Reporting Sexual Misconduct for Faculty and Staff

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Employees who believe that they have been subject to sexual misconduct (sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking) or who would like to report on behalf of another person, may choose (a) to report the incident to the University so that action can be taken by the University, including under the University’s disciplinary procedures; (b) to report the incident to the police; and/or (c) to not report the incident. Reports may be made regardless of when the incidents occurred and whether or not they took place on or off campus.

Employees who are unsure about whether they want to report may contact a confidential counselor.

When reports are made to the Title IX Coordinator or the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, the University has the obligation to review all reports and respond appropriately.

Any employee who wishes to report sexual misconduct may pursue several different options, which are listed below.

Pre-Reporting Consultation

While a Pre-Reporting Consultation is not required, for employees who are unsure about whether they want to make a Title IX report or file a University Complaint, it may be helpful to speak to a confidential counselor. Going to a confidential counselor does not foreclose the opportunity to make a report to the University or file a formal complaint at a later time.

Confidential counselors can help employees understand what reporting options are available and assist with the process if they choose to file a formal complaint. Unless requested, the information disclosed will not be shared with the Title IX Coordinator.

Reporting to the Title IX Coordinator

Employees who wish to report sexual misconduct may notify the University’s Title IX Coordinator or the Deputy Title IX Coordinator.

Samantha Berner, Title IX Coordinator and Director of Title IX Compliance
Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action
M-36 Darnall Hall, 37th and O Streets, NW, Washington, D.C. 20057
Phone: (202) 687-9183 | samantha.berner@georgetown.edu

The Title IX and Deputy Title IX Coordinator will work with employees who experience sexual misconduct to coordinate protective measures and other timely services, provide information about available resources, and explain the University policies on sexual misconduct and the University’s complaint process.

When reports are made to the Title IX Coordinator or the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, the University has the obligation to review all reports and respond appropriately. Every effort will be made to respect the privacy of the individuals involved. In the very rare instance that there is a community safety concern, the University may need to move forward with an investigation without the Complainant.

Filing a Complaint with the University’s Title IX Coordinator

Filing a Sexual Misconduct Complaint through the Title IX Coordinator under IDEAA’s Grievance Procedures, which may include an investigation, hearing (in certain cases), and sanctions, if applicable, can be initiated by contacting the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Coordinator.

IDEAA’s Grievance Procedures can be found here, but in all instances:

The internal grievance process can lead to university sanctions up to, and including dismissal/termination from the University.
The internal grievance process is designed to protect the safety of survivors, promote accountability, and provide a prompt, fair, and impartial investigation and resolution. The entire process is conducted by individuals who receive training on issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Both parties are entitled to have an advisor of their choosing present throughout the entire process; both parties are able to present witnesses and evidence; and both parties are informed in writing of all decisions at the same time and have an equal chance to appeal.
Retaliation, harassment, or other adverse action against an individual for making a complaint in good faith, assisting in an investigation, opposing harassment or otherwise exercising rights protected by law is prohibited. Retaliation should be reported promptly to IDEAA or the Title IX coordinators and may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
For more information about the internal grievance processes, you are welcome to speak with a confidential resource, the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator, or you can consult IDEAA’s Policies and Procedures.

Filing a Formal Complaint with GUPD, MPD, and/or DPS

All individuals that have experienced sexual misconduct may file a report with the Georgetown University Police Department (GUPD), Georgetown University Department of Public Safety (DPS) (for GULC employees), Metropolitan Police Department (MDP), GUPD/DPS and MPD, or neither department. Filing with either police department does not preclude an individual from reporting to the Office of Title IX Compliance or IDEAA; an individual may choose to pursue all options. If unsure of which avenue is best, please contact Georgetown’s confidential counselors to discuss further.

Georgetown University Police Department (GUPD)

An individual who has experienced sexual misconduct may file an incident report with GUPD. GUPD has Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) trained officers who will work closely with survivors on resources and options. If you choose to report to GUPD, ask for a SART Officer.

