Requesting Confidentiality in a Title IX or Equity Matter

If a student Complainant requests confidentiality or requests that no investigation or disciplinary action be pursued to address alleged sexual harassment, the University will take that request seriously while also considering its responsibility to provide a safe, non-discriminatory environment for all students and employees, including the Complainant.

The University will generally grant a request for confidentiality. When weighing a request for confidentiality, the Director of Equity & Title IX Coordinator will consider a range of factors, including whether any of the following apply:

• There are multiple or prior reports of sexual misconduct against the respondent;
• The respondent reportedly used a weapon, physical restraints, or engaged in battery;
• The respondent is a faculty or staff member with oversight of students;
• There is a power imbalance between the complainant and respondent;
• The complainant believes that the complainant will be less safe if the complainant’s name is disclosed or an investigation is conducted; or
• The institution is able to conduct a thorough investigation and obtain relevant evidence in the absence of the complainant’s cooperation.

If the University determines that it can honor the complainant’s request for confidentiality, it will still take reasonable steps to respond to the complaint, consistent with the request, to limit the effects of the alleged sexual harassment and prevent its recurrence without initiating formal action against the alleged perpetrator or revealing the identity of the complainant. The University will also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant while keeping the complainant’s identity confidential as appropriate. These steps may include changing living arrangements or course schedules, assignments, or tests. Honoring a request for confidentiality limits other steps the University can take, such as investigation or potential disciplinary action.

If the University determines that it must proceed with an investigation or disclose the complainant’s identity to the respondent, it will inform the complainant prior to making this disclosure or initiating the investigation and will take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant where appropriate. In the event the complainant requests that the University inform the respondent that the student asked the institution not to investigate or seek discipline, the University will honor this request.

Confidential Reporting Resources

If you want to speak to someone confidentially, you can choose to speak to one of the clinicians in the Counseling Center or through Timely Care and can do so without these parties disclosing your name (or the name of the respondent) to others unless you are under the age of 18. You may also choose to contact a local or national resource, such as partnersagainstviolence.org or rainn.org, where you can speak anonymously with a trained advocate. The medical staff at the Student Health Center are required by California law to report sexual assault and other types of assaults to local law enforcement authorities.