Civil Rights

Support ​Resources

​The University works with those impacted by prohibited conduct to connect them with the support and resources they wish to utilize. This includes both on-campus and off-campus resources for survivors, friends, and anyone else who is impacted by discrimination, harassment, sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct.


For additional information on policies administered by the Office for Civil Rights, please click here. 


Talk to a Confidential Resource

Members of the UF community may seek support from the Confidential Resources listed below. Confidential Resources are not required to report to the Office for Civil Rights.* 

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On-Campus Resources

Counseling Services provides professional, confidential counseling, advocacy, guidance, and assistance in understanding options, rights, and outcomes with regard to both the University and criminal processes. ​Counseling Services can be reached by calling 419-434​​-4526. 

Cosiano Health Center​ provides medical assistance, including sexual assault response assistance, to students. Cosiano Health Center can be reached by calling 419-434-4550​.

Campus Ministries​ provides confidential consultation with the clergy. Campus Ministries can be reached by calling 419-434-5624​.​


Off-Campus Resources

Blanchard Valley Health System has two local hospitals located in the City of Findlay and the village of Bluffton. Blanchard Valley's Forensic​ Nurse Service​s​ offers sexual assault forensic exams (SAFE) through the Emergency Department 24 hours a day.​ For more information, and an educational broch​ure, click the Forensic Nurse Services link above. ​

Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services 24-Hour Hotline 419-422-4766 can assist with emergency shelter, rape crisis, victim advocacy and obtaining a Civil Protection Order. 


Note that there are limits to a Confidential Resource’s ability to maintain confidentiality.  Confidential Resources are required to report child abuse or neglect to Children’s Services or local law enforcement.  Medical professionals may also have certain legally mandated reporting responsibilities in certain serious cases, although depending on state law, the reporting requirement may only require that the professional share the date, general time, and general location of the incident.  Mental health professionals are required to disclose information where there is an imminent threat of harm to self or others.  Finally, pursuant to the Clery Act, anonymous statistical information for certain offenses that have been reported as occurring at campus locations must be shared with Campus Safety.  The information does not include the names or any other identifying information about the persons involved in such incidents.


In some cases, an individual may not need services through a Confidential Resource immediately following the prohibited conduct.  However, as time passes, it may be helpful to seek such assistance.  Counselors found on-campus at Counseling Services, advocates at Open Arms and other service providers listed in UF Non-Discrimination Policy or the UF Title IX Policy can provide assistance and/or treatment in dealing with physical and emotional concerns as they may arise.​


​Ways to Access Support


I want to talk to someone about an incident of sexual misconduct
If you have experienced or think you have experienced sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual misconduct, help is available. What happened is not your fault. Where to go from here can seem unclear, but you have options. How you choose to handle what happened to you or receive help is your decision. There is no wrong way to take care of yourself.

Talking to someone could be a good start in taking that first step forward. The agencies referenced can provide the resources, advocacy, and support to help you through this, no matter how long that might take. Remember​, you are not alone.

Types of Support


If you choose to speak to someone about sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual misconduct there are two types of resources available: confidential and other.

What Does This Mean?


Confidential resources, like counseling or victim advocacy services, are not required to report the incident to the police or the University. There are legal protections for the discussions you have with confidential resources. Other resources, such as professors, academic advisors, resident advisors, coaches, and supervisors, are legally obligated to report incidents of prohibited conduct to the University. Neither type of resource is better than the other. There is no right or wrong way to handle this.

If you do choose to speak to a UF-employee, what does that mean?


Professors, academic advisors, resident advisors, coaches, supervisors, and all of the non-confidential sources listed below must report prohibited conduct to the Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator. The Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator will then contact you offering a discussion of your options and the availability of support services and accommodations. It is your choice whether to discuss the incident with the Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator.

Whether or not you discuss the incident with the Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator, you still have the choice of whether or not to report to the police for criminal proceedings or to participate in the University's investigation. (For more information on the reporting process, see I Want to Report an Incident.)
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I want to talk to someone about harassment and/or discrimination
If you have experienced or think you have experienced harassment or discrimination, help is available. What happened is not your fault. Where to go from here can seem unclear, but you have options. How you choose to handle what happened to you or receive help is your decision. There is no wrong way to take care of yourself.

Talking to someone could be a good start in taking that first step forward. The agencies referenced can provide the resources, advocacy, and support to help you through this, no matter how long that might take. Remember​, you are not alone.

