First Steps and Options

If you have experienced Prohibited Conduct as previously described, you should consider the following:

Reporting the Incident

The University is committed to providing a prompt, thorough, equitable, and impartial resolution of reported violations of this Policy. There are several resolutions options available for addressing Complaints. The Equity Office will seek input from the Complainant regarding resolution options but, ultimately, the Equity Office has the discretion to determine the most appropriate path for addressing a compliant.

Emergency law enforcement assistance
Law enforcement assistance is available both on and off campus. Individuals are encouraged to contact law enforcement and seek help as soon as possible following an incident that may pose a threat to safety or physical well-being or following a potential criminal offense. To contact law enforcement, call the Baylor University Police Department or Waco Police Department. Contact information is provided in the Resources and Support Services section of this brochure.
Reporting options and related information
The University encourages all individuals to report Prohibited Conduct or a potential violation of this policy to the Equity Office, the Baylor University Police Department, and/or to local law enforcement. A Complainant has the right to report, or decline to report, potential criminal conduct to law enforcement. Upon request, the University will assist a Complainant in contacting law enforcement at any time. Under limited circumstances that appear to pose a threat to the health or safety of any University community member, the University may independently notify law enforcement.

An individual may make a report to the University, to law enforcement, to neither, or to both. Campus Civil Rights processes and law enforcement investigations operate independently of one another, although the University will coordinate information with the Baylor University Police Department as appropriate. Anyone can make a report as follows:
- Make a report to the Equity Office in person, by telephone, by email, or online at baylor.edu/equity
- If on campus, contact the Baylor University Police Department for assistance in filing a criminal complaint and preserving physical evidence (254-710-2222).
- If off campus, contact local law enforcement to file a criminal Complaint (dial 911 or, if in Waco, 254-750-7500).

An individual may pursue some or all of these steps at the same time (e.g., one may simultaneously pursue a Civil Rights report and a criminal Complaint). When initiating any of the above options, an individual does not need to know whether they wish to request any particular course of action nor how to label what happened. As part of a report to the Equity Office, an individual can also request and supportive measures.

Anonymous reporting
Anonymous reports can be made by submitting information on the Baylor Equity baylor.edu/titleix/report. Based on the nature of the information submitted, the University’s ability to respond to an anonymous report will likely be limited.
Requests for anonymity
Once a Complaint has been shared with the Equity Office, a Complainant may also directly request that their identity remain private (request for anonymity), that no investigation occur, or that no disciplinary action be taken The University will carefully balance this request with the University’s commitment to utilize its reasonable best efforts to provide a non-discriminatory and harassment-free environment, and the Respondent’s right to have specific notice of the allegation(s) if the University were to take action that affects the Respondent In such circumstances, the Associate Vice President for Equity may arrange for preliminary fact-finding by an investigator to gain a better understanding of the context of the Complaint or take other appropriate steps, including consulting with the University’s Threat Assessment Group.

Preserving Evidence of the Incident(s)

It is important to preserve evidence as it may be necessary in an investigation. Evidence is best collected as soon as possible. Related electronic evidence (e.g., text messages, photographs) and documents should be preserved.

Some people may wish to report Prohibited Conduct as a crime, while others may not want to report. The decision can be difficult.

No one should be forced into making a choice right away. Having evidence collected in no way obligates you to file a Complaint with the University or to make a report to law enforcement agencies that could lead to criminal prosecution, or to seek a protective order, but would preserve this information in the event that you decide to take such actions at a later date, or decide later to ask the University to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

Seeking Counseling Support

Self-care is important when coping with events that would be prohibited under the Policy. You are encouraged to seek confidential counseling and support from offices and/or entities identified in the Resources and Support Services section of this brochure. If you have additional questions or need further assistance, the Equity Office can assist you in navigating these resources and options.