Office of Victims Assistance

Confidentiality

Students reporting incidents of sexual assault are often concerned for their privacy and have questions about confidentiality. The OVA Coordinator and the OVA Counselors have different levels of confidentiality from one another.

 

Office of Victim Assistance Coordinator – Limited Confidentiality

The Office of Victim Assistance Coordinator balances the wishes of the person making the report with the overall safety of the Winthrop campus. This means the Office of Victim Assistance Coordinator will not disseminate information shared without the consent of the person except on a need-to-know basis or abuse to a vulnerable population (child, elderly person or a person with a disability).

Need-to-know basis conditions

• If the current student accused has a history of violence or multiple complaints
• Other factors that suggest a likelihood that the person accused will commit future acts of violence.

 

Office of Victim Assistance Counselors – Privileged Confidentiality

Office of Victim Assistance Counselors cannot disclose information without the reporter's consent to any other person, except under very limited circumstances (e.g., imminent threat of danger to self or others).

 

Important Note about Confidentiality

All university employees except for Mental Health Counselors are mandated reporters who are required to share all reports of sexual misconduct through our reporting system. These reports are routed to our Victim Service Coordinator who provides OPTIONAL resources to the student.