Types of Support


If you choose to speak to someone about harassment and/or discrimination, there are two types of resources available: confidential and other.

What Does This Mean?


Confidential resources, like counseling or victim advocacy services, are not required to report the incident to the police or the University. There are legal protections for the discussions you have with confidential resources. Other resources, such as professors, academic advisors, resident advisors, coaches, and supervisors, are legally obligated to report incidents of prohibited conduct to the University. Neither type of resource is better than the other. There is no right or wrong way to handle this.
Whether or not you discuss the incident with the Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator, you still have the choice of whether or not to report to the police for criminal proceedings or to participate in the University's investigation. (For more information on the reporting process, see I Want to Report an Incident.)
​
I want to support someone that has experienced harassment and/or discrimination.
A strong support network can be very helpful to a person who has experienced harassment and discrimination. Supportive loved ones, family, friends, significant others, and allies can all play a role in helping a person to cope with the impact of the incident(s).

It is important to remember that people who have experienced harassment and discrimination, including incidents of bias, will react to the incident in a variety of different ways that you may not understand. Do not try to explain why the incident(s) might have happened or assign blame to the individual. It is most important to be non-judgmental, supportive, respectful, and listen to the person.

Supporting someone who has experienced bias and discrimination: A Guide for Family and Friends



When harassment or discrimination affects someone you care about, you may feel upset and confused. Your support at a time like this can be extremely helpful to an individual who has experienced harassment or discrimination.

Here are some guidelines to help you through this time:

Believe.


Believe their experience without questioning or downplaying their understanding of the situation.

Respect.


Respect the feeling of the individual. They may be greatly impacted by the incident(s) they have experienced.

Accept.


Your friend may have strong feelings and they have the right to their emotions. They may feel numb, sad, angry, in denial, terrified, depressed, agitated, or withdrawn. Be supportive by accepting all of their feelings and provide an atmosphere of acceptance.

Listen.


Let them know you want to listen. Try to understand what they are going through.
  • Let them talk and do not interrupt.
  • Find time to focus on them. Ask what they need from you.
  • You may feel nervous about stalls and silences. It's okay to be quiet.
  • Try repeating back the things they've said as a way to continue the talking.
  • Avoid rationalizing the harassment and discrimination the individual experienced.


Take the Events Seriously.


Pay attention, help validate the seriousness of their feelings, and recognize their need to work through these feelings.

Stay.


Stay with them as long as they want you to. Many individuals feel frightened and vulnerable about being alone. This will pass with time.

Let Them Make Their Own Decisions.


Do not pressure them into making decisions or doing things they are not ready to do. Remember that if they decide to make a report that that decision will involve many considerations and concerns about retaliation. It might also require lots of paperwork and documentation. It is best to emphatically state that you will help and support them no matter what they decide to do. Help them explore all the options, but respect their privacy and confidentiality.

The University encourages individuals to report incidents of harassment or discrimination. Reports may be made to the Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator or to the University’s Harassment Hotline (contact information below). In addition, the University encourages individuals who may have experienced potentially criminal behavior to report the incident(s) to local law enforcement. However, an individual may choose whether to make a report to the University, to law enforcement, both (at the same time or one after the other), or neither. If you are not required to report incidents of harassment or discrimination based on your role with the University, then it may be beneficial to support the survivor in determining whom to tell about the incidents.

Adapted from: University of Illinois Women's Resources Center

There are many resources, including counseling and advocacy services, that can help you process and feel empowered as an ally.

If you know someone who has been accused of bias and discrimination wondering how best to support that person, the following suggestions may be helpful:
  • Direct your friend to resources on campus with people who are available to talk with a student accused of harassment and discrimination and can help those students understand what may happen next. Helping your friend access these resources is a step you can take to provide support in what may be a confusing and emotional time for both of you.
  • Recommend that your friend seek counseling to deal with the emotions that they may be experiencing. Students can access counseling through Counseling Services on campus.
  • Educate yourself about harassment and discrimination. The Office for Civil Rights webpages can provide information to answer the questions you may have.
  • If you are able to do so, be available to listen in a non-judgmental manner. Your friend may not feel comfortable talking about their situation. You can let your friend know whether or not you are comfortable listening to them and how much you can support them.
Remember, helping your friend does not mean:
  • Approving of your friend's actions and/or choices. You can help your friend without making a judgment as to whether or not harassment or discrimination occurred. It is not your role to determine what happened. That is the responsibility of the campus investigation team and/or the legal system.
  • Engaging in harassing or threatening behaviors toward other people involved in the situation. Not only is violence or retaliation not the answer to helping your friend, but such actions may constitute violations of the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy and could undermine campus disciplinary proceedings or judicial proceedings.


