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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:
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.
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.