Last updated: August 13, 2020

Options for Reporting an Incident OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT/VIOLENCE

Western Connecticut State University (“WCSU” or “University”) has a Campus Response and Resource Team (“CaRRT”) that is readily available to assist and support all members of the university community who has experienced sexual assault/violence, sexual harassment, stalking and intimate partner violence (either) on or off campus.  Confidentiality will be held protected in accordance with the applicable law(s).

1. Formal Reporting: Contacting the WCSU Title IX Coordinator and WCSU Police Department

Reporting any of the above incidents to (either) the WCSU Title IX Coordinator and/or the WCSU Police Department and/or the local authorities does not commit you to further legal action. The earlier you report any such incident, the easier it will be for the local authorities to investigate the crime and to prosecute the case successfully if that is your choice.

Protective and/or Restraining Order(s)

• A protective and/or restraining order may be requested by the courts related to any of the above incidents.
• A court issued protective and/or restraining order prohibits someone from communicating with an alleged victim, from entering the victim’s residence, workplace, school, or property and any place the victim may frequent.
• When informed that a protective and/or restraining order has been issued, WCSU will take immediate steps to enforce the order as it relates to activities on the campus. It is important that students alert the WCSU Police Department that such an order has been issued (providing the Police with a copy of the order is strongly encouraged) . For more information about protective and/or restraining orders students may contact the WCSU Police Department at (203) 837-9300

Criminal Complaint(s)
Members of our university community may decide to make criminal complaints with the WCSU University Police Department. Members of the WCSU Police Department will inform all involved parties of their rights and options.

A member of the WCSU Police Department will conduct a confidential investigation and will keep the involved parties apprised about any decision to prosecute. The WCSU Police Department will review all cases with the State’s Attorney’s Office. The State’s Attorney will make the final decision to prosecute under state law.  If you wish, a member of the WCSU Police Department will contact an advocate from the Women’s Center for Greater Danbury and an advocate will meet you at the police station.

2. University Disciplinary Action:

WCSU Students may wish to contact the WCSU Office of Judicial Affairs after an incident(s) of sexual assault/violence, sexual harassment, stalking and intimate partner violence to pursue disciplinary action. A complete and detailed description of the judicial process may be found in the Student Code of Conduct: https://www.wcsu.edu/stuaffairs/PDFDOCS/Student_Code_of_Conduct.pdf.

Judicial/Disciplinary Option(s)

• External: If you wish to have the assailant prosecuted, the police and district attorney’s office will handle the legal proceedings without expense to you. You do not need to hire an attorney.
• Internal: If the perpetrator is a member of the Western community, you also have the option to file a complaint through the university’s disciplinary system (see Student Handbook). In either instance, a university representative will be available to assist you through the process.

Additional option(s) of filing, simultaneously, a criminal complaint and a university complaint: 

3. Anonymous Reporting

Any individual has the right to complete and virtually submit a complaint on the WCSU Anonymous Incident Report Form which can be found on: https://www.wcsu.edu/police/anonymous-incident-report/ 

This electronic form allows the user to optionally include any personal identifying information (e.g., name, age, address). The purpose of this form is for immediate response to any reported incidents, statistical data collection, as well as to determine possible patterns that may exist. Even with anonymous reporting, WCSU may investigate an incident to determine if the community is in potential danger.
* Note: University employees are required to complete an Anonymous Incident Report Form when made aware of an incident related to sexual assault/violence, sexual harassment, stalking and intimate partner violence.

Assistance in Changing Living Arrangements, Class Schedules or On-campus Work Schedules
WCSU recognizes that residential (and commuter) students may want to change their on-campus living arrangements, class schedules and on-campus work arrangements. Students requesting these changes should contact the Director for the Office of Residential Housing (203-837-8736) and/ or the Dean of Students (203 837-9700).

Members of our university community should not hesitate to make these requests, which will be addressed in a timely manner.