Reports
A few questions may come to mind when you are considering whether to make a report about conduct you or someone you know has experienced.
A snapshot of what happens when a report is made to the University:
Download a snapshot of what happens when a report is made to the University.
Have specific questions about the process and EOC’s role? Check out the below for more information.
At the time you make a report, you do not have to decide whether to request any particular course of action. Choosing to make a report and deciding how to move forward after making the report is a process that can unfold over time. For example, you might choose to pursue support resources initially and later pursue adjudication, or you may wish to engage immediately in a formal investigation. The University will make every effort to respect your decisions about how to proceed, recognizing that the University must move forward with cases in which there appears to be a threat to any individual or to the University as a whole. Know that resources are available to support an affected individual regardless of the course of action that is chosen.
The EOC Office encourages all members of the University community to recognize the demonstrated public health benefits of limiting person-to-person contact and avoiding large groups to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, in compliance with the University’s Community Standards. The EOC Office also wishes to promote an environment where students are not afraid to seek help for discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, and interpersonal violence due to the added fear of disciplinary repercussions for not adhering to our COVID-related standards in the context of the discrimination, harassment, or violence they seek to report. With these priorities in mind, amnesty from formal University disciplinary action related to our community standards will be granted to a student who is reporting sexual violence, interpersonal violence, or other violation of the University’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment or Related Misconduct or Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy.
To promote the health and safety of the campus and local community, EOC staff may be required to share information about large group gatherings with appropriate University or local officials. However, that information will be shared in a way that protects the privacy of the individual who is reporting discrimination, harassment, or violence to the EOC.
Nothing in the provision above absolves a student from the responsibility to notify Campus Health of a positive test for COVID-19 so that appropriate contact tracing can be conducted.
Individuals are encouraged to talk with Report and Response Coordinators if they have questions about information sharing. Additional support can also be found on the SAFE@UNC website.
Finally, please note the EOC cannot guarantee amnesty from any civil or criminal legal action, or from any legal consequences arising from a student’s violation of local, state, or federal law.
In the event of sexual violence, you may want to preserve any DNA evidence left on your clothing or body. If you do choose to go to the hospital for an exam and to have evidence collected, avoid showering, brushing your teeth, or going to the bathroom until you’ve gone to the hospital.
Recording and logging information such as dates and times of incidents can also help you create a safety plan should you sense the conduct will happen again. As you document each incident, you may find there are patterns or events associated with the conduct. It may be helpful to keep a notebook or journal on hand but you may want to find a safe space in which to store it. Taking screenshots on your phone or photographs can provide a time stamp for many forms of unwanted contact, attention, or conduct.
View a handout with more information about the preservation of evidence >>