Additional Information Regarding Sexual or Domestic Misconduct

Physical

Emotional/Mental

We support the choices individuals make- whether or not to report, and to whom to report- and recognize that these choices are particularly difficult in some cases. Regardless of your choice to disclose your experience, there are supportive measures throughout West Virginia University on and off campus to ensure your physical and mental wellbeing.

There is no single way to heal after experiencing a sexual assault or interpersonal violence. Every person’s journey, preference, and timeline are different, and that is okay. Healing is not always or only about accessing professional resources available to us. It is also about reclaiming a sense of safety, connection, and belonging.

• Ensure Physical Safety
  • When we discuss physical safety, this might mean reaching a safe place, seeking emergency medical care, or seeking emergency shelter. For some it is not necessarily about being safe, but being safer.
• Connect to Existing Network
  • There are people in your life who want to help you. Social support provides a protective buffer against the negative psychological outcomes often associated with trauma.
• Connect to Professional Support
  • Advocates, law enforcement, and mental health staff can answer your questions about systems of support, as well as offering individualized services based on your needs.
• Reengage with Self
  • Trauma can make us feel disconnected from ourselves. Reengaging with routine can create room for safe and positive interactions. Reconnecting with things that bring you joy help you connect with a sense of dignity, autonomy, and agency.

Being trusted with a disclosure of sexual assault or relationship violence can feel overwhelming, especially if you are not sure what to say or do. That is okay. You do not need to be a professional to be supportive. What matters most is how you show up.

• Acknowledge Hardship and Vulnerability
  • Disclosing sexual assault and trauma takes courage and vulnerability. Acknowledging this in a conversation affirms that you are a safe person to disclose this experience with.
• Listen with Care
  • Let them share their story at their own pace. You do not need all the details of what happened, but being present and listening without judgment is important.
• Believe and Validate
  • Respond with belief and compassion. Phrases like “Thank you for trusting me with this information” can help someone feel safe and seen. Remember, a persons response to trauma may be different than what you expect.
• Let Them Lead
  • Every survivor has different needs. Ask how you can be supportive rather than assume how they want support. Asking “I’m here for you, what do you need right now?” is a good way to start.
• Respect Their Privacy
  • A survivors story is theirs to share. Unless you are a Responsible Employee and are required to make a report, do not share what they have told you without their permission.
• Take care of Yourself Too
  • Supporting someone who has experienced trauma can bring up strong emotions. it is okay to seek help for yourself while showing up for survivors.

When someone you love shares that they’ve experienced sexual or relationship violence, it can be heartbreaking. You may feel overwhelmed, angry, confused, or unsure of what to do. That is normal. What matters most is that your loved one feels supported, believed, and not alone.

• Let them set the pace.
  • It can take time for survivors to process and talk about what happened. Let them guide the conversation and use their own words.
• Believe them.
  • Survivors often worry they won’t be taken seriously, especially by family. Let them know you trust and support them.
• Avoid blame.
  • Questions like “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” or “Were you drinking?” may come from worry, but can feel like blame.
• Offer practical help.
  • Practical help will look different to each person. Listen to what your child is asking for, and meet them where they are in their healing journey.
• Respect their choices.
  • Whether or not they report, press charges, or tell others is up to them. Healing is not one-size-fits-all.

As a faculty or staff member, you may be someone a student turns to during difficult moments in their life. That kind of trust is meaningful and can be a powerful part of their healing process. It is important to know that while your care and support matter, you also have a responsibility under WVU policy as Responsible Employees to report these instances to the Title IX office.

• Be Upfront
  • If a student asks if they can speak to you confidentially, be honest about your role as a Responsible Employee, and let them know you may have to report what you discuss.
• Direct to Anonymous Employees
  • If a student decides they want to discuss to an issue with someone else, you can always refer them to an anonymous employee. Anonymous employees can discuss situations with students and do not have to file an official report. [do we want to enter our hotline or link to all anon employees on our resource page?]
• Provide Support
  • Whether the student continues with a disclosure or decides to talk to an Anonymous Employee, you are still able to provide support. Acknowledge the strength and courage it took the student to come to you, connect them to appropriate resources, and validate the emotions they may be feeling.