(DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)
DePaul's Office of Gender Equity remains here for the entire DePaul community, even in the midst of a pandemic. The office is fully functioning and operating remotely.
OGE is responsible for monitoring and overseeing campus-wide implementation of DePaul's Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy, Sexual and Relationship Violence Prevention and Response Policy and interim Formal Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures. This includes training efforts, ongoing education, and managing complaint procedures for faculty, staff, students and third parties in regard to sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
Reporting options
OGE has two full-time investigators who manage DePaul's sex-based misconduct reports. They respond to reports of conduct that potentially violate ADAH, SRV or the interim Formal Title IX policies.
Students, faculty and staff have a variety of reporting options including:
- Easy-to-use online form: The Sexual and Relationship Violence Reporting Form requests background information and general information about the incident and involved parties, and includes a section to upload additional supporting documentation
- Emailing titleixcoordinator@depaul.edu
- Calling (312) 362-8970
For those who wish to report an incident anonymously, community members can call (877) 236-8390, or complete this form on the confidential and secure EthicsPoint website.
Furthermore, OGE recently submitted DePaul's 2019 Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act Annual Report. The report, which covers the 2019 calendar year, shares university policy, specific trainings conducted, and data related to reports of sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking involving students.
Resources
In addition to the OGE website, the Sexual and Relationship Violence Information Sheet provides comprehensive information, including:
- An overview of DePaul's ADAH, SRV and interim Formal Title IX policies
- Reporting rights and options
- DePaul's commitment to privacy and confidentiality
- Complaint process and procedures
- Support resources
Each time a report is submitted online, by phone or email, the person submitting the report receives a link to the Sexual and Relationship Violence Information Sheet.
In order to comply with the Illinois Human Rights Act and to continue to educate the DePaul community, OGE also regularly creates on-campus posters on sexual harassment prevention and works with campus partners to post them prominently.
DePaul partners
To ensure a safe and equitable community, OGE works closely with a variety of DePaul stakeholders and offices. For example, DePaul's Office of Health Promotion and Wellness is a critical partner for OGE. HPW staff are trained survivor support advocates who provide students, faculty and staff with a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space to receive emotional support and explore options.
OGE also collaborates closely with DePaul's Office of Institutional Compliance to create employee training materials that educate faculty, staff and student employees on sexual harassment. DePaul's 2020 General Compliance Training included specific questions, answers and explanations on the State of Illinois' definition of sexual harassment.
As OGE looks toward 2021, the team is committed to continuing to educate and prevent sexual harassment and violence within the DePaul community. Also, if the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Office of Civil Rights changes or updates their directives, the team will be on standby to address those within DePaul's policies.