Reporting to UNC

Many students experience sexual assault, abusive relationships, and stalking each year, and UNC is seeing an increase in reporting. Still, we know that interpersonal violence affects many more students on our campus. To address this need, UNC has created several different reporting systems so that students have reporting options if they are interested – anonymous, blind, or full reports. See below for more information on reporting options.

Reporting IPV to an authority such as the University or law enforcement can be empowering for some survivors.  If a survivor chooses to pursue an investigation, reporting may also help remove perpetrators from our community and get them the help they need.

The University has resources and protocols designed to help survivors of sexual assault and relationship violence. The University’s Sexual Assault Response plan can be accessed here. Please note, this plan has not been updated since a new Sexual Misconduct policy was adopted on August 1, 2012.

Rights of Survivors

According to the University’s Sexual Assault Response Plan, student survivors are guaranteed the rights to:

1. Prompt access to appropriate University services

2. Special due process rights under the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance

3. Self-determination concerning their medical, psychological, and legal support. Survivors have the right and are encouraged to seek counseling and support services, internal and external to the university

4. Request changes of academic or housing situations and notification of what options are available

5. Strict confidentiality in reporting, information being shared only with those who have a legitimate need for it. The University defines confidentiality as the guarantee that information about an individual is accessible only to those authorized to have access, and that the individual must give formal written consent to the sharing of this information

6. Report incidents of sexual assault to a law enforcement agency regardless of whether or not she/he is also pursuing disciplinary options within the University community

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like going through the Honor Court system?
Sexual Misconduct was removed from the Honor System in 2012; reports of sexual misconduct are resolved through Informal or Formal Processes.  Other interpersonal violence behavior may fall within Offenses Under the Honor Code under Conduct Affecting Persons. Information about the Honor System can be found online or obtained by speaking with the Judicial Programs Coordinator. Any person may report suspected misconduct by a UNC – Chapel Hill student to the University Honor System.  A report may be filed using the online reporting system, or completing and mailing the referral form and any related materials.

What’s it like going through the Formal Resolution Process (Student Grievance Committee)?
The recently updated (August 1, 2012) UNC-CH Policy describes the Formal Resolution Process in Appendix A.  Formal hearings are handled by a three-person panel that includes a student, faculty member and staff member. These individuals receive specialized training to help them understand the complexities of sexual assault cases.

What are the different kinds of reporting available? Why are there different kinds?
There are three different kinds of reporting available at UNC to students: anonymous reports, blind reports, and full reports.  The type of report you chose will depend on your comfort level and how much information you want to share, as well as whether or not you want to press charges through the Honor Court or criminal justice system.

Anonymous Reporting

To report an incident of interpersonal violence anonymously, as a victim or a bystander/witness, you can fill out an Anonymous Reporting Form which is available at the Dean of Students website and in Carolina Union bathrooms.  Drop boxes are also available in these locations.  If you witness an incident of interpersonal violence, you may also file an anonymous report through Campus Police’s Silent Witness web form or through CrimeStoppers.

Blind Reporting

If you would like help filling out a reporting form from a staff member but do not want to share your name, you can contact any university faculty or staff member, including the Department of Public Safety, and they can fill out the Blind Reporting Form for staff. In this instance, that person reporting the incident may know your name, but it is not on the form which is submitted to the Dean of Students Office. These reports help the University know how many incidents occur each year.

Full Reporting

A Full Report (not available online) can also be filed with the Deputy Title IX Coordinator / Student Complaint Coordinator (Ew Quimbaya-Winship, located in Suite 1125, Student and Academic Services Buildings North; 919-843-3878), where UNC-CH students can share as much information as they want (your name, the name of the person who harmed you). UNC-CH investigates complaints to determine if there is good cause to move forward. If so, the student who filed the complaint may pursue an informal resolution through the Dean of Students Office or request a formal hearing before the Student Grievance Committee. Jayne Grandes is UNC-CH’s Investigator in the Equal Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act Office. She investigates complaints of harassment, sexual misconduct and discrimination.

All reports are confidential and maintained by the Office of the Dean of Students. Reports filed with the Department of Public Safety are also maintained by their records.

Pursuing Criminal Charges

Students may pursue criminal charges with the police in addition to, or instead of, pursuing cases through a campus process. UNC encourages students to contact the police and pursue criminal charges and will assist students with that decision. Any student who wishes to contact the police about a sexual assault should call 911. UNC public safety officers are trained to assist students who experience sexual assault. If the incident occurred off campus, officers will connect the student to the police department or law enforcement agency in the correct jurisdiction.  Learn more at Reporting to the Police.