask questions that blame the student for the assault (ex. questioning what the student was wearing, if they had been drinking, etc.)
• Don’t investigate the situation on your own. Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance Office staff and/or the Sexual Assault Prevention and Advocacy Coordinator can help a student understand their rights and determine if they want to pursue an investigation.
• Don’t take control, even if you think you know what’s best
• Don’t contact law enforcement without the student’s permission

• Move to a private, calm, safe location that is comfortable for the student.
• Explain confidentiality
  • Explain to the student that as an NDSU employee you are a mandatory reporter. This means you required to report the information to the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance Office . A staff member from the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance Office  will reach out to the student via phone or email in the next few days. Remind the student that just because the information is reported to Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance Office does NOT mean the student has to go through an investigation.
  • Let the student know that information shared with you will not be shared with other students or staff by you or by Title IX.
• Listen to the student in a non-judgmental way
  • Give the student the opportunity to speak in their own way at a pace that is comfortable to them. Do not pressure or confuse the student with too many questions
  • The primary concern is the student’s emotional state.
• Assess the immediate needs of the student including physical well-being and safety
  • Medical attention
    • A Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE Kit) may be performed up to 96 hours following a sexual assault. In Fargo, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) may perform a SAFE Kit at either the Sanford or Essentia Emergency Rooms.
    • Students may also seek medical attention from Student Health Service or their Primary Care Provider
  • Do not contact law enforcement without the students permission
• Refer to relevant resources
• Submit your report to Title IX within 3 business days https://www.ndsu.edu/equity/filing_a_report_or_complaint/
• (optional) Follow up with the student in a few days or weeks. 

Download the Sexual Assault Response for Mandated Reporters guide HERE