Reporting and Confidentiality
Holy Family University encourages all members of the community to report any incident that violates the University’s Title IX Policy. All reports of sexual harassment will be addressed as promptly as possible so that the University can respond effectively. The University recognizes, however, that not every person will choose to make a formal report with the University. When consulting campus resources, community members should be aware of confidentiality and mandatory reporting in order to make informed choices.
On campus, some resources can offer confidentiality, sharing options and advice without any obligation to tell anyone unless the Complainant wants them to do so. Other resources are expressly required to report incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, or domestic violence to the Title IX Coordinator.
Notice/Complaints of Discrimination, Harassment, and/or Retaliation
Notice or complaints of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation may be made using any of the following options:
- File a complaint with, or give verbal notice to, the Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, or Officials with Authority. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number or email address, or by mail to the office address, listed for the Title IX Coordinator or any other official listed.
- Report online, using the reporting form posted online at Holy Family's Online Incident Reporting & Tracking website
Anonymous reports are accepted but can give rise to a need to investigate. The University tries to provide supportive measures to all Complainants, which is impossible with an anonymous report. Because reporting carries no obligation to initiate a formal response, and as the University respects Complainant requests to dismiss complaints unless there is a compelling threat to health and/or safety, the Complainant is largely in control and should not fear a loss of privacy by making a report that allows the University to discuss and/or provide supportive measures.
Formal Complaint
A Formal Complaint means a document submitted or signed by the Complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging a policy violation by a Respondent and requesting that the University investigate the allegation(s). A complaint may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator in person, by mail, or by electronic mail, by using the contact information in the section titled “Contact Information”, or as described in this section. As used in this paragraph, the phrase “document filed by a Complainant” means a document or electronic submission (such as by electronic mail or online at Holy Family's Online Incident Reporting & Tracking website) that contains the Complainant’s physical or digital signature, or otherwise indicates that the Complainant is the person filing the complaint, and requests that the University investigate the allegations.
If notice is submitted in a form that does not meet this standard, the Title IX Coordinator will contact the Complainant to ensure that it is filed correctly.
Confidential Resources
For those 18 or older who are not yet prepared to make a report or pursue a complaint under this Policy, the University provides confidential professional and pastoral counseling. Complainants may use these resources to talk to someone about an incident of sexual misconduct in a confidential manner whether or not they decide to make an official report, or to participate in the University complaint resolution process. Conferring with these resources will not trigger an investigation by the University or law enforcement.
Confidential professional and pastoral counselors can:
- Explain the reporting and resolution process.
- Provide support while the University or criminal processes are ongoing and/or pending.
- Explain options for obtaining additional support from the University and off-campus resources.
- Arrange for medical care and accompany complainants, or arrange for someone to accompany complainants, to seek such care.
Professional counselors who provide mental-health counseling to members of the school community (and including those who act in that role under the supervision of a licensed counselor) are not required to report any information about an incident to the Title IX Coordinator without a complainant's permission.
Professional counselors and confidential resources:
Counseling Services
Philadelphia Main Campus
Campus Center Rooms 202, 203 & 204
267-341-3222
counselingcenter@holyfamily.edu
A Pastoral Counselor is an employee of an institution, who is associated with a religious order or denomination, recognized by that religious order or denomination as someone who provides confidential counseling, and who is functioning within the scope of that recognition as a pastoral counselor.
Director of Campus Ministry
Philadelphia Main Campus
Campus Center, Room 224
267-341-3261
campusministry@holyfamily.edu
Resources Who Can Afford Partial Confidentiality
A Complainant can seek assistance and support from individuals who work or volunteer in the Campus Health Services. While these individuals must report that an incident occurred to the Title IX Coordinator, they are not required to reveal any personally identifying information about an incident to the University.
Following is contact information for these non-professional counselors and advocates:
Health Services
Stevenson Lane Residence Hall Suite 113
267-341-3262
healthservices@holyfamily.edu
Reporting to Responsible Employees
The University defines a responsible employee to include supervisors, officials, and employees with significant responsibility for student and campus activities including, but not limited to: academics, student residences, athletics, discipline, campus life, and campus safety.
When a Complainant tells a responsible employee about an incident of sexual violence, the Complainant has the right to expect Holy Family University to take immediate and appropriate steps to investigate what happened and to resolve the matter promptly and equitably.
A responsible employee must report to the Title IX Coordinator all relevant details about the alleged sexual violence shared by the Complainant. To the extent possible, information reported to a responsible employee will be shared only with people responsible for handling the University's response to the report.
Reporting to Law Enforcement
The Complainant has the absolute right to decide whether an incident of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, or stalking is reported to Law Enforcement. If the complainant decides to report the incident to law enforcement, the University, through Public Safety, is committing to assisting the complainant.
Reports to a Non-Confidential Resource – Request for Confidentiality
Title IX requires Holy Family University to balance the needs of an individual who has reported an incident to a responsible employee that has requested confidentiality or that no action be taken with its obligation to end the harassment and ensure the well-being of the community at large.
The University has designated the Title IX Coordinator to evaluate these requests.
In such cases, the Title IX Coordinator will weigh the request against the University's obligation to provide a safe, non-discriminatory environment for all students, including the Complainant.
The University handles complaints with due regard for the parties' concern for confidentiality. However, if occurrences pose a general threat to the University community, Holy Family will take affirmative steps to notify students, faculty, and staff of the potential danger.
If you are concerned about confidentiality, discuss this issue first with the University's confidential counselors, who will be able to explain various options you may take, and the implications for each option, and direct you to other on- or off-campus resources as appropriate.