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Student Disclosure Procedures
If a student shares information about a sexual assault, or any type of unwanted incident with you, here is what you should do:
- AFFIRM the student’s decision to share information with you.
- In addition to affirming, you must also interrupt and inform the student of your role and reporting obligations.
- INTERRUPT before details of the incident are revealed.
- INFORM the student of your role and obligations to report.
Interrupt and Inform Sample Script
Here is an example of what you can say to interrupt and inform a student of your reporting obligations:
“Thank you for coming to me with this, but I need to stop you for a moment. It sounds like you might have experienced something I may be required to report. I care about you and want you to get the resources you need, but there are certain things that some employees, like myself, have to report, which would include giving your name and some of the details you share with me.
I want you to make an informed choice about what you disclose to me today. If you’re going to tell me something I might have to report, you may instead want to talk to someone who can help protect your confidentiality. I am more than happy to connect you with a confidential resource if you’re not ready to report this officially.
If you’d like to go ahead and share information with me, you could be contacted by the school to determine if an investigation needs to occur. I am happy to report this for you, or I can also assist you with reporting this to the institution or to the police.”
Student Disclosure Options
Below are the types of confidential and non-confidential disclosure options available to students.
| Confidential | Non-Confidential |
| Professional, licensed counselors and pastoral counselors | Employees and campus security authority |
| Required to maintain near complete confidentiality | Required to report all details of an incident |
Supporting Survivors
Following the steps below will help you best support those who have experienced violence or abuse.
- LISTEN without judgment.
- SUPPORT the person by responding to their disclosure appropriately.
- “I’m sorry you’re going through a difficult time.”
- “What would be helpful to you right now?”
- REFER
- If you are REQUIRED TO REPORT, encourage them to seek counseling, medical assistance, or to file a police report AFTER explaining your role and obligations.
- If you are NOT REQUIRED TO REPORT, encourage them to file a report with the school or police, and to seek counseling or medical assistance.
- REPORT
- If you are REQUIRED TO REPORT, notify the Title IX Coordinator with details of the alleged incident.
- If you are NOT REQUIRED TO REPORT, review options for reporting and discuss the difference between confidential and non-confidential disclosures.
Reporting:
Acts of discrimination & harassment, including sex/gender based offenses (sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking) can be reported using the Online Reporting Form or by contacting the Title IX Coordinator – Amanda Bastiani at [email protected], [email protected], (518) 244-4809. Reports may also be made in person by scheduling an appointment with the Title IX Coordinator or by mail: Attention: Amanda Bastiani, Russell Sage College, 65 1st Street, Troy, NY 12180.
