Resources for Faculty & Staff

As a faculty or staff member, you may be a safe and trusted adult in the lives of students at Wake Forest University, who may intentionally or unintentionally share experiences of interpersonal violence with you. For survivors, having support is essential.  If a student discloses that they have experienced interpersonal violence (such as dating/relationship violence, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or stalking) it is important to check if the student currently feels safe, provide non-judgmental support, and provide referrals to confidential resources that are available.

Responding to Disclosures of IPV

If a student discloses a concern related to interpersonal violence, remember: STOP, DROP, & ROLL! Click each bullet below to learn more.

Stop

…for safety.  Ensure that the student is safe in the moment.  If there are imminent concerns for safety, call University Police at 336.758.5911.  If the student needs immediate medical care contact Deacon Health at 336.758.5218.  Inform the student of your mandated reporting duties so the student has autonomy over whether or not they want to share information that may have to be reported.

Drop

…assumptions and judgment.  Provide validation to the student and believe what they are telling you.  Don’t question behaviors or choices shared during the disclosure.  Acknowledge that reaching out is hard and you are here to support the student.

Roll

…to resources.  Help the student know what resources are available to them and how to access them.  When in doubt – Start with Safe and call us at 336.758.5285.

Know Your Mandated Reporting Duties

Determine if you are considered a mandatory reporter through Wake Forest and learn more about mandatory reporting policies by visiting the Title IX website.

Know Your Confidential Campus Resources

Review our list of confidential vs. non-confidential resources and reporting options by visiting our Campus Resources page.

Seek Consultation If You Have Questions

Receiving disclosures of interpersonal violence can be overwhelming at times.  If you have questions about next steps to take, call the Safe Office for a phone, Zoom, or in person consultation at 336.758.5285.

Follow Trauma-Informed Practices in the Classroom

Trauma-informed practices in the classroom help to foster increased psychological safety, which in turn improves academic performance. The Safe Office recommends the following: 

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Include Language Advocating For Healthy Sexual Conduct In Your Syllabus

Below are two options for text you can include in your syllabus to provide students information on support and resources related to interpersonal violence. Feel free to directly copy/paste:

Don’t Forget To Care For Yourself

Unfortunately, faculty and staff members may also have personal experiences with interpersonal violence that can be triggered upon learning about a student’s experience. The Safe Office encourages faculty and staff to be compassionate to themselves, engage in healthy self-care, and seek professional support for yourself if needed.  Students shouldn’t have to be alone on their journey towards healing, and neither should you.