University employees designated as “responsible employees” have an obligation to report any information about possible discrimination, harassment and sexual and sex-based misconduct to OIE. They must promptly report all known relevant information, including but not limited to: (1) the name of the complainant, respondent, and any witnesses; (2) the date, time, and location of the misconduct; and (3) any other pertinent facts. OIE will then determine next steps.
Responsible employees can easily file a report using OIE’s online Responsible Employee Report Form.
Responsible employees include:
- All faculty, including deans and department chairs/directors
- Student Affairs staff
- Athletic Coaches
- Resident Advisors (RAs)
- All supervisors (meaning JHU employees who supervise other employees)
- Academic advisors and administrators
- JHU Public Safety staff
- Human Resources staff
- Office of Institutional Equity Staff
Please note that no employee is authorized to investigate or resolve reports or complaints of this nature without express direction from OIE.
Step 1: Inform
Inform the student/staff/faculty (hereinafter referred to as the “individual”) that you are a responsible employee and have a duty to report information regarding discrimination, harassment and/or sexual/sex-based misconduct. Be thoughtful and try not to stop the individual from sharing their experience too abruptly.
What should I say if the individual begins to share information about possible discrimination, harassment, and/or sexual/sex-based misconduct?
- “I think that you are about to tell me something about an unwanted sexual situation/an incident that I may be obligated to report. I am here to listen and I want to help you, but I am a responsible employee and I am required to take the information that you share with me to the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE).”
- “Even if you do not feel comfortable sharing anything more with me, I can still help connect you with on-campus confidential resources.” [For more information about confidential resources, see Additional Resources below and the Confidential Resources webpage.]
- “If you feel comfortable sharing your experience with me, we can talk about how OIE will reach out to you after I fulfill my responsible employee obligation.”
What should I do if the individual discloses more information?
Please explain that:
- Someone from OIE will reach out to the individual to offer information about their options and various resources;
- While it is up to the individual whether they want to respond to OIE’s e-mail, OIE will also simultaneously assess what risk the reported complaint may pose to the individual and/or the JHU community, and thus if any immediate action is needed;
- OIE will send at least one additional follow-up e-mail if the individual does not respond to OIE’s initial outreach; and
- The individual can connect with confidential and non-confidential resources regardless of whether or not they engage with OIE.
Step 2: Support
How should I show my support for the individual who disclosed to me?
- Patiently listen, don’t judge, and allow the individual to share what they want.
- Empower the individual to make their own choices about which resources to utilize and what to do next, if anything.
Step 3: Report
Promptly submit OIE’s online Responsible Employee Report Form, call OIE at 410-516-8075, or e-mail [email protected] (no later than 24-48 hours of speaking with the individual).
What does OIE do after receiving a report from a Responsible Employee?
OIE will reach out to the individual – most often by e-mail – to offer information about their options and various resources. OIE also seeks to understand the individual’s preferences for moving forward. While certain situations and information – such as active safety concerns – may require OIE to take action without first speaking with the individual, OIE generally prefers to speak with the individual before moving forward with formal action, like an investigation.