Title IX Reporting Processes

Reporting processes are important to our community.

Reporting and Confidentially Disclosing Sexual Harassment

Webster University encourages those who have experienced sexual harassment to talk to a member of the Office for Civil Rights Compliance (OCRC) or a counselor about the occurrence. Doing so connects these individuals to the appropriate support, and allows Webster University to respond appropriately.

Employees in various roles on campus have different abilities to maintain the complainant’s confidentiality. Employees, such as counselors, are required to maintain near complete confidentiality.

Other employees are required to report all the details of an incident (including the identities of all parties involved in the incident) to the Title IX Coordinator. A report to these employees (also known as "responsible employees") constitutes a report to the University, and generally obligates Webster University to investigate the incident and take appropriate steps to follow-up on the alleged incident.

Make a Secure Title IX Report

Step-by-Step Process Guide

There are prohibited offenses considered to be "sexual harassment" as they relate to the Webster University’s Title IX Policy on Sexual Harassment. You have options if you experience:

  • Dating Violence
  • Domestic Violence
  • Sexual Assault
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Stalking

Reporting the Incident

You are strongly encouraged to report sexual violence to the police. Report to any police officer in person, or by calling one of the numbers to the right. Reporting to police will not affect your ability to pursue a disciplinary complaint through the University. The University's process is independent of the criminal process.

Emergency: dial 911 or Webster University Public Safety Emergency: 314-968-6911
Non-emergency: Webster Groves: 314-645-3000 or Webster University Public Safety Non-Emergency: 314-968-7430

Seeking Emergency Medical Attention

You are strongly encouraged to seek medical attention. You may obtain medical attention at any medical facility. SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital St. Louis is located in Richmond Heights and has a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in the Emergency Room.

SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital St. Louis: 6420 Clayton Road, Richmond Heights, MO 63117, 314-768-8000

Reporting Sexual Harassment

You are strongly encouraged to report incidents of sexual harassment to the University by contacting the Office for Civil Rights Compliance:

Title IX Coordinator: 314-246-7780

Seeking Confidential Crisis Counseling

You are strongly encouraged to seek confidential counseling. You can obtain crisis counseling and confidential information, advice and support through any of the sources listed here:

Safe Connections: Business 314-646-7500 | Hotline 314-531-2003 | safeconnections.org

Webster University Confidential Crisis Resources: The Sexual Offense Advocate can be reached 24-hours a day, seven days a week by mobile phone at 314-252-8304, or during office hours in the Counseling and Life Development Office at 314-968-7030 or 800-981-8904.

Seeking Ongoing Confidential Counseling

There are many sources of information, assistance and support at the University and in the community.

  • At the University, confidential support is available through Counseling and Life Development 314-968-7030.
  • In the St. Louis community, confidential support is available through:

Seeking Protective and Supportive Measures

University Measures

The University can provide protective and supportive remedies to the reporting party of sexual assault, sexual harassment and other sexual offenses, including: modifications to academic schedules, campus housing, student leadership, or working situations, as well as providing academic support or making special arrangements for withdrawing or dropping classes without penalty, if requested and reasonably available, regardless if the reporting party chooses to file a formal report. No contact measures may also be implemented.

Obtained Outside of the University

St. Louis Circuit Court Order of Protection. Where there is an immediate threat to health or safety, it may also be possible to obtain a judicial protective order. The University Office of Public Safety or the Sexual Offense Advocate can provide information and assistance in filing for an order of protection.

Confidential Contact: Sexual Offense Advocate 314-252-8304, or during office hours 314-968-7030.
These contacts have a duty to investigate any reports of sexual misconduct:

Options for Reporting

You may report crimes of sexual violence to the police and/or to the University. You may report:

  1. To the police, in which case the Prosecuting Attorney will decide whether or not to pursue criminal charges.
  2. To the University, in which case the University will assess the report and determine the appropriate course of action.

You may pursue both or neither of these options. The University encourages individuals to report. You need not report immediately, but important evidence may be lost through the passage of time.

Police Report: Webster Groves Police Department 314-645-3000

University Report: You may report incidents of sexual harassment to the University by contacting the director for the Office for Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX Coordinator 314-246-7780.

Detailed information about reporting options and University investigations/resolution is set forth in the Webster University Policy on Sexual Assault, Harassment and Other Sexual Offenses.

Obligations at a University Level

Once a University responsible employee has information about sexual violence, harassment or other sexual offenses, the University is required by law to investigate and take prompt and effective action to:

  1. End any misconduct that occurred;
  2. Remedy its effect; and
  3. Prevent its recurrence.

The University is obligated to protect the safety of the University community, whether or not you wish to pursue disciplinary resolution.

Different employees on campus have different abilities to maintain a reporting party's confidentiality. Some employees are required to report all the details of an incident (including the identities of both the reporting party and responding party) to the Title IX Coordinator. A report to the Title IX Coordinator constitutes a report to the University and generally obligates Webster University to investigate the incident and take appropriate steps to address the situation.

Privileged and Confidential Communications: Reporting to Professional Counselors

Professional counselors, or counseling interns, who provide mental-health counseling to members of the University community, are not required to report any information about an incident to the Title IX Coordinator without a reporting party's permission.

For additional information about confidentiality of information, see the Webster University Policy on Sexual Assault, Harassment and Other Sexual Offenses.

Download a printable PDF

Webster is committed to providing prompt, fair and impartial investigation and resolution of reports of violations under the Policy on Sexual Harassment.

Webster University's Informal Resolution and Live Hearing Processes

Informal Resolution Process

The Informal Resolution Process is followed for all reports of Student versus Student allegations of sexual harassment where both parties agree to resolve the issue through this form of mediation. The Informal Resolution Process is prohibited for Student versus Employee allegations of sexual harassment. Please refer to the full policy for more information.

Live Hearing Process

The Live Hearing Process will be followed for all reports of sexual harassment that are not resolved through the Informal Resolution Process in allegations where both parties are students or if the respondent is a student. Formal reports issued that involve a Student versus an Employee must go through the Live Hearing Process. Please refer to the full policy for more information.