When close friends or loved ones are involved in emotionally difficult situations, it often hard to separate one's self from those situations. Talking to someone about your experiences may help you to deal with this particular situation. If you are a student, the Office of Counseling Services is available to you. Remember that you cannot effectively support your friend without being mindful of your own health and well-being.
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I want to support someone that has experienced sexual misconduct
A strong support network can be very helpful to a person who has been affected by sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual misconduct. Supportive loved ones, family, friends, significant others, and allies can all play a role in helping this person to cope with the impacts of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual misconduct.

It is important to remember that people who have experienced sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual misconduct react to the incident in a variety of different ways. Additionally, you may not understand why they are reacting a certain way. It is most important to be non-judgmental, supportive, respectful, and listen to the person. Below is some information on helpful ways to support a survivor for anyone who might be in contact with a survivor of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual misconduct.

Supporting a Survivor: A Guide for Family and Friends



When sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual misconduct affects someone you care about, you may feel upset and confused. At a time when you may want to help most, you might be dealing with a crisis of your own. Your support at a time like this can be extremely helpful to an individual who has experienced prohibited conduct. Here are some guidelines to help you through this time:

Believe.


Believe their experience without questioning or blaming them. Whatever the circumstances, they are not to blame for their experience. It is very common for victims to blame themselves, so it is important that they know you support them.

Respect.


Respect the feeling of the individual. They may be greatly impacted by the trauma they have experienced. Help survivors deal with their fear by finding ways to increase their feeling of safety.

Accept.


Your friend may have strong feelings and they have the right to their emotions. They may feel numb, sad, angry, in denial, terrified, depressed, agitated, or withdrawn. Be supportive by accepting all of their feelings and provide an atmosphere of warmth and safety.

Listen.


Let them know you want to listen. Try to understand what they are going through.

  • Let them talk and do not interrupt.
  • Find time to focus on them. Ask what they need from you.
  • You may feel nervous about stalls and silences. It's okay to be quiet.
  • Try repeating back the things they've said as a way to continue the talking.
  • Reassure them that they are not to blame.
  • Avoid asking blaming questions such as, "Why did you go there?" or "Why didn't you scream?"


Take the Events Seriously.


Pay attention, help validate the seriousness of their feelings, and recognize their need to work through these feelings. Experiencing sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other form of sexual misconduct can be a shattering experience. Recovery is a process of acceptance and healing which takes time and requires support.

Stay.


Stay with them as long as they want you to. Many individuals feel frightened and vulnerable about being alone. This will pass with time.

Let Them Make Their Own Decisions.


Do not pressure them into making decisions or doing things they are not ready to do. Help them explore all the options, but respect their privacy and confidentiality. If you are not required to report incidents of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual misconduct based on your role with the University, then it may be beneficial to support the survivor in determining whom to tell about the prohibited conduct. However, faculty and staff who are made aware of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other form of sexual misconduct must immediately report the incident to the Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator.

Source: University of Illinois Women's Resources Center

There are many resources, including counseling and advocacy services, that can help you process and feel empowered as an ally. If you know someone who has been accused of sexual misconduct and are wondering how best to support that person, the following suggestions may be helpful:
  • Direct your friend to resources on campus with people who are available to talk with a student accused of sexual misconduct and can help those students understand what may happen next. Helping your friend access these resources is a step you can take to provide support in what may be a confusing and emotional time for both of you.
  • Recommend that your friend seek counseling to deal with the emotions that they may be experiencing. Students can access counseling through Counseling Services on campus.
  • Educate yourself about sexual misconduct. The Office for Civil Rights webpages can provide information to answer the questions you may have.
  • If you are able to do so, be available to listen in a non-judgmental manner. Your friend may not feel comfortable talking about their situation. You can let your friend know whether or not you are comfortable listening to them and how much you can support them.


Remember, helping your friend does not mean:
  • Approving of your friend's actions and/or choices. You can help your friend without making a judgment as to whether or not sexual misconduct occurred. It is not your role to determine what happened. That is the responsibility of the campus investigation team and/or the legal system.
  • Engaging in harassing or threatening behaviors toward other people involved in the situation. Not only is violence or retaliation not the answer to helping your friend, but such actions may constitute violations of the Sexual Misconduct Policy and could undermine campus disciplinary proceedings or judicial proceedings.


