All Yale faculty and staff must report any incident of sexual misconduct involving students to the Title IX Office. These requirements also apply to postdocs, teaching fellows, or teaching assistants, and any student worker (graduate, professional, and undergraduate), with respect to the students they are currently teaching, advising, or mentoring in the course of their job duties. 

Sexual Misconduct incorporates a range of behaviors including sexual assault, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, stalking, voyeurism, and any other conduct of a sexual nature that is nonconsensual or has the purpose or effect of threatening, intimidating, or coercing a person. 

Supervisors have additional reporting requirements when they learn about a concern in their supervisory capacity. 

• Sexual Misconduct: Must be reported to the Title IX Office if it involves students, trainees, staff, or faculty. 
• Discrimination, Harassment, and related Retaliation: Must be reported to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility if it involves students, trainees, staff, or faculty. 

For purposes of these reporting requirements, a supervisor is an individual who either directly oversees the work of others or holds a leadership role, such as director, department head, or unit head, with responsibility for guiding staff, faculty, trainees, programs, or operations within a department, school, or office. Students and bargaining unit members are not considered supervisors. 

Below are some examples of supervisors and non-supervisors for the purposes of these reporting requirements: 

•  Example 1:  Postdoctoral Researcher in a Lab (Supervisor) 

Dr. Alex Martinez, a postdoctoral researcher in the Chemistry Lab, supervises graduate students and lab technicians, directing experiments and ensuring safety protocols are followed. 

•  Example 2:  Student Worker (Not a Supervisor) 

Jane Kim, a student serving for several years as a student worker in an academic department, supports the department in various ways and advises newer student workers about how to perform their job duties. As a student, she is not considered a supervisor, even if she oversees aspects of other students’ work. 

•   Example 3:  Principal Investigator in a Lab (Supervisor) 

Dr. Emily Rivera, Principal Investigator in the Neuroscience Lab, supervises a team of postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and lab technicians, leading research projects and securing funding. 

•  Example 4:  Staff Member in Hospitality (Not a Supervisor) 

David Smith, a staff member in the University’s Hospitality Services, manages event setups and catering logistics. While he plays a crucial role in service delivery, he does not oversee other employees or hold a supervisory position. Note that while this staff member would not have reporting requirements as a supervisor, he would have a reporting requirement with regard to sexual misconduct concerns involving students. 

These reporting requirements are informed by federal and state law and exist so that individuals affected by sexual misconduct, discrimination, or harassment receive timely and accurate information about resources and options available to them. Reporting to OIEA or the Title IX Office also helps the University track and respond to trends and areas of concern. 

Yes, certain Yale employees are designated as confidential or exempt and are not subject to these reporting requirements. These employees include: 

• SHARE Center staff acting in an advocacy or clinical role 
• Yale Health clinicians, such as Mental Health and Counseling and YC3 College Care Clinicians and embedded counselors, when acting in a clinical capacity 
• University Chaplains when acting in their pastoral care capacity 

To make a report, fill out the Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, and Harassment Reporting Form (for all types of concerns) or contact the Title IX Office (for sexual misconduct concerns) or the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (for discrimination, harassment, or related retaliation concerns) directly. 

If you are required to report and someone shares a concern or experience with you, inform the individual early in the conversation that you have a responsibility to reach out to the Title IX Office or OIEA. You might say something like: 
 
“I appreciate you telling me and want to support you. I do have a responsibility to reach out to the Title IX Office [or OIEA]. That means that they will follow up with you by email to share information about support options and resources available to you. Speaking with them may be helpful but it is completely your choice whether you do or not.” 
 
Additionally, offer to connect them with resources like the SHARE Center or University Chaplains which can provide further confidential support. Listen with care and without judgment, letting them guide the conversation. Refrain from asking for additional details beyond what they share with you and avoid labeling their experience or making assumptions about their feelings. Respect the individual’s privacy by sharing information only on a need-to-know basis with appropriate University resources. 
 
Report promptly by completing the Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, and Harassment Reporting Form, or by contacting the appropriate office directly. Include names and other details in your report if known to you, but do not investigate further. 

All Yale faculty and staff are mandated under the law and Yale policy to report suspected child abuse or neglect. A link to a training video created by the Department of Children and Families, and additional information on the duties of mandated reporters can be found in Yale’s Policy on Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect.  
 
Some individuals, known as Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) under the federal Clery Act, also have a responsibility to report certain crimes including sexual assault to the Yale Police Department without including identifying details. A CSA is defined by law as a member of the campus police/public safety and security, any individual who has responsibility for campus security, or an individual who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities.