Reporting Options

Cedar Crest College strongly encourages prompt reporting of sexual offenses to the police but recognizes that people who experience sexual misconduct have the right to decide whether to file a criminal report with the police, a complaint with the College, an anonymous report, or not report at all.

Here are a few things to know about filing a report:

• Anyone can file a report whether they are a complainant, witness or concerned third party.
• Complainants have the option to file both a criminal report with the police and a report with the College.
• A complainant has the right to request a victim advocate to go with them when filing a report with the police or with the College. Contact the Crime Victims’ Council of the Lehigh Valley and request a victim advocate by calling (610-437-6610).
• The intentional filing of a false report will not be tolerated. It is a violation of the Student Handbook to make an intentionally false report of any policy violation, and it may also violate state criminal laws and civil defamation laws.

Amnesty & Reporting

The College recognizes that students who have been drinking and/or using drugs at the time sexual misconduct occurs may be hesitant to report such incidents due to dear of potential consequences for their own conduct. The College strongly encourages students to report incidents of sexual misconduct. A witness to or individual who experiences sexual misconduct, acting in good faith, who discloses any incident or sexual misconduct to college officials or law enforcement will not be sanctioned under the College’s Student Handbook for violations of alcohol and/or drug use policies occurring at or near the time of the incident(s) of sexual misconduct.

To file a police report

Those who want to pursue criminal charges against a respondent should contact Campus Police by calling 610-437-4471 or contact the police in the area where the incident took place. Criminal charges may be filed against any individual alleged to have committed the conduct, including non-Cedar Crest College members. Criminal charges involving sexual misconduct are entirely separate from violations of the Student Handbook, which only applies to Cedar Crest students. Filing a formal report with the police is necessary when a complainant would like to initiate a criminal investigation by the police. Anyone who has experienced sexual misconduct may choose to pursue both criminal prosecution and College conduct processes. If the incident occurred off campus, Campus Police will assist the complainant in filing the complaint in the appropriate jurisdiction.

To file a complaint for Title IX violation/Student Code of Conduct

Sexual misconduct is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. A Title IX investigation is initiated by submitting a formal complaint and is separate from a criminal investigation conducted by the police. Complainants of any form of sex discrimination, sexual misconduct, or gender-based harassment are encouraged to report the incident to the Title IX Coordinator/designee to review all options for resolution.
Amy Porter, Assistant Dean of Students/Title IX Coordinator
titleix@cedarcrest.edu
610-606-4628

To file an anonymous report

The College strongly encourages those who want to file a report on behalf of themselves or someone else to identify themselves by name, but anonymous reports will be accepted from anyone with knowledge of a sexual misconduct violation.

Submit a Title IX Complaint online.

If you cannot complete the form online, please contact Amy Porter, Assistant Dean of Students/Title IX Coordinator, titleix@cedarcrest.edu