GUPD will evaluate the situation and investigate as needed. An investigation may include, but is not limited to, conducting interviews, an officer’s narrative of the events observed, and/or gathering information for the IDEAA or Student Conduct process. GUPD strives to act consistently with an individual’s wishes and typically will not report to MPD unless there is an imminent safety concern. GUPD is required to report any issues of sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking) to the Office of Title IX Compliance. In the event in which an employee would like to pursue a formal University disciplinary complaint, GUPD may share the facts of the incident with IDEAA.

GUPD provides free transportation to Washington MedStar Hospital for survivors who wish to seek medical attention or receive a forensic medical exam after experiencing sexual misconduct. Depending on the individual’s preferences, the transportation may be either in a police car or unmarked vehicle, and by a uniformed or plain-clothed officer (available to stay in the vehicle or remain in the waiting room).

If an employee does not wish to involve GUPD, free transportation to Washington MedStar Hospital may also be provided via Uber through the DC Forensic Nurse Examiners by calling the DC SANE Call Center at 800.641.4028. Reporting to MPD is NOT required for a survivor to receive a forensic medical exam.

When requested, GUPD can issue:

No-Contact Orders – banning contact between two members of Georgetown University
Barring Notices – banning an individual from Georgetown University, when appropriate
Guidance on how to Obtain Protection Orders; GUPD may not issue protection orders as they are issued by a judge via the Domestic Violence Intake Centers. Survivors who wish to seek a protective order should consider taking steps to preserve evidence, as it may be necessary to establish the proof of criminal domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

To talk through whether these options would be helpful, please contact Georgetown’s confidential counselors.

Georgetown University Police Department (GUPD): Call (202) 687-4343

The Georgetown Law Department of Public Safety (DPS) (GULC Employees)

All individuals who have experienced sexual misconduct may file an incident report with the Georgetown Law Department of Public Safety, which will investigate the incident and report its findings to the appropriate University office. Click here for more information on how to file a report with the Georgetown Law Department of Public Safety.

Confidential counselors and the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Faculty and Staff are both available to assist employees who choose to file an incident report with DPS.

Georgetown Law Department of Public Safety (DPS): Call (202) 662-9325

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)

An individual may also report to MPD, which will investigate the incident. MPD’s investigation may include, but is not limited to, conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and, depending on the nature of the complaint or incident, having a crime scene unit check for DNA at the scene. Please note that if a survivor wishes to pursue a criminal action, MPD must be notified. GUPD may assist in notifying MPD at the individual’s request.

MPD Officers cannot provide protection orders as they are issued by a judge via the Domestic Violence Intake Centers, but they can provide information about them. Survivors who wish to file a criminal complaint or seek a protective order should consider taking steps to preserve evidence, as it may be necessary to establish the proof of criminal domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD): Call 911

Emergency Assistance at SCS

Emergency Assistance at SCS-640 Mass Ave: Call (202) 907-3061

Overlap of Departments

GUPD/DPS and MPD operate independently. GUPD/DPS strives to act consistently with an individual’s wishes, and can assist in connecting the employee either with IDEAA if the individual wishes to file a formal complaint within the University, or to MPD if the individual wishes to file a formal criminal complaint.

The filing of an incident report with GUPD/DPS or a criminal complaint with MPD will not preclude individuals from pursuing the other option. If both options are pursued, the investigations will proceed simultaneously, as best as possible.

If pursuing either or both systems, an individual may request interim measures (housing, academic, work, etc.) through the Title IX Coordinator (private but non-confidential) or through Health Education Services/Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Liason (SARVL) for GULC (confidential) at any time.

Filing No Formal Complaint

You have the option to file no formal complaint at all. Those who are unsure about whether they want to file a formal complaint can contact a confidential resource to discuss their options.

If an individual does not file a formal complaint, they may still request interim measures through the Title IX Coordinator (private but non-confidential) or through Health Education Services (confidential) at any time.

Timely Warnings

Consistent with the Clery Act, when necessary, GUPD/DPS will issue a timely warning when there is an ongoing or continuing threat to community safety. Warnings will not contain any identifying information.