When close friends or loved ones are involved in emotionally difficult situations, it often hard to separate one's self from those situations. Talking to someone about your experiences may help you to deal with this particular situation. If you are a student, the Office of Counseling Services is available to you. Remember that you cannot effectively support your friend without being mindful of your own health and well-being.
​​

I Don't Know What to Do

If you have experienced harassment, discrimination, sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual misconduct or think you may have experienced it, help is available. It is not your fault, and there are resources on campus and in the community to provide support and help you. You also have options for reporting the incident. You are not alone, and we at Findlay care.

Immediate Medical Concerns
If you are concerned about safety or need medical attention, call 911 or go to a local medical facility:

Cosiano Health Center
120 W. Foulke Ave.
419-434-4550
Academic Year Open Hours:
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday-Friday

Blanchard Valley Health System
Blanchard Valley Hospital; 1900 South Main Street, Findlay, 419-423-4500
Bluffton Hospital; 139 Garau Street, Bluffton, Ohio, (419) 358-9010
24 hours/7 days a week
*Blanchard Valley's Forensic Nurse Services offers sexual assault forensic exams (SAFE) through the Emergency Department.

Emergency Medical Services and Transport
911
24 hours/7 days a week

If there are no safety risks or serious injuries, it may be helpful for you to go to a safe place and contact a friend or family member you trust to stay with you.
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Responses to Harassment and Discrimination
Harassment and discrimination of any kind can result in a host of reactions—some are immediate, some can be long term. The variety of reactions may depend on previous life experience, the context of the situation, the individuals involved, among many other factors. Some bias and discrimination might be tied to a singular, overt incident, while other forms can take place over long periods of time.

Individuals that face harassment and discrimination can experience fear, anger, self-blame, depression, and anxiety that can be exhibited emotionally, physically, mentally, and socially. All experiences and reactions are valid and no one is alone in experiencing any variety of these or other responses.
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Responses to Harassment and Discrimination
Harassment and discrimination of any kind can result in a host of reactions—some are immediate, some can be long term. The variety of reactions may depend on previous life experience, the context of the situation, the individuals involved, among many other factors. Some bias and discrimination might be tied to a singular, overt incident, while other forms can take place over long periods of time.

Individuals that face harassment and discrimination can experience fear, anger, self-blame, depression, and anxiety that can be exhibited emotionally, physically, mentally, and socially. All experiences and reactions are valid and no one is alone in experiencing any variety of these or other responses.
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Steps to Consider
You might want to consider the following options as you decide how to proceed.

Preserving Evidence

It is important to preserve physical evidence even if you do not yet know whether you want to report the harassment, discrimination, or assault or pursue filing a complaint. Evidence is best collected as soon as possible. If you were sexually assaulted, consider waiting to shower or bathe to avoid washing away important physical evidence. You can also preserve evidence by saving text messages, instant messages, and other communications that may be useful to investigators.

Seeking Medical Attention As Soon As Possible

If you go to an emergency department, the trained professionals can collect necessary physical evidence. Even if you do not opt for forensic evidence collection, health care professionals can treat injuries and take steps to address concerns of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted diseases/infections.

Reporting Harassment and/or Discrimination

You have a choice whether to make a report, as well as to whom you wish to report. Refer to I Want to Report an Incident for more information.

Reporting the Sexual Misconduct

You have a choice whether to make a report, as well as to whom you wish to report. Refer to I Want to Report an Incident for more information.

Seeking Other Assistance and Support

You may want to seek confidential support from the organizations listed in the sidebar. For more information, see I Want to Talk to Someone or Resources for Students.
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Have You Been Accused of Prohibited Conduct?

If you have been accused of discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct and are unsure what to do or whom to talk with, the following information will be helpful.


Do NOT contact the complainant.


You may contact the Office for Civil Rights at 419-434-4739. The Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator can explain the pertinent University Policies, UF's reporting procedures and explain the student disciplinary process. For more information about the policies adminstered by the Office for Civil Rights, please review them here​. ​


You can receive counseling assistance and support on campus at the Counseling​ Center​, 419-434-4526. Criminal proceedings and University proceedings are separate processes and may have independent outcomes. ​


Resource Guide for Support and Reporting Prohibited Conduct

Confidential Resources
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Other Resources (on-campus) ​​
Off -Campus Resources

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