For Faculty & Staff

As a UNCW faculty or staff members, you may notice changes in a student's appearance or performance and students may perceive you as a source of support.  As such, students may disclose experiences of interpersonal violence to you.  The following trauma-informed guidelines may be helpful:

• Don't judge what happened or their decisions before or after the incident.
• Validate their feelings and let them know it was not their fault.
• Don't ask questions; allow them to share what they are comfortable sharing.
• Offer to walk them to CARE (second floor of DePaolo) or call CARE's crisis line to have someone come meet with them.
• Follow up with them over the next few days/weeks.
• Practice self-care. Reach out to CARE if you need someone to talk to.

What You Can Say:

• I'm sorry this happened to you.
• This wasn't your fault.
• You're reacting in an normal way to an abnormal situation.
• What do you need form me, right now?  How can I help?
• You are not alone with this.  There are support and resources available. 
• "I need to let the university know about this situation so that they can offer you support and connect you with people to explain your options. We also need to let the university know so that they can be sure the campus is doing everything possible to ensure safety."

Remember that the sooner you refer a student to CARE or other campus resources, the more effective and easier the referral process will be.

CARE advocates are additionally also able to work with any faculty or staff members who have experienced interpersonal violence or who care about someone that has experiences interpersonal violence. To contact an advocate, call 910.962.2273.

All University employees who receive notice of alleged sexual misconduct to a student, on or off-campus, must notify the Office of Title IX and Clery Compliance. Sexual misconduct includes attempted or completed sexual assault, stalking, dating or domestic violence, sexual harassment or other forms of gender-based discrimination.  In addition, all University resources are required by North Carolina law to report abuse or neglect upon a child or any disabled person.

• All UNCW staff and faculty (and Resident Assistants) receiving reports of sexual misconduct must complete the Sexual Misconduct Reporting Form within one business day.
• You may choose to seek assistance in understanding your reporting responsibilities by contacting CARE at 910.962.CARE or a CARE Advocate at 910.512.4821.
• Advocates are available to come to your location to explain the reporting requirement/process to your student with you. 
• Inform the student that they will receive emails from the CARE Office, offering support, and the Office of Title IX & Clery Compliance, offering information & resources. It is the student's decision whether or not to meet with staff from either office.  The Office of Title IX & Clery Compliance will contact the student further if an administrative investigation will be required by the university.

Find more information on staff and faculty reporting obligations.

The following offices and programs are resources for students in regards to sexual misconduct:

• UNCW CARE*                         910.962.CARE or 910.512.4821 (crisis after-hours)
• Student Health*                                                                             910.962.3280
• Counseling Center*                                                                       910.962.3746
• UNCW Police                                                                                  910.962.2222
• Office of the Dean of Students                                                    910.962.3119
• Coastal Horizons Rape Crisis Center (off-campus agency)     910.392.7460
• Domestic Violence Shelter & Services (off-campus agency)   910.343.0703

*UNCW CARE, the Abrons Student Health Center, and the Counseling Center are confidential resources, where students can discuss concerns about gender-based/sexual misconduct while maintaining the choice of whether or not to report to the university.