Reporting Requirements

Regardless of your reporting requirements, WSU encourages reporting of all forms of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct and takes these reports very seriously. Please view the sections below to determine your responsibilities:  

WSU Students

WSU strongly encourages students and others to report incidents of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and other forms of sex and gender-based violence, to Compliance and Civil Rights (CCR). 

WSU Employees

All WSU employees who have information regarding an incident or situation involving sexual harassment or sexual misconduct are required to promptly report the incident to the Compliance and Civil Rights (CCR) or to one of the designated Title IX Deputy Coordinators. 

There are limited exceptions to this requirement. The exceptions are

  • Employees who are statutorily barred from reporting (for example a medical provider) 
  • Employees, interns, professional trainees, and other similar individuals who are not statutorily barred from reporting but who provide services to students in WSU’s Cougar Health Services or are otherwise designated by WSU to provide medical or mental health services 
  • Employees participating in preventative education for students regarding sex and gender-based violence or a related program, during which a student or employee discloses having experienced sexual harassment. These programs are designed to be safe spaces for students and do not require a report to CCR 
  • Employees who have no authority to take action to redress sexual harassment and who could not reasonably be viewed by students or other employees as having such authority; such employees are nonetheless strongly encouraged to report all instances of sexual harassment 
  • Employees engaged in research and climate surveys which included gathering information on discrimination, discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment, and sex and gender-based violence, during which a research participant discloses, for the purpose of the research, having experienced discrimination, discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment, or sex and gender-based violence 

WSU employees with supervisory responsibility must take immediate action to end offending conduct and protect the well-being of the complainant. Supervisors must take such interim measures in consultation with CCR, HRS, and the WSU Division of the Attorney General’s Office. 

In addition, WSU employees with supervisory responsibility must report all incidents of discrimination and discriminatory harassment to CCR, including incidents that do not involve sexual harassment or sexual misconduct. All other WSU employees are strongly encouraged to report such incidents. 

If Sex or Gender-Based Violence is Reported to You

Below are some resources for survivors and advocates of sex and gender-based violence. 

Helping a Survivor

If sex or gender-based violence was reported to you, you can help the reporter locate resources for reporting, advocacy, healing, and safety. 

Secondary Trauma 

If you learn of sex or gender-based violence, you may experience something referred to as “secondary trauma.”  If you need to speak with somebody about your concerns, you can reach out to: 

  • Victim Support Agencies or Victim Advocates 
  • Cougar Health Services  
  • WSU Employee Assistance Program 

Reporting to the Police

Anyone who has experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct, sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, or another crime may choose to report the incident to the police. WSU’s process is separate from the criminal process and can be pursued simultaneously. In most cases, CCR will defer to the complainant’s wishes regarding whether to contact the police and/or file a complaint; however, there are situations in which the safety of the WSU community or other considerations may require CCR to report an incident to the police. CCR will attempt to inform the complainant of its decision when this occurs. 

Other Reporting 

Under state law, all administrative, academic, and athletic department employees, including student employees, are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to law enforcement or to the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families. All other higher education employees are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to their supervisor within 48 hours (about 2 days) and should report these incidents to law enforcement. To report child abuse and neglect to your regional office, visit https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/safety/report-abuse

Campus Security Authority Reporting

Employees designated as a Campus Security Authority are required to report Clery Act identified crimes to the appropriate Clery administrator. Each campus has its own Campus Security Authorities.