With the exception of confidential resources, College employees are required to report instances of sexual misconduct of which they become aware. The distinction of who is required to report and who can maintain complete confidentiality can be confusing. These explanations should help. If you still have questions about confidentiality, any members of the Title IX Lead Team can explain further.
Faculty and Staff
When a student or another member of the College community discusses or reports possible sexual misconduct to any College employee, that employee is expected to complete a Community Concern Form. The form can be completed with identifying information about the incident (contact information, nature of concern and description of incident, approximate date of incident, and location of incident). The form does not initiate a Complaint and instead is routed to the Title IX Coordinator or the Title IX Deputy for Faculty/Staff who will first follow-up with the reporter.
Peer Leaders
When a student or another member of the College community discusses or reports possible sexual misconduct to a peer leader, that peer leader is expected to:
- Complete a Community Concern Form with information about the incident (contact information, nature of concern and description of incident, approximate date of incident, and location of incident); and
- Inform their supervisor, in non-identifying terms, that they have knowledge of possible sexual misconduct. Their supervisors will then confer with the Title IX Coordinator to ensure that the issue is being handled appropriately
- NOTE: Peer leaders may choose not to use identifying information (names) when reporting incidents of sexual misconduct. However, RAs must provide names of the individuals involved.
A Community Concern Form does not initiate a Complaint and instead is routed to the Title IX Coordinator or the Title IX Deputy for Faculty/Staff who will first follow-up with the reporter.
Why are faculty, staff, and peer leaders required to report?
Faculty, staff, and peer leaders are required to report incidents of possible sexual misconduct because Carleton College desires to maintain a community free of sexual misconduct. Safety is a main consideration, and in order for the Title IX Coordinator to assess and address potentially harmful acts, they need to have information about these incidents and behaviors. The College has both an ethical and legal duty to respond promptly and appropriately to any behavior which may threaten the community or violate Carleton’s Policy Against Sexual Misconduct.
What about other students on campus that aren’t Peer Leaders?
Students, including volunteer peer advocates, are not obligated to report discussions or reports of possible violation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy to anyone, but are encouraged to complete a Community Concern Form so that impacted parties can access supportive measures. Most Community Concern Forms are submitted by peers who are concerned about a friend.
If you do not want to speak to a required reporter, you may instead speak with a confidential resource.