Yes. You do not have to provide details about the incident or participate in an Auburn University investigation to receive support services. We want to support those who are seeking help, and we will respect an individual’s decision to share, or not share, any additional information about the incident. However, failure to name the alleged offender and/or participate in an investigation may limit Auburn University’s ability to meaningfully investigate and respond to a report.
You have several possible options to prevent the alleged offender from contacting you. You can contact the university’s Title IX Coordinator to discuss your concerns and your options for obtaining a directive that the alleged offender has no contact with you.
You can also apply through the courts for an order of protection or restraining order. If the alleged offender violates a court order, punishments can include arrest and jail time. You may be eligible for these orders without filing a formal police report. To obtain an order of protection, you can ask your attorney to file for an order in civil court; request an order with your divorce; request an order during a criminal trial for abuse; go to the Lee County Circuit Clerk’s office and ask for the papers to seek an order of protection for yourself; and/or contact the Title IX Coordinator to ask for assistance in completing the forms.
If you obtain an order of protection from an Alabama court or in any other state, you should provide a copy of the order to the Title IX Coordinator. You may contact Safe Harbor, Student Counseling and Psychological Services, RAINN, the Title IX Coordinator, police, or the Auburn University Department of Public Safety and Security to develop a safety action plan, which may reduce the risk of harm while on or leaving campus.
You have options for academic accommodations, including a change in class schedule for you or for the alleged offender, deadline extensions or withdrawal from a class without penalty. To discuss these options, contact the university’s Title IX Coordinator, who will coordinate with appropriate university officials.
If the alleged offender is not affiliated with Auburn University, the university’s response to a report of sexual misconduct will focus primarily on providing support to the complainant. Depending on what you want, we can discuss options for pursuing actions against an alleged offender, such as barring the person from university property. If Auburn University becomes aware that an individual poses a threat to the campus community, the university may take specific action to protect the campus community.
Yes. The university assists individuals who have experienced sexual misconduct on or off campus, including while participating in an off-campus program. If the alleged offender was another member of the university community, that person is still subject to University Policies regardless of where the conduct occurred.
If the sexual misconduct occurred in another state, you can call 911 to contact the nearest law enforcement agency, or use www.RAINN.org or 800-656-HOPE to locate advocacy service. If you are studying abroad, you can call Safe Harbor at 334-844-7233 (24/7) or the Auburn Abroad Office at 334-524-4921. You can also call United Healthcare Global’s Emergency Assistance Services at 410-453-6330. Have your UHG card ready.
No. You have the right to choose if you want to press criminal charges. You have the right to choose not to participate in the university’s investigation or provide any additional information. If you choose not to provide information or participate in the university’s investigation, this may limit the university’s ability to fully respond to the incident. In most cases, it is unlikely that the investigation will continue. However, if the Title IX Coordinator determines that certain risk factors are present, a full investigation of the incident may be required, and Auburn University has an obligation to proceed without your cooperation in order to protect the safety of the campus community. Auburn University will inform you of this decision.
Last updated: 12/01/2023
