Disclosure & Reporting Options

You may choose to share experiences of sexual or interpersonal misconduct for any number of reasons, including:

• Seeking support and resources
• Learning about supportive measures and safety planning
• Understanding supportive measures such as accommodations with your classes, housing, and/or work environment
• Filing a complaint through the University disciplinary process
• Pursuing a report through law enforcement

What happens when the University's Title IX Coordinator learns about Sexual and/or Interpersonal Misconduct?

When the Title IX Coordinator learns of a concern of sexual misconduct (e.g., sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault or sexual exploitation) or interpersonal misconduct (e.g., domestic violence, dating violence or stalking), the Title IX Coordinator will do outreach to offer support and resources and also identify the different reporting and informal or formal resolution options that are available to the complainant.  You can seek assistance from Drake University without filing a formal complaint or charges with law enforcement.

Below is a description of different options for sharing information and seeking support and resources. If you need someone to talk through these options you can call or text the Drake VIP hotline at 515-512-2972.

Confidential Disclosure (no requirement to notify Title IX Coordinator)
Reporting to the University (including anonymous reporting)
Reporting to Law Enforcement
External Reporting Options
Faculty and staff Title IX incidence reporting information 

Confidential Disclosure

When discussing sexual misconduct (e.g., sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault or sexual exploitation) or interpersonal misconduct (e.g., domestic violence, dating violence or stalking), the idea of confidentiality can be confusing. Different people, depending on their roles, have varying obligations with regard to confidentiality. Under Iowa law, communications with some individuals are legally privileged and confidential—this means they will not share with law enforcement or the Title IX Coordinator information they received in confidence. In addition to attorneys or religious counselors, these confidential individuals and services include the following:

 *Available 24/7

Reporting to the University

Most University employees cannot guarantee confidentiality, but they will maintain privacy and disclose information only to select officials who have an essential need to know about the reported misconduct. If you make a report to a Drake employee, such as a professor or RA, that employee must inform the Title IX Coordinator; however, this does not mean you must participate in a formal complaint or investigation. When the Title IX Coordinator learns of a concern of sexual or interpersonal misconduct, they will do outreach to offer support and resources and also identify the different reporting and informal or formal resolution options that are available.  You can seek assistance from Drake University without filing a formal complaint or charges with law enforcement.

There are several ways you can notify the University of an incident of sexual or interpersonal misconduct, such as:

• Reporting to the Title IX Coordinator in person, through email, or through an online report. 
• Notifying Drake Public Safety, the Dean of Students, Human Resources, or the Violence Prevention Coordinator (all contact information below).
• Reporting anonymously online through EthicsPoint. Drake respects your choice to proceed anonymously; please know there may be limits on what steps can be taken with an anonymous complaint.

Reporting to Law Enforcement

If you want to contact law enforcement, you may do so directly or with assistance from the University. It is every individual's choice whether or not to report to law enforcement, and you have the right to decline involvement by the police. Both Drake Public Safety and Des Moines Police can help with questions about the criminal process as well as safety planning on and off campus; Des Moines Police is especially helpful when the individual involved is not affiliated with the University, has graduated, or has otherwise left campus.

 * Available 24/7

External Reporting Options

The agencies responsible for the enforcement of Title IX or related non-discrimination laws include the following offices:

• Office for Civil Rights (students or employees)
• Iowa Civil Rights Commission (employees)
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (employees)