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Seton Hall University

Reporting Sexual Violence

Reporting Options

Seton Hall University is committed to maintaining a positive learning, working and living environment. When sexual harassment or sexual violence has occurred and the University is made aware, steps will be taken to end the harassment or violence, prevent its reoccurrence, and address its effects.

You may choose to talk to someone confidentially. Confidential means that the person with whom you talk cannot share the information you provide with anyone without your permission.

You may also choose to talk to someone privately. The Private Reporting Options are individuals who will respect your privacy and who assist you in obtaining resources and accommodations. They may be required by law or University policy to inform other University officials about the incident, including but not limited to the Title IX Coordinator.

Confidential Reporting On Campus:

Confidential Reporting Off Campus:

*To disclose confidentially the incident and obtain services from the state of New Jersey visit http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/women/domestic/ or by calling the NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault Hotline at 1(800) 601-7200.

Other assistance can also be obtained through:

*Note that these hotlines and sites are for crisis intervention, resources, and referrals, and are not reporting mechanisms. Reporting Individuals are encouraged to additionally contact a campus official so that the University can take appropriate action in these cases.

Making a Report or Complaint

Reporting to Law Enforcement

What law enforcement agency to report to can vary depending on the specifics of your case, but we can help you determine that and will assist you in reporting to law enforcement.

The number for South Orange Police Department is (973) 763-3000.

Many survivors find law enforcement to be a great resource. Others choose not to report to law enforcement. Seton Hall always encourages reporting, but we know that only you can determine if doing so is the right decision for you.

Restraining Order

A restraining order is a legal order of protection issued in the state of New Jersey. To obtain a restraining order, you must go to the law enforcement agency for where you live in NJ or for where the incident occurred. After taking your statement, the police will arrange for you to speak with a judge (usually by phone) who will issue a Temporary Restraining Order. You will then be given a court date for when the judge will determine if the Temporary Restraining Order will become Permanent. Again, we will assist you in getting to the police, the courthouse, or any other related places. You can find more details about restraining orders in NJ click here.

Making a Report or Complaint
Disciplinary Process or Investigation Process

Regardless of whether or not you report to law enforcement, you can report to the University for review of the matter through our processes.

To make a report against a student or for detail about procedures, contact:

Karen Van Norman
AVP & Dean of Students
Deputy Title IX Coordