Confidentially Disclosing Sexual Misconduct

Several offices and individuals on campus are designated as confidential resources for members of the University community who wish to discuss an incident of sexual misconduct without or before reporting it to the Title IX Coordinator. Individuals who are not prepared to make a report or who may be unsure how to label what happened to them, but seek information and support, are encouraged to contact a confidential resource. As discussed below, some of these confidential resources do not report any information to the University Title IX Coordinator (professional, licensed counselors and pastoral counselors who provide mental health counseling at the University) and others (Student Health Services and Student Advocacy & Support) report non-identifying information about violations of this policy to the Title IX Coordinator for tracking purposes only.

If a complainant wants to maintain confidentiality by disclosing only to a confidential resource and not reporting to the University, the University will be unable to conduct an investigation into the particular incident or pursue disciplinary action against the respondent. A victim advocate will still assist the complainant in receiving other necessary protection and support, such as off-campus reporting or protective orders, academic support or accommodations, changes to living, working or class schedules, or referrals to other confidential resources like disability, health or mental health services. The University’s ability to provide these protections and supports may be limited, however, if the complainant does not want to pursue an investigation and disciplinary action against the respondent.

A complainant who initially requests confidentiality may later decide to file a complaint with the University or report the incident to law enforcement and have the incident fully investigated.

A. Certified Victim Advocates

Victim support services are available to UD students and are free and confidential. Certified and trained victim advocates can provide you with support and assist in connecting you to resources regarding reporting, academics, safety, housing, medical needs and much more.

Student Advocacy & Support
Zainab Shah, M.A., DVS, CA (Confidential Victim Advocate)

Assistant Director, Victim Advocacy

280 The Green, Newark, DE 19716

victimsupport@udel.edu

Victim Support Services

B. Professional and Pastoral Counselors

Professional, licensed counselors and pastoral counselors who provide mental health counseling to members of the University community will not report any information to the Title IX Coordinator without a complainant’s written permission. This protection also extends to individuals who work or volunteer in these offices, including front desk staff and students. The following are the professional and pastoral counselors on the University campus:

Center for Counseling and Student Development

Warner Hall
280 The Green, Newark, DE 19716

302-831-2141
Website: udel.edu/counseling

TimelyCare: Talk Now – 24/7 mental health support via telehealth

C. Student Health Services staff 

Individuals who work in Student Health Services, including front desk staff, can talk to a complainant without being required to reveal any personally identifying information to the University Title IX Coordinator. A complainant can seek assistance and support from these individuals without the possibility of triggering a University Title IX investigation.

While maintaining the complainant’s confidentiality, these individuals or their offices must report the nature, date, time and general location of an incident of sexual misconduct to the University Title IX Coordinator. This limited report – which includes no information that would directly or indirectly identify the complainant – helps keep the University Title IX Coordinator informed of the general nature and extent of sexual violence on and off campus so the coordinator can track patterns, evaluate the scope of the problem and formulate appropriate campus-wide responses, but such a report will not trigger an investigation by the University Title IX Coordinator. A complainant can choose to have non-professional counselors and advocates report all information about an incident that may prompt an investigation by the Title IX Coordinator.

Student Health Services
Laurel Hall
282 The Green
Newark, DE 19716
302-831-2226
Website: udel.edu/studenthealth

NOTE: While these professional counselors, medical professionals and advocates may maintain a complainant’s confidentiality in the University setting, they may have other reporting or disclosure obligations under state law, including mandatory reporting of child abuse, situations in which the patient or client presents a danger to themselves or others and responding to subpoenas compelling document production or testimony at trial or in a deposition.

Victim Advocates and licensed counselors are confidential campus resources and do not have to share any information with the Title IX Coordinator.