Sexual Assault
The University of San Francisco is committed to providing an environment free from gender-based discrimination or harassment. As such, USF does not tolerate any kind of gender-based discrimination or harassment, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender-based harassment. Consistent with its commitment to addressing gender-based discrimination and harassment, the College complies with Title IX, or the Higher Education Amendment of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities.
Any faculty or staff member informed of an allegation of gender-based misconduct involving students or other members of the college community is mandated to file a report with the University. All faculty and staff have now been enrolled in a Canvas course to view an important video regarding mandated reporting. Please watch the video at your earliest convenience.
Upon receiving a report, the university will respond promptly, equitably, and thoroughly. In addition, the university will take steps to prevent the recurrence of the discrimination or harassment and correct its effects, if appropriate.
Visit the Title IX website for more information.
Report an Incident >>
Disclosures of Sexual Assault or Misconduct
If a student discloses that a sexual assault has recently occurred, stay with them in a safe place. Contact Public Safety at 415-422-2911. Although you are contacting Public Safety, this does not require the student to make a report, it is merely the best way to get in touch with on-call staff. Dispatch will put the student in touch with a trained university staff member who is available to support the student through the process.
Keep in mind that you are not expected to, nor should you, act as a counselor, and should always refer the student to appropriate services as soon as possible. However, you do have an opportunity to make a difference in the healing process in a supportive, non-judgmental way.
Even if the survivor is disclosing an incident that occurred sometime in the distant past, your responsibility as a university employee is to support the student and refer her/him to staff who are trained to assist survivors of sexual assault. Encourage the student to visit Counseling and Psychological Services and report to the CMBIT via the reporting link above.
Steps to guide you through the process:
Step 1: Explain the limits of confidentiality
USF’s policy requires all university officials to report sexual assaults, so it is best to inform the student of this as early in the conversation as possible.
Step 2: Provide support and basic crisis intervention
Be supportive, non-judgmental, and empathic. Encourage the survivor to make her/his own choices and avoid giving advice. Provide information and options.
Step 3: Help the survivor identify options for obtaining help.
In most cases, this means referring them to the Title IX Coordinator by calling 415-422-5330 or emailing deanofstudents@usfca.edu. A follow-up process to ensure adequate support for the student will be made based on the student’s wishes.
Step 4: Encourage the survivor to visit TITLE IX WEBSITE.
The Title IX Office is here to support USF students, faculty, and staff. They connect to resources, learn about reporting options, and to create a secure, private record of what happened with the online reporting form.
Step 5: Notify your supervisor and the CMBIT.
Please keep in mind that USF’s sexual assault policy requires all university employees to report sexual assaults, even if the survivor does not wish to file a formal report. Basic information USF needs to accurately report incidents in accordance with the Clery Act: Is the survivor a student? Is the perpetrator a student? Did the incident happen on or off campus? File a report via the link above or by calling 415-422-5330 during business hours or Public Safety at 415-422-4201 after hours.
Crisis Management and Behavioral Intervention Team (CMBIT)
University Center, 5th Floor
2130 Fulton St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
TEL: 415-422-5330
Hours: 8:30AM - 5:00PM weekdays
If there is an emergency, please contact Public Safety directly at 415-422-2911, or extension 2911 from any on campus phone.
Public Safety Dispatch
Lone Mountain Lower Level
TEL: 415-422-2911
FAX: 415-221-3641
EMAIL: dispatcher@usfca.edu
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.