If you are in need of immediate assistance, call 911 or GW Emergency Services.
Get Help
You are not alone.
If you have experience sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic and/or dating violence, or stalking, there are people at GW and in the community who want to help you. You don’t have to go through this by yourself.
GW students can get 24/7 confidential assistance by calling the Sexual Assault & Intimate Violence (SAIV) Helpline at 202-994-7222. SAIV responders are clinically-trained professionals who can provide crisis counseling, safety planning, and emotional support. They are also well-informed about resources both on and off-campus.
Other Options for Support
Confidentiality of GW Resources and Support
It is important that you are aware of what will happen with information that you share with the university. It is also important that you are aware that the Title IX Office is a private, but not confidential resource. This means that the Title IX Office will make every effort to keep your information private but we will discreetly share information with a limited circle of university employees or designees on a need-to-know basis.
This is usually done on a limited basis with individuals who have received training on how to safeguard private information. The Title IX Office may need to proceed with an investigation (and consult other university departments) when it has considered the following factors:
- Whether the alleged behavior involves the use of a weapon;
- Whether the alleged behavior forms the basis of a pattern involving a heightened risk to the campus community
- Whether the alleged behavior involves a minor
- Other factors listed in Appendix A of the Title IX Sexual Harassment and Related Conduct Policy
- Confidential Resources at GW
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Confidential Resources will not disclose personally identifying information about you to the Title IX Coordinator without your permission. Some Confidential Resources also have the ability to maintain the confidentiality of communications under applicable law. Speaking with a Confidential Resource about Sexual Harassment will not constitute a report to the university or law enforcement.
- Private Resources at GW
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When you speak with the Title IX Office, every effort is made to respect your wishes regarding your privacy. The information you share will be handled discreetly and only shared with a limited circle of university employees who need to know in order to assist in the assessment, investigation and resolution of the report and related issues.
At times your information may be disclosed to ensure that you receive the support you need. For example, if you request a housing change, GW Housing will be notified, but they will not know details about your situation. You do not need to file a Formal Complaint or proceed with a Formal Resolution of your complaint in order to access support services within the University.
Speaking to a member of the Title IX Office does not obligate you to pursue a Formal Complaint or proceed to a Formal Resolution of your complaint. However, both of these options remain available to you at any time.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding GW’s response, please contact Asha Reynolds, Director & Title IX Coordinator.
- Designated Reporters
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Designated Reporters are university community members who are required to promptly report any information they learn about suspected or alleged sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic and/or dating violence, and stalking to the Title IX Coordinator.
Designated Reporters include, but are not limited to, faculty, resident advisors, academic advisors, deans, provosts, anyone who directly supervises students, and other staff listed in the Policy. Please contact the Title IX Office if you have any questions about who is considered a designated reporter.
When a Designated Reporter knows about an allegation of sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic and/or dating violence, and stalking, the designated reporter should contact the Title IX Office and provide all relevant information that they know regarding the incident. However, they should not attempt to investigate the incident. Once a report is made to the Title IX Office, the Title IX Office focuses on reaching out to the impacted individual to offer support and resources. Barring a threat of ongoing danger to the impacted individual or the university community, the affected individual is in charge of the steps that are taken and every effort will be made to protect their privacy.
Plan for Your Safety
If you have been affected by sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic and/or dating violence, or stalking and are concerned about your safety, create a safety plan. If you believe you are in immediate danger call 911 or GWPD at 202-994-6111.