Frequently Asked Questions

If you have experienced an incident of sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, gender-based harassment, or stalking, know that it is not your fault and that you have many options available to you.

It is your right to report an incident to the University or to law enforcement. However, if you are unsure about reporting, you are still entitled to receive medical care, or request changes to your academic, living, transportation and working situations. Learn how you can get the assistance you need.

If you would like to talk to someone to explore your options, keep in mind that many Penn State employees are required to report these incidents. A confidential support person will not inform the University of your disclosure and can help connect you with resources.

You may want to speak with someone confidentially about an incident of gender-based harassment or sexual harassment.

Certain employees are not required to report information regarding gender-based harassment or sexual harassment in a way that identifies complainants without their consent. These individuals are known as confidential employees. When acting in their primary role at the University, reports to these individuals are confidential and can be anonymous. Except in rare, extreme circumstances, identifying information disclosed to these individuals will not be shared without a complainant’s explicit permission.

Primary providers of confidential support services and advocacy at University Park are Counseling and Psychological Services, University Health Services (Medical Staff), and the Relationship Violence Outreach, Intervention, and Community Education Center (R-VOICE). Learn how you can get the confidential assistance you need.

The University can work with you to identify resources and remedial measures that will help you feel safe- for example, changing on-campus housing assignments, changing classroom assignments, and/or issuing an administrative directive for no contact. The Title IX Coordinator and other on-campus resources can assist you with this.

Additionally, some campuses have programs designed to provide walking accompaniment for Penn State students, employees, and visitors who may feel unsafe walking alone on campus at night. At University Park, individuals can request a Safe Walk by calling 814-865-WALK (9255).

Penn State is committed to providing ongoing support to individuals who experience incidents of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct. You may be able to access a variety of resources and support services in connection with their experience, including:

• reasonable academic accommodations, including modifications to course or exam schedules, or coursework
• housing modifications, including permanent or temporary room reassignments or the provision of a temporary safe space on campus
• free confidential counseling and psychological support
• access to free or low-cost healthcare options
• referrals to local community agencies for additional services
• the choice to request a No Contact Order
• your option to request a formal investigative process or an informal resolution

Additional confidential and nonconfidential resources beyond those listed here may also be available.

If an incident of sexual misconduct occurs outside of the University community, can the University respond?

Yes, if the incident has ties to the University (if it occurs in connection with a Penn State program or activity, if it involves an alleged perpetrator who is connected to the University, etc.), then the University may respond. Regardless of where the misconduct occurs, the University can also provide support services for the complainant.

The University strongly encourages the reporting of gender-based harassment or sexual harassment. Therefore, complainants reporting gender-based harassment or sexual harassment to the University typically will not face University disciplinary action for their own drug or alcohol possession or consumption in connection with the reported incident.

Retaliation against anyone who reports an incident of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct, or who participates in a University process related to such an incident, is strictly prohibited under University policy. If you have any concerns about retaliation, you should discuss them with a staff member. Regardless of whether you participated in a University process, you are encouraged to consider preserving any key forensic or other evidence.

1. Do not contact the complainant through any means – in person, by phone, by mail, by social media or electronic communication or through someone else.
2. Familiarize yourself with Penn State’s process for investigating complaints of gender-based harassment or sexual harassment so that you know what to expect.
3. If you have questions about the process or are seeking support services, contact the Title IX Coordinator.
4. Visit the Information for the Respondent page to learn more.

Once the University has been notified of an incident of sexual or gender based harassment or misconduct (including sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, and/or sexual exploitation), a staff person will typically contact the affected person to ask if they are interested in an intake meeting to discuss their experience as well as the resources, support services, and procedural options that may be available to them. The person is not obligated to respond to the e-mail or meet with anyone. The primary purpose of the intake meeting will be to assist the student in understanding their options and the University’s process for handling these kinds of incidents. The person is not required to disclose any additional information.

Yes. You may bring a support person or advisor of their choosing to any meeting or conversation they have regarding their experience.

No, anyone (regardless of gender identity) can be the victim of gender-based harassment or sexual harassment.

Consent is a voluntary agreement to engage in a specific sexual activity during a sexual encounter.

• According to Penn State policy AD85, consent must be informed, freely given and mutual.
• If coercion, intimidation, threats or physical force are used there is no consent.
• If a person is mentally or physically incapacitated or impaired so that such person cannot understand the fact, nature or extent of the sexual situation, there is no consent: this includes impairment or incapacitation due to alcohol or drug consumption, or being asleep or unconscious.
• Inducement of incapacitation of another with the intent to affect the ability of an individual to consent or refuse to consent to sexual contact almost always, if not always, negates consent.
• Silence does not necessarily constitute consent.
• Whether a person has taken advantage of a position of influence over an alleged victim may be a factor in determining consent.