Information for Respondents
A "Respondent" is someone who is alleged to have been involved in an incident of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct under the University’s Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct or the Interim Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment. Respondents investigated under these policies may have been accused of alleged prohibited conduct including, but not limited to:
- Sexual assault
- Dating or domestic violence
- Sexual Harassment
- Stalking
- Sexual exploitation
- Discrimination based on a protected characteristic
- Harassment based on a protected characteristic
- Retaliation
If you have been accused of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, you have a number of options and resources available to you. You can request a meeting with a Case Manager in the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance to discuss the process, ask questions, or get assistance with supportive measures by emailing OCR@northwestern.edu.
Students can reach out to Counseling and Psychological Services for confidential counseling services.
Employees can access the for confidential support and for more information on what is offered and how to access services.
Resource Guide for Respondents
Respondent Participation
The University invites Respondents to participate fully in all aspects of the complaint resolution process; however, neither Complainants nor Respondents are required to participate in any resolution process.
Throughout any resolution process the Respondent may have an advisor present for any meetings, interviews, or hearings. If a Respondent elects not to participate in any part of the process, the University may proceed without the Respondent’s participation. The University will not draw any adverse inference from a decision by any party or witness not to participate. Respondents will be held accountable for any outcomes issued, even if they decline to participate.
Review the process of a formal investigation or an alternative resolution to understand what your role might entail and what may be expected of you.
Below is a list of your rights during a formal resolution or formal investigation process:
- You may have an advisor of your choice accompany you to any meeting or proceeding, including interviews with investigators, Title IX hearings, or sanction hearings. If you are an employee that is a member of a union, that advisor may be your union representative.
- You may provide documentary evidence to be reviewed during the investigation.
- You may provide the names of witnesses to be interviewed in the course of the investigation, though the investigator retains the discretion to determine which witnesses are relevant.
- Your identifying information will be kept private and only disclosed to those with a need-to-know. Note: other parties in the investigation are considered individuals with a need to know.
- You have the right to review the evidence upon which a decision is being made prior to the investigator’s report being finalized.
- You will be provided with written notice of the outcome of any proceedings.
- You will be provided with instructions and the opportunity to appeal the results of an investigation or disciplinary proceeding.
Before, during, and after the initiation of an investigation, you have the right to receive supportive measures. Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge. Supportive measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the University’s education programs or activities without unreasonably burdening the other partying, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties or the University’s educational environment. To learn more about supportive measures, you may contact an OCR Case Manager at OCR@northwestern.edu.
Acceptance of Responsibility
Under the Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct, prior to the conclusion of an investigation, the Respondent may elect to take responsibility for the prohibited conduct by contacting the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance (OCR) in writing.
OCR may gather additional information relating to the matter and then will issue a brief outcome determination to the parties summarizing the allegations and stating the Respondent has accepted responsibility, and will refer the matter to the appropriate office for sanctioning.
Following the determination of sanctions, parties may appeal the sanctions imposed but not the finding(s) of responsibility as accepted by Respondent. In the event a Respondent decides to accept responsibility for some but not all of the allegations, OCR will determine whether to sever the matter, sending the allegations for which the Respondent has accepted responsibility to the appropriate office for sanctioning and continuing with the formal resolution process for the remaining allegations. Alternatively, OCR may determine it will proceed with the formal resolution process for all allegations.