Individuals of any sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity may experience sexual or relationship violence. There is nothing a person can do to deserve or provoke sexual or relationship violence.
Reports of sexual and relationship violence should be made to DePaul’s Title IX
Coordinator, by phone (312) 362-8970 or email: titleixcoordinator@depaul.edu. The
Title IX Coordinator is located in the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity at 14 E.
Jackson, Ste. 800.
If the matter is an emergency, the report should be made to DePaul Public Safety (Lincoln Park: 773-325-7777, Loop: 312-362-8400). The Public Safety Office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sexual and relationship violence is defined at DePaul as follows:
Sex Offense (including Sexual Assault): Sex Offense means any sexual act directed
against another person without consent, including instances where the individual is
incapable of giving consent as defined below. Sexual Offenses include, but are not
limited to, rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, fondling or kissing
without consent, incest, statutory rape, the threat of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or
any unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature, that occurs without consent by all the
individuals involved. Many sex offenses are also sometimes collectively referred to as
sexual assault.
Sexual Misconduct: Sexual Misconduct means taking sexual advantage of another
person for the benefit of oneself or a third party when consent is not present. This
includes, but is not limited to
• sexual voyeurism or permitting others to observe the intimate activity of another
person;
• indecent or lewd exposure;
• recording any person engaged in sexual or intimate activity in a private space;
• distributing sexual or intimate information, images or recordings about another
person; or
• inducing incapacitation in another person with the intent to engage in sexual
conduct, regardless of whether prohibited sexual conduct actually occurs.
Domestic Violence. Domestic Violence means violence committed by a family or
household member. A family or household member includes parents, children, current
or former spouses, a person with whom the reporting/affected individual shares a child
in common, a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the
reporting/affected individual, and others as defined by Illinois law.
Dating Violence. Dating Violence means violence committed by a person who is or
has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the
reporting/affected individual (i.e., a relationship which is characterized by the
expectation of affection or sexual involvement between the parties); and where the
existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of factors
such as the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of
interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
Domestic and dating violence can be a single event or a pattern of behavior. The
following are examples:
• Physical violence or assault;
• Sexual violence;
• Emotional violence;
• Economic abuse;
• Threats;
• Property damage; and
• Violence or threat of violence to one's self, one's sexual or romantic partner,
and/or to the family members or friends of the sexual or romantic partner.
Stalking. Stalking means a course of conduct (i.e. two or more acts) directed at a
specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the
safety of others; or to suffer substantial emotional distress.
At DePaul, consent is defined as unambiguous and freely given agreement to move
forward with a specific sexual request, act, or experience. Consent cannot be obtained
from individuals who are unable to understand the nature of the activity or give consent
due to being asleep, unconscious, underage, or due to having a temporary or
permanent mental or physical incapacity, including as a result of drug or alcohol use.
Consent is an affirmative act, not a lack of action. Lack of verbal or physical resistance
or submission as the result of force, coercion, duress, or threat thereof does not
constitute consent. The absence of "no" or "stop" should never be interpreted as implicit
consent, if consent is otherwise unclear. An individual's manner of dress does not
constitute consent. Consent to past sexual activity or a past sexual relationship does not
constitute consent. Consent to engage in sexual activity with one individual does not
constitute consent to engage in sexual activity with another individual. Resistance is not
required to demonstrate lack of consent. Consent can be withdrawn at any time
Reporting:
Federal laws, including Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex
discrimination in education, require that university employees, including faculty, respond
with specific steps when an individual discloses issues related to sexual or relationship
violence. These steps are detailed below.
If a student or another faculty or staff member discloses to you that they:
• Have experienced sexual or relationship violence
• Have witnessed or learned about sexual or relationship violence
• Are facing potential consequences in, or are otherwise involved in, an issue related to
sexual or relationship violence
Follow these steps:
1. DISCLOSE YOUR ROLE. As soon as the individual appears to be disclosing an
issue related to sexual or relationship violence, inform the individual of your obligation to
report any information shared. If the individual wishes to speak to someone
confidentially, offer to connect the individual with a confidential reporting resource. The
following offices at DePaul have been designated as confidential reporting resources for
students and employees:
• Office of Health Promotion & Wellness (773-325-7129) - Ask to be transferred to a
Survivor Support Advocate
• Ordained individuals or otherwise recognized religious leaders engaging in pastoral
care in University Ministry (773-325-7902)
For students only:
• University Counseling and Psychological Services [(773-325-SAFE (2273)]
• Student Legal Services (773-325-1588 or sls@depaul.edu)
For employees only:
University Ombudsperson (312-362-8707 or ombuds@depaul.edu)
2. CARE. Ensure that the person is safe. Show empathy. Give non-judgmental
support.
4. REPORT. Regardless of whether the individual will report the incident, you are
required to promptly report the incident to DePaul’s Title IX Coordinator. This report can
be made directly to the Title IX Coordinator or through Public Safety or the Office of
Health Promotion and Wellness.
• Title IX Coordinator (312-362-8970, titleixcoordinator@depaul.edu)
• DePaul Public Safety (Lincoln Park: 773-325-7777; Loop: 312-362-
8400)(open 24 hours/7 days a week).
• Office of Health Promotion & Wellness (773-325-7129)
You can also report the information through:
More information about these other reporting responsibilities can be found in the Crime
Reporting and Clery Act Compliance policy or on the Public Safety website.