Frequently Asked Questions
I’m a Student or Employee Who Experienced Harm
Yes! Confidential support is available through SDSU’s Survivor Advocacy Services. Survivor Advocates are a wonderful resource if you are still determining what options are best for you. Survivor Advocates can assist any member of our campus community who has experienced sexual misconduct, dating or domestic violence, stalking, or sexual exploitation. They can talk with you about what options are available to you, including filing a report with Title IX, filing a police report, or pursuing a civil restraining order. They are well-versed in explaining what those processes look like and helping you determine what is best for you.
Advocates are also here to support you! Advocates can help you access a variety of on-campus and off-campus support services available to you, including academic accommodations (such as retroactive withdrawals, excused absences, class schedule changes, and deadline extensions), safety planning, and referrals.
Survivor Advocates are separate from the CPHD/Title IX Office and do not make reports to the CPHD/Title IX office or University Police without the survivor’s consent.
To contact the Survivor Advocates, you can call or text (619) 594-2348 or email [email protected].
Another great confidential resource is Counseling & Psychological Services. To learn more about the specific services they provide, call (619) 594-5220 or visit their website: https://sacd.sdsu.edu/cps
DHR and Title IX reports are reviewed by CPHD to ensure that the conduct described can be addressed by our office. When a report falls within CPHD’s jurisdiction, one of our team members will reach out to you to offer support and schedule an intake meeting. During that meeting, our office will try to learn more about your concerns and explain your rights and options.
There are times when a report may be better addressed by a different campus department. In these cases, CPHD will follow up with you and provide a referral to the appropriate office.
Yes, you can make a report anonymously through the online reporting forms. CPHD will make every effort to address the reported concerns, even when the reporting party does not provide any identifying information. However, CPHD may be limited in their response if key information is missing, unavailable, or if the Complainant requests anonymity and/or does not wish to move forward with a complaint.
No! CPHD would almost never inform the person who allegedly caused the harm that you filed a report against them when receiving the reporting form. The only exception would be if the report contained information that described an imminent safety threat to the campus community.
Typically, CPHD will meet with you first to learn more about what you have experienced, and how you would like to proceed. If it is determined that CPHD is going to engage with the other Party, you will be informed of that decision and CPHD will speak with you about any concerns you may have.
You may email [email protected] with any questions you may have. You may also call CPHD at 619-594-6464 or visit us on campus. We are located in the Administration Building, Room 228.
I’m a Responsible Employee
When a Responsible Employee receives information involving potential prohibited conduct, including discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, or retaliation they are required to disclose the information to CPHD.
A Responsible Employee must provide all of the information they have, including the names of the people involved and the details of the incident. This information must be provided even when a student requests to remain anonymous.
A Responsible Employee may fulfill their reporting obligations by completing the online reporting forms found in the Mandated Reporting section.
Even when a student has requested anonymity, Responsible Employees are required to provide the student’s name to CPHD. We understand that this can put you in an awkward position. If the student was under the impression that you were able to keep the information confidential, we ask that you circle back with that student and explain that you must report all the information to CPHD before CPHD reaches out to the student. We believe this is the best way for you to maintain trust with the student. CPHD staff is happy to connect with you to help you navigate this conversation.
Also, it can be helpful to reassure the student of what will happen next. After you provide CPHD with the student's name, a member of the CPHD team will reach out to the student by email to offer support and to make sure they are aware of their rights and options. A member of the CPHD team will offer the student a meeting, but the student is under no obligation to meet with CPHD if they do not want to. Additionally, if they do choose to meet with CPHD, they can share as much or as little information as they are comfortable with. They will never be forced to provide information or participate in any process.
Typically, no. When you make a report as a Responsible Employee, you can expect to receive a follow-up email from CPHD to confirm receipt of the report. However, because of privacy considerations of the Parties, CPHD does not typically tell reporting parties specific information about how the report will be addressed.
Yes, you can contact CPHD by emailing [email protected] or by calling 619-594-6464 to discuss any questions or concerns you have prior to making a report.
No, Responsible Employees do not have to report when a student discloses that they are experiencing pregnancy or a related condition. However, all employees are expected to fulfill their responsibilities to inform the student that they have rights under Title IX as a pregnant student, and that CPHD can help them.
However, if a student discloses that they are experiencing discrimination or harassment because of their pregnancy or related condition, you must make a report.
You may email [email protected] with any questions you may have. You may also call CPHD at 619-594-6464 or visit us on campus. We are located in the Administration Building, Room 228.