Incidents of sexual violence, which includes sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, can be reported to WSU Compliance and Civil Rights (CCR), which works closely with Human Resource Services (HRS) for incidents involving employees and the Center for Community Standards (CCS) for incidents involving students. When CCR receives a report of misconduct, CCR will provide the student or employee with written information about their rights, supportive measures, and reporting options (including how to file a complaint with WSU), as well as other information about CCR’s Procedural Guidelines and the WSU Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment, Executive Policy 15 (EP 15). Outreach will also include written information about available counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, legal services, and other services available on campus and in the community. Additional resources will be identified depending on the student’s or employee’s particular needs (e.g., an international student may need support from International Programs regarding visa or immigration assistance); a complainant’s preferences with regards to supportive measures will be considered. Per and the , supportive measures, including academic support services and safety measures such as changes to work/academic schedules, residence hall assignments, or other protective measures, are available, regardless of whether the student or employee chooses to report the crime to campus police or local law enforcement. CCR, the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Affairs, HRS, campus police, and/or other administrators will help facilitate supportive measures requests.
CCR can document the victim/survivor’s concerns, assist the victim/survivor with campus safety options, connect the victim/survivor to local support, medical, and counseling resources, and if the victim/survivor (or the Title IX Coordinator) wishes to file a complaint, CCR can start an informal resolution or an investigation.
Please note, WSU’s policies for responding to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking are developed to be in compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
Informal Resolution
CCR may proceed with an informal resolution upon receiving a formal complaint, where appropriate. An informal resolution allows for parties to voluntarily reach mutually agreeable terms to resolve their concerns and/or prevent further harm. Either party may request an informal resolution at any point prior to a determination of responsibility. CCR has discretion to determine whether an informal resolution is appropriate for the specific circumstances. If so, CCR will notify both parties that the informal resolution process has commenced and provide the requirements of the informal resolution process, as described in the CCR Procedural Guidelines. CCR will not proceed with an informal resolution process until receiving voluntary consent to proceed with the informal resolution process from both parties.
Informal resolutions may include, but are not limited to:
- An agreement between parties
- A mediation
- Education and training
- Workplace or academic management plans
- Restrictions on contact or participation in programs or activities
- Supportive measures, including safety measures
Informal resolutions may include agreed upon punitive terms (e.g. a party may agree to a permanent withdrawal or removal of duties). Parties may also accept responsibility or accountability for misconduct.
Parties may withdraw from the informal resolution process at any stage, prior to agreeing to a resolution.
Where an informal resolution violated, rather than voiding the resolution and reengaging in the grievance process, the violation may be reviewed as a violation of a university directive and subject to disciplinary action. Where CCR has a compelling reason to do so, the informal resolution may also be voided. Where circumstances change, parties may request to modify an existing informal resolution.
Investigations
CCR may conduct an investigation after receiving a complaint, which meets the requirements of EP15, or in the absence of a complaint, where CCR determines an investigation is appropriate. CCR conducts a neutral and unbiased investigation, with investigators who do not have a conflict of interest or bias towards either party, specifically or generally. CCR investigations are conducted pursuant to its Procedural Guidelines and are initiated with a presumption that the respondent is not responsible for the alleged conduct. CCR provides notice of the allegations in writing to both parties. Both parties have the right to present witnesses and evidence. The evidentiary burden is on WSU, not the parties.
During an investigation, WSU does not restrict the ability of either party to discuss the allegations under investigation or to gather and present relevant evidence. Throughout the investigative process, the parties have the right to have an advisor of their choice with them, which can be a support person or attorney. In all matters (regardless of the status of the respondent), the parties will have an opportunity for investigation, evidence review, determination of responsibility, and appeal. For matters implicating Title IX Sexual Harassment, the parties have an equal opportunity to review evidence and provide an additional statement prior to the issuance of a CCR investigative report. For other matters, parties are provided access to evidence after the investigation is completed.
For more information about the investigative process, see the , the , the , the , and the Manual
CCR shares information about cases only on a need-to-know basis but cannot guarantee confidentiality. Although CCR does not share reporting information with law enforcement unless required to do so, CCR investigators notify victims/survivors of their option to report to on-campus or local police, to have campus authorities assist them in notifying law enforcement of a sexual violence incident, or to decline to notify such authorities.
A report of sexual violence can be made to CCR or the Title IX Coordinator by telephone at 509-335-8288, by email at ccr@wsu.edu, by visiting the CCR office located in Room 225 of the French Administration Building on the Pullman campus or by using the .