Confidentiality FAQs

wHAT IF I WANT TO MAKE AN ANONYMOUS REPORT TO BE INCLUDED IN CAMPUS CRIME STATISTICS? +

You can make an anonymous report of the sexual assault to the UCF Police or the Office of Institutional Equity (including the Title IX Coordinator) by giving only the time, date and location of the assault.

WHAT IF I DO NOT WANT ANYTHING DONE? I DON’T THINK I WANT TO REPORT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I’M NOT SURE IT WAS SEXUAL ASSAULT ANYWAY. +

If you do not want to report it, but want to talk to someone confidentially, please contact a confidential off-campus Sexual Assault Crisis Center. Counselors can help you determine whether what happened to you is sexual assault in a completely confidential environment. You have the option of not reporting the incident.

 

HOWEVER, please know that though difficult, filing claims with the police and/or University can help to prevent sexual assault from happening on the UCF campus. Also, you should be aware that if you tell someone in Residential Life, a faculty member, or any other University employee (with limited exceptions), they will refer the matter to the Office of Institutional Equity (including the Title IX Coordinator). These offices may proceed with an investigation based on the obligations they have under the law to take steps to assure that the report is addressed and to prevent the incident from happening again. Similarly, some employees and offices, like Housing and Residence Life, must report non-identifying information about the assault to the police under the law. This means that the employee is not required to disclose your identity or the identity of the accused to the police but must advise the police of the date, time and location of the assault and when s/he received the report.

WHY WOULD THE UNIVERSITY INVESTIGATE THE ASSAULT IF I DON’T WANT THE UNIVERSITY TO DO SO? +

Because sexual assault is a form of prohibited sexual harassment, and the University has an obligation under the law and its policies to address assault and harassment when it happens to a member of the UCF community. Being able to address such conduct helps to improve campus climate and prevents sexual assault from happening to other community members in the future.

WILL MY SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINT BE TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY? +

While the University cannot promise complete confidentiality in its handling of harassment complaints, the University makes every reasonable effort to handle inquiries, complaints and related proceedings in a manner that protects the privacy of all parties. Each situation is resolved as discreetly as possible with information shared only with those who need to know in order to investigate and resolve the matter.

 

In its investigation, the University offices involved will be sensitive to the feelings and situation of the alleged victim and/or reporter of sexual harassment. Nonetheless, the University has a compelling interest to address all allegations of sexual harassment brought to its attention. The University reserves the right to take appropriate action in such circumstances, even in cases when the complainant is reluctant to proceed.