Anyone impacted by prohibited sexual harassment or misconduct can receive supportive measures and resources from our office, regardless of your interest or participation in criminal or university investigation options. We can also assist you in connecting with the appropriate law enforcement agency or other supportive resources both on campus and in the greater Richmond area.

We can meet with impacted parties or concerned friends to review options for supportive measures as well as formal and informal resolutions available per the applicable policies. If you have questions, or would like to learn more, feel free to reach out to our office at titleix@vcu.edu, (804) 828-1347, or submit an incident report with your contact information and we will reach out to you in a timely manner. 

Since our office is private but not confidential, if you are seeking confidential support, please contact University Counseling Services at (804) 828-6200, or reach out to confidential university advocates at myoptions@vcu.edu.

For more information about your rights and options, please review our resource guides:

• Reporting Guide for Student Complainants
• Reporting Guide for Employee Complainants

The information shared with Title IX is a part of your protected record. Our office’s records are typically only disclosed to others with your written permission, with other VCU officials in the course of their job responsibilities, or as ordered by a court. 

The Commonwealth of Virginia also requires that some incidents of sexual violence are reported directly to the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. If you report an incident that meets this criteria, you will be notified during intake and in writing. This report does not automatically trigger a criminal process. 

If you are pursuing a formal resolution with our office, some information from your complaint and the investigation process will be shared with the other party. Your investigator will explain how and why that information is shared.

Our team works closely with VCU Police to respond to criminal reports and concerns about the safety of the VCU Community. We can connect you with a Victim/Witness Specialist or Investigator at VCUPD to review your options and discuss your safety concerns on campus. 

If you’re not interested in an investigation or formal resolution, our office can still assist with supporting your continued access to education or employment at VCU. Supportive measures for members of the VCU Community can include: mutual no-contact directives between parties; academic support; housing accommodations; and referrals to campus resources such as confidential advocacy or counseling services. Individuals who are not affiliated with VCU can also reach out for assistance connecting with community resources.

In our policies, a person accused of a policy violation is referred to as the “Respondent.” If we receive a formal complaint alleging a policy violation and requesting an investigation, we will reach out to the Respondent prior to issuing the Notice of Investigation, a document that alerts the Respondent of the investigation and includes a list of allegations. This provides you with the opportunity to ask questions you may have about our process, and schedule a meeting with the investigator to discuss the Notice of Investigation after reviewing the document.

Respondents are invited to participate in the investigation process, but are not required to participate. You may receive invitations from the investigator to schedule an interview, submit evidence, or identify witnesses to the alleged policy violation. You will also receive copies of the investigator’s written reports, with opportunities to respond in writing.

If you have not received notice from our office, but are aware of a pending allegation or report from a third party, you are welcome to reach out for assistance. We know that Respondents often experience distress throughout this process and we can connect you with supportive measures, such as confidential counseling services.

For more information about your rights and options, review our resource guides:

• Reporting Guide for Employee Respondents
• Reporting Guide for Student Respondents

Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, individualized services offered to restore or preserve your access to VCU’s education program or activities. They are available to both parties, whether or not a formal complaint is filed with our office.

Supportive measures include, but are not limited to:

• Mutual no-contact directives
• Campus ban
• Residence modifications
• Academic support
• Counseling services
• Safety planning
• Work schedule/location adjustments
• Campus escort services
• Leaves of absence

The Title IX Coordinator has the discretion to determine appropriate supportive measures based on the facts and circumstances of a situation, and may discuss these options with a party as needed. Supportive measures may be in place indefinitely, or until resolution of the matter.

Our process is Complainant-driven, meaning that in most cases, the Complainant determines if they are interested in pursuing a formal resolution through investigation, which is not always the case. Complainants may also request an informal resolution, if deemed appropriate by the Title IX Coordinator. Some Complainants are only interested in seeking supportive measures, which is also an option and does not require investigation.

The Title IX Coordinator has the discretion to file a formal complaint on behalf of the impacted party to investigate a serious allegation that poses a risk to the university community. We will always communicate with the Complainant before initiating an investigation on their behalf.