Filing a Sexual Misconduct Report

I Want to Report

Reporting incidents of sexual misconduct is important for not only complainants but for also the overall campus climate.  All reporting options are encouraged but before you report keep in mind the following details: 

  • Complainants and witnesses of sexual misconduct will not be charged if drug and/or alcohol use is present before and/or during the incident.  
  • Anyone can report. 
  • False reports of sexual misconduct will not be tolerated.  

When it comes to reporting there are many options and each is different in what they can offer you.  Please look through the following options to see what would best fit your needs.  If you have further questions on which option may be best for you please contact Lynn Klingensmith, Title IX Coordinator at 610-436-2433. If you choose to submit a Sexual Misconduct Report, you can find the next steps here. 

University Reporting

Title IX Complaint:

At West Chester University any form of sex discrimination, which includes all incidents of sexual misconduct, is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. If a complainant chooses to move forward with a Formal Complaint, the following options are available:

Formal Complaint - Informal Resolution:

  • Both parties (complainant and respondent), through a written agreement, agree to resolve the matter informally through mediation or some other alternative means.
  • It is a voluntary process.
  • Can be initiated at any time prior to a finding of responsibility in a hearing, and can be terminated at any time prior to the final resolutions.
  • Once a resolution is documented and signed by the parties, the resolution cannot be appealed.

Formal Complaint - Title IX Investigations:

  • A trained investigator will be assigned by the Title IX Coordinator who will contact and interview the complainant(s), respondent(s), and any witness(es), and will collect any relevant evidence (text messages, emails, medical records, etc.). At the conclusion of the interviews, the investigator will prepare an investigative report which summarizes all statements and evidence as part of the investigation.
  • Both parties will be invited to review the Title IX Investigative Report and all evidence and will have the opportunity to respond to the report and evidence. 
  • If the report supports the allegations, the case can be referred to Student Conduct (or appropriate adjudicator authority).
  • During this process, both parties can request Supportive Measures which help to ensure the safety of both parties. These include:
    • Class changes 
    • Parking changes 
    • Housing changes 
    • Academic support 
    • Limitations on contact between parties 

Formal Complaints focus on respecting the wishes of the person who brings the complaint forward while also addressing overall well-being and safety of WCU's campus. Please note that a Title IX investigation is separate from a criminal investigation conducted by the police. To proceed with a Formal Complaint, please contact the Title IX Coordinator: 

  • Lynn Klingensmith, Esq.  
  • Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 
  • 114 W. Rosedale Avenue 
  • LKlingensmith@wcupa.edu
  • 610-436-2433 

Student Conduct Report

All students who attend WCU are required to abide by the policies detailed in our Student Code of Conduct.  Sexual misconduct is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and therefore can be reported through emails, calls, or reports using: wcupa.edu/sexualmisconductreport.  

The following are a few important things to keep in mind when moving forward with the Student Conduct process: 

For more information, contact:

  • Ms. Christina Brenner  
  • Office of Student Conduct
  • Ruby Jones, Room 200  
  • CBrenner@wcupa.edu
  • 610-436-3511

Police Reporting

Those who want to press criminal charges can contact the WCU Department of Public Safety, or contact the police in the area where the incident took place. Criminal charges can be filed against any respondent, including those not affiliated with WCU. Criminal charges of sexual misconduct are entirely separate from violations of the Student Code of Conduct, which only applies to WCU students.  

  • Department of Public Safety 
  • 690 South Church Street 
  • 610-436-3311 

Anyone who has experienced sexual misconduct may choose to pursue both criminal prosecution and University disciplinary processes. 

Anonymous Reporting

The University strongly encourages those who want to file a report on behalf of themselves or someone else to identify themselves by name, but we understand that those reporting may not feel comfortable doing so.   Anonymous reports will be accepted by anyone with knowledge of a sexual misconduct violation. 

Anonymous reports can be filed in a couple of ways: 

Submit a Sexual Misconduct Incident Report Form online.

Call the Anonymous Crime Tip Line operated by the Office of Campus Security at 610-436-3100.

Informal and anonymous reports are used to collect information on instances of sexual misconduct. The information is useful for assessing the danger the incident represents to the community at large.

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