Survivors, Victims and Complainants

You are not alone. You don’t have to do this alone. When one member of our community suffers, we are all affected.

LSU is committed to fostering a campus environment where you feel respected and empowered to ask for help, take care of yourself, and learn about your options. If you have experienced harassment, assault, or any other intrusive or violent act we can assist in finding the options that feel right for you. We are here to help you take the necessary steps that feel the most comfortable to you to protect yourself and heal as you move forward.

Sexual misconduct encompasses a vast range of behaviors, from harassing comments to criminal sexual assault. Additionally, emotional responses to these kinds of experiences vary from individual to individual. Therefore, we acknowledge that your needs will be specific to your situation and your preferences. The resources included here are designed for the provision of individualized support to meet your particular needs.

• Talk to Someone
• Resources for Survivors of Sexual MIsconduct (PDF)

Supportive Measures

As a survivor of sexual misconduct, you have the right to individualized accommodations to assist with management of your academic life and obligations. These are designed to restore and preserve equal access to your educational program/activity while protecting your safety and the safety of those around you. Supportive measures are determined on a case-by-case basis, so vary depending on the nature of the complaint, status of respondent, or other criteria.

Lighthouse Staff and/or the Title IX Case Manager work with students, faculty and staff to ensure that supportive measures are individually tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs.

You do not have to file a formal complaint with the University Title IX Coordinator or LSU Police in order to receive supportive measures.

Supportive measure may include, but are not limited to

• Mental or physical health services;
• Academic arrangements or adjustments;
• Modifications of work or class schedules;
• Mutual restrictions on contact between the parties;
• Changes in work, housing or academic locations;
• Leaves of absence; and/or
• Increased security and monitoring of certain areas of campus.

Supportive measures shall remain as confidential to the extent that such confidentiality would not impair the ability to provide the supportive measures. The Title IX Campus Coordinator shall bear responsibility for coordinating the effective implementation of supportive measures.

Filing a Formal Complaint

A Formal Complaint is an online document that alleges conduct that would be a violation of PM-73. Filing a Formal Complaint alleging sex- or gender-based harassment, including discrimination and sexual misconduct, against one or more Respondents serves as a request to the University to investigate the allegation. A Formal Complaint may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator at any time; there is no time limitation on doing so. A Formal Complaint must be submitted by the Complainant and include the following components:

• Facts alleging prohibited conduct under PM-73 including, time, date, location, and name of individuals involved
• A signature (authenticated at login or handwritten) that indicates the Complainant is the individual choosing to file a Formal Complaint
• Some allegation or evidence the conduct occurred at a location or event covered by PM-73
• A statement or confirmation that the Complainant is a student, employee, or other person seeking to participate in a program or activity of the University

Once a Formal Complaint is submitted, the Title IX Coordinator will assess whether all necessary components are present in the complaint, whether the allegation woul dbe a violation of Title IX , PM-73, and/or other applicable code of conduct, and under what jurisdiction the complaint falls. The TItle Coordinator will make the decision to either begin an investigation or dismiss the complaint.

To learn more the Formal Complaint process, contact the Office of Civil Rights & TItle IX at 225-578-900 or titleix@lsu.edu. 

 

Formal Resolution Process

If you choose to file a formal complaint and you enter the formal resolution process, there are specific steps that follow. See the flow chart below.

formal Resolution Process Flowchart

Choosing an Advisor

If you choose to file a formal complaint to initiate an investigation and subsequent resolution, it is highly recommended you obtain an advisor as early as possible to assist with navigating the process and to provide you with support and perspective. All parties going through the grievance process have a right to an advisor at any time during the grievance process. Parties are required to have an advisor during the hearing panel proceedings due the cross-examination process. The primary role of an advisor is to assist you in preparing for meetings and to attend meetings and hearings as needed. The Student Conduct Institute with The State University of New York has created a very helpful and thorough guide to assist with understanding all aspects of the advisor role. Access it below.

Advisor Guide

Request an Informal Resolution

Some incidents of sexual misconduct, subject to the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator, may be resolved through an informal resolution process, facilitated by the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX. Informal resolution is a process whereby the parties work with a professional to reach a resolution of the complaint without a formal hearing. This process is completely voluntary and requires the consent of both parties. A party may terminate the informal resolution process at any time before conclusion. Complaints classified as sexual assault, rape, statutory rape, incest or involving violence resulting in significant harm to others may not be appropriate for informal resolution.