First Steps and Options
If you have experienced Prohibited Conduct as previously described, you should consider the following:
Reporting the Incident(s)
All involved parties have many options, including seeking counseling or assistance from a Confidential Resource, making a report under the Policy, and/or making a report to law enforcement. The University recognizes that deciding among these options can be difficult and is an intensely personal decision. Individuals are encouraged to seek assistance from a Confidential Resource and to explore all potential reporting and support options. Students can access Confidential Resources on campus through the Baylor University Counseling Center, Baylor University Health Services, the University Chaplain Burt Burleson; and the Louise Herrington School of Nursing in Dallas Chaplain Sahr Mbriwa; employees can access Confidential Resources through Baylor’s Employee Assistance Program. More detailed contact information for confidential resources is provided in the Resources and Support Services page of this website.
- Emergency law enforcement assistance
Law enforcement assistance is available both on and off campus. Individuals are encouraged to contact law enforcement and seek help as soon as possible following an incident that may pose a threat to safety or physical well-being or following a potential criminal offense. To contact law enforcement, call the Baylor University Police Department or Waco Police Department. Contact information is provided in the Resources and Support Services section. - Reporting options and related information
The University encourages all individuals to report Prohibited Conduct or a potential violation of this policy to the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office, the Baylor University Police Department, and/or to local law enforcement. A complainant has the right to report, or decline to report, potential criminal conduct to law enforcement. Upon request, the University will assist a complainant in contacting law enforcement at any time. Under limited circumstances that appear to pose a threat to the health or safety of any University community member, the University may independently notify law enforcement.
An individual may make a report to the University, to law enforcement, to neither, or to both. Campus resolution processes and law enforcement investigations operate independently of one another, although the University will coordinate information with the Baylor University Police Department as appropriate. Anyone can make a report as follows:
- Make a report to the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office in person, by telephone, by email, or online at https://titleix.web.baylor.edu/reporting.
- If on campus, contact the Baylor University Police Department for assistance in filing a criminal complaint and preserving physical evidence (254-710-2222).
- If off campus, contact local law enforcement to file a criminal complaint (dial 911 or, if in Waco, 254-750-7500).
An individual may pursue some or all of these steps at the same time (e.g., one may simultaneously pursue a SIM report and a criminal complaint). When initiating any of the above options, an individual does not need to know whether they wish to request any particular course of action nor how to label what happened. As part of a report to the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office, an individual can also request supportive measures.
- Anonymous reporting
Anonymous reports can be made by submitting information on the Baylor Equity website: https://titleix.web.baylor.edu/reporting. Based on the nature of the information submitted, the University’s ability to respond to an anonymous report will likely be limited. - Requests for anonymity
Once a report has been shared with the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office, a complainant may also directly request that their identity remain private (request for anonymity), that no investigation occur, or that no disciplinary action be taken. The University will carefully balance this request with the University’s commitment to provide a non-discriminatory environment, and the respondent’s right to have specific notice of the allegation(s) if the University were to take action that affects the respondent. In such circumstances, the Title IX Coordinator may arrange for limited fact-finding by an investigator to gain a better understanding of the context of the complaint or take other appropriate steps, including consulting with the University’s threat assessment group. More information about Balancing Complainant Autonomy with University Responsibility to Investigate is provided in the Policy. - Amnesty
The University wishes to encourage good faith reports of conduct prohibited under this policy. Therefore, the University will not pursue disciplinary action against a student enrolled at the University who makes a good faith report to the University as a complainant or a witness to an incident of Prohibited Conduct for a violation by the student of the University’s Student Conduct Code. Similarly, the University will not pursue disciplinary action against a complainant, respondent, or witness for disclosure of a violation of Campus Living and Learning’s visitation policy or of personal consumption of alcohol or other drugs (underage or illegal) where the disclosure is made in connection with a good faith report or resolution process and the personal consumption did not place the health or safety of any other person at risk, regardless of the outcome of the University’s resolution process. Even when amnesty is extended, the University may initiate an assessment or educational discussion or pursue other non-disciplinary options regarding alcohol or other drug use.
Additionally, the University will not pursue disciplinary action against students (complainants, respondents, or witnesses) for conduct in violation of the Sexual Conduct Policy. Under no circumstances will a complainant or witness who makes a report of sexual assault or other Prohibited Conduct, or a respondent who participates in a resolution process be charged with violating the Sexual Conduct Policy, regardless of the outcome.
A student will not receive amnesty for reporting an incident involving their own commission or assistance in the commission of Prohibited Conduct. - Good Faith Reports
The University may evaluate whether a report of Prohibited Conduct was made in good faith In most cases, this determination cannot be made until after an Investigative Process into the alleged misconduct in the report has been completed The University will consider factors such as a determination regarding responsibility and the existence of statements or other evidence that indicates deceit or malice as a motivation for the report in determining whether a report was made in good faith If it is found that a report was not made in good faith, the matter may be addressed through the appropriate University procedure.
Getting Medical Attention
Any necessary medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. This is necessary to mitigate the risk of sexually transmitted infections, test for pregnancy, and to determine the existence or extent of physical injury and the need for treatment. Additionally, forensic evidence can be collected if criminal prosecution or a protective order is desired or may be desired in the future.
Preserving Evidence of the Incident(s)
It is important to preserve evidence as it may be necessary in providing proof of criminal sexual assault, intimate partner violence or stalking, or in obtaining a protective order. Evidence is best collected as soon as possible. If the incident involved sexual assault or other physical contact, try (if possible) to preserve any evidence before a medical exam by not washing or changing clothes, brushing teeth or hair, eating, or other actions that might compromise evidence. Even if more time has passed, it may still be possible to collect evidence, and it is certainly possible to be evaluated for other injuries and tested for sexually transmitted infections and/or pregnancy. Related electronic evidence (e.g., text messages, photographs) and documents should be preserved as well.
Some people may wish to report Prohibited Conduct as a crime, while others may not want to report. The decision can be difficult. No one should be forced into making a choice right away. Having evidence collected in no way obligates you to file a complaint with the University or to make a report to law enforcement agencies that could lead to criminal prosecution, or to seek a protective order, but would preserve this information in the event that you decide to take such actions at a later date, or decide later to ask the University to initiate disciplinary proceedings.
Seeking Counseling Support
Self-care is important when coping with events that would be prohibited under the Policy. You are encouraged to seek confidential counseling and support from offices and/or entities identified in the Resources and Support Services section of this website. If you have additional questions or need further assistance, the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office can assist you in navigating these resources and options.