Where And How to Report Sexual Violence or Harassment

You have options for reporting an experience of sexual assault, dating violence, relationship violence or stalking, or sexual harassment, including reporting to law enforcement and/or the University.

Reporting Sexual Violence or Sexual Harassment to Cleveland State University

If you wish to report an incident of sexual violence, rape, relationship violence, stalking or sexual harassment to the University, you may contact the Office for Institutional Equity (OIE) at 216-687-2223 or at OIE@csuohio.edu, or contact the University's Title IX Coordinators directly  by email to l.n.flores52@csuohio.edu, or by calling 216-687-2223. If your situation is urgent and OIE is closed, you may reach the Title IX Coordinators by calling or texting 216-369-9445. You may also report an incident in person to the Title IX Coordinators by making an appointment or just showing up at the Office for Institutional Equity, which is located in the Parker Hannifin Administration Center (AC), Room 236.  The street address for the AC building is 2300 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-2214. 

Deciding whether to make a report, where to make it, and choosing how to proceed are important and can be difficult decisions. You are welcome to come to OIE just to discuss your reporting options. OIE will never require you to make a report to OIE, the police or anyplace else. If you want, OIE will connect you with whatever you believe is the best resource for you to report to based on your goals for your situation. This page also contains a list of resources that are available to you. If you have unique needs that these resources don't address, OIE will work with you to identify resources that can meet your needs.

For information about what happens if you report a matter to OIE, you can review the OIE Complaint form on this webpage, as well as the Procedures for Investigating Discrmination, Harassment, Sexual Violence and Retaliation.

The University also encourages complainants to pursue criminal action for incidents that may also be crimes under state criminal law, including sexual violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking. The University will assist a complainant, at the complainant's request, in contacting local law enforcement and will cooperate with local or campus law enforcement agencies if a complainant decides to pursue the criminal process. 

Reporting Anonymously

An individual may make an anonymous report of an incident of sexual violence or exploitation, stalking, dating violence or relationship violence. A report may be made without disclosing one's own name, identifying the respondent, or requesting any action. The University's ability to respond or take further action may be impacted by the level of information available about the incident or individuals involved. Anonymous reports can be made through either of the following two methods:

• Select the "Make a Report" link at the top of this web page; or
• Dial toll-free, within the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and Canada: 888-837-1824

After you complete your report you will be assigned a unique code called a "report key." Write down your report key and password and keep them in a safe place. After 5-6 business days, use your report key and password to check your report for feedback or questions.  Please note that anoymous reporting is NOT 911 or an emergency service.  As such, do not make anonymous reports of events presenting an immediate threat to life or property. Reports submitted through this service may not receive an immediate response. If you require emergency assistance, please contact your local law enforcement.

What Doesn't Happen if You Report

It is also important to know what doesn't happen if you contact OIE about sexual violence or sexual harassment.

First, OIE isn't going to call your parents (unless you are in an emergency situation and the University needs to call to your emergency contact).

Second, OIE is never going to require you to share details of traumatic events. In fact, OIE will assist and support you whether you provide details of your sitaution or not.

Third, OIE is never going to require you to take any action you don't want or aren't ready to take. OIE isn't oging to require you to go to the police, nor will OIE try to pursuade you to go to the police. When you work with OIE, you are in the driver's seat. You are 100% in charge of the relationship. OIE will lay out your options and propose strategies consistent with the goals you have identified for your situation. What choices you make, whether to do something or nothing, are completely your call. Always.

Fourth, OIE will protect the confidentiality of your information, and will share information about you only when there is a business/educational need-to-know and only to people who need that information to support you. 

If you have questions, you are welcome to contact OIE and ask, "Tell me about what happens if I report."