Responding to a Disclosure of Misconduct
Options for Reporting the Incident
If someone tells you about experiencing sexual misconduct of any kind, your caring response can help the healing process.
Encourage them to report allegations of sexual misconduct to OHSU’s Title IX Coordinator, Laura Stadum, at 503-494-0258, or titleix@ohsu.edu. The Title IX Coordinator is not a confidential resource but can direct people to on-campus resources and off-campus confidential resources, as well as to other resources, including how to obtain a protection order and how you can help a friend. If confidentiality is requested, the Title IX Coordinator will make every reasonable effort to preserve an individual’s privacy and protect the confidentiality of information. However, without full information and participation, OHSU may be limited in pursuing disciplinary or other appropriate remedial action.
In the case of violence, or the threat of violence, first contact the OHSU Department of Public Safety at 503-494-4444 (emergencies) or 503-494-7744 (non-emergency dispatch).
Supporting One Who Has Experienced Misconduct
- If the person wants to talk about their experience:
- Listen and acknowledge what they are sharing with you.
- Reserve judgment and do not make light of the situation.
- Do not attempt to investigate or resolve the situation on your own. Instead, ask questions to determine current safety (“Do you feel safe now?”) and offer assistance (“Is there anything I can help you with?”).
- Never tell the complainant to ignore the behavior.
- Thank them for sharing with you.
- Keep the information confidential.
- Confidentiality protects the interests of the alleged respondent, the person making the report, and protects you from responding to a complaint of retaliation.
Learn More about Resources, including On-Campus Resources, Off-Campus Resources, Protection Orders, and more suggestions on How to Help a Friend.