Formal Complaints Versus Reports of Sexual Harassment
A formal complaint is a document filed by a complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging sexual harassment against a respondent and requesting that recipient investigate the allegation of sexual harassment. Only individuals who are students, employees, and applicants many file a formal complaint. The formal complaint must contain the complainant's signature (written or electronic). Filing a formal complaint triggers the Title IX Coordinator's duty to initiate the grievance process.
Platt College has an obligation to respond after receiving any report of sexual harassment. A report is defined as a report of sexual discrimination (sexual harassment included) made by any person, at any time, and by any means (i.e. in person, by phone, mail, or email) that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person's verbal or written report. Reports are not limited to campus community members (i.e. students, employees) and may come from others, such as an on-campus visitor.
Once a report has been received, the Title IX Coordinator will:
- contact the complainant if that person is identified
- offer the complainant supportive measures
- explain the process of filing a formal complaint
- explain that supportive measures can be available with or without a formal complaint
- consider the complainant's wishes with regard to supportive measures
- contact the respondent, who must also be offered supportive measures, and
- if supportive measures are not provided to the complainant, the Title IX Coordinator must document why s/he did not provide the complainant with supportive measures and why not providing such measures is not deliberately indifferent.