Sexual misconduct has no place on our campus. Every Tiger should be able to live,
work, study, and participate in activities free from the fear of sexual misconduct and
sex discrimination. Learn what you can do as a Faculty or Staff member to help yourself
and others end sexual misconduct on our campus.
Who Has Been the Victim of Sexual Misconduct?
When a staff member is the victim of sexual misconduct, they will be afforded all
of the rights and protections that are guaranteed in our Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Support and information on reporting options is available through the Employee Assistance Program, the University Police, and Human Resources.
Received a Report of Sexual Misconduct
As a university employee, you may learn of an incident of sexual misconduct, dating/domestic
violence, or stalking. Your response is very important and may determine whether a
victim/survivor chooses to tell anyone else or seek professional assistance.
University Policy requires that you immediately report the information that you have
learned to the Title IX Coordinator. Do not initiate your own investigation. Even with the best intentions, doing so may
exacerbate a situation or compromise an investigation. When approached by an individual
in active disclosure, be sure to:
- Be clear about your role, your responsibility to report the information shared, and
your ability to help.
- Do not promise confidentiality; rather be prepared to offer the victim/survivor information
about where they can report confidentially, should they prefer to do that. Confidential
reporting can be made on campus to the Counseling Center, Health Center staff, and off campus resources TurnAround.
- Notify the victim that he or she may request that the University refrain from initiating
or conducting an investigation.
- Inform the victim of their right to file a complaint with both law enforcement and
the University, simultaneously.
- Advise the victim that victim advocacy services, support, and information regarding
reporting options are available from the Title IX Coordinator.
- Listen, but do not investigate.
- Promptly notify the Title IX Coordinator of the allegation within 48 hours of the
report.
Reports to the Title IX Coordinator can be made as follows:
The Title IX Coordinator is also available to answer any questions that you may have
regarding your rights and responsibilities as a Towson University employee.
Following a report or complaint of sexual misconduct, the university will:
- Inform the individual reporting the misconduct of the option to request confidentiality
and available confidential advocacy, counseling, or other support services, including
confidential resources; reporting options and the applicable processes; and the importance
of preserving evidence and seeking medical attention.
- Facilitate interim measures, when applicable.
- Take immediate and appropriate steps to investigate or otherwise determine what occurred.
If the University determines that sexual misconduct created a hostile environment,
the University will take appropriate steps to address the situation, regardless whether
the reporting party, the reporting parties parent, or a third party files a formal
complaint.
Assisting the Accused
Individuals accused of policy violations are afforded the right to due process. Accused
individuals may often reach out for guidance, advice, or support. Serving as a resource
for people accused of misconduct is a critical way that you can help ensure safety
and respect for all parties involved. Resources for the accused include:
Resources
TurnAround
Provides trained advocates for Baltimore County and Baltimore City that offer emotional,
medical, and legal support and information 24-hours a day. They are a local organization
that provides free and confidential immediate and ongoing counseling and advocacy
for anyone impacted by sexual violence, including friends and family of victims/survivors.
Get Help
Phone: (443) 279-0379 24hr Hotline or (410) 377-8111 to schedule an appointment
The Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center (SARC)
Provides trained advocates for Harford County that offer victims, potential victims,
and survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and stalking. All
of SARC’s services are offered in a confidential environment of trust and includes
domestic violence program, sexual violence program, legal advocacy program, bed shelter,
community outreach and education services and 24-hour helpline. Get Help
Phone (410) 836-8430
Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program (VASPA)
Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program provides trained advocates for Montgomery County that offer victims information and
referral, advocacy, crisis and ongoing counseling, support and compensation services
for victims of crimes committed in Montgomery Country or who live in Montgomery County.
Assistance is also provided to the victims’ families and significant others.
Phone: 240-777-4357 24-hr crisis line or 240-777-1355 weekdays
Center for Abused Persons
Is a private, non-profit agency providing the citizens of Charles County with crisis
and on-going professional counseling; support services and emergency shelter for victims
of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Get Help
Phone: 301-645-3336 24-Hour Hotline or 301-645-8994
Baltimore County Police
Baltimore County Police define sexual violence crimes by Maryland law. Maryland law has different definitions
of sexual violence than Towson University. Criminal cases in a court of law also
use a beyond a reasonable doubt standard to determine if a law was broke.
Phone: 911
Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC)
Provides free SAFE exams (sexual assault forensic evidence) that collects and preserves DNA evidence after
a sexual assault. The evidence could be used if criminal charges are pursued. SAFE
exams are available 24 hours, every day of the year. The exams are conducted at 6701
N. Charles Street Towson, MD.
Phone: (443) 849-3323
Mercy Medical Center
Provides free SAFE exams (sexual assault forensic evidence) that collects and preserves DNA evidence after
a sexual assault. The evidence could be used if criminal charges are pursued. Located
at 345 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD.
Phone: (410) 332-9477
Maryland Legal Aid
Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals throughout the state of Maryland. This includes residents
of rural and urban settings, disabled persons, children, seniors, farm workers, and
those at risk of losing housing, custody, health and income maintenance.
Phone: (410) 951-7777
The People's Law Library of Maryland
Maryland Office of the Public Defender
Provides defense counsel to persons who cannot afford a private attorney
Phone: (410) 767-8460
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)
Operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline. Carries out programs to prevent sexual
violence and help victims. Get Help
Phone: 1-800-656-4673
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Highly trained advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing
domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects
of their relationship. Get Help
Phone: 1-800-799-7233
Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA)
The coalition focuses on public policy, education activities, community outreach and
technical assistance and legal services. Get Information
Phone: 301-328-7023
Sexual Assault Legal Institute (SALI)
A program of MCASA that provides direct legal services for victims and survivors of
sexual violence. Get Information
Phone: 301-565-2277
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)
The coalition does not provide direct services, but have a referral site for other
resources covering a wide variety or needs. Get Information
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
The NSVRC does not provide direct services to sexual assault victims but rather supports those
who do, such as coalitions, rape crisis centers, national, state and local agencies
and allied programs.
National Stalking Resource Center
Provides multiple services including: training, technical assistance, website and
an information clearinghouse. The Stalking Resource Center provides direct assistance to build the capacity of criminal justice and victim services
organizations to respond effectively to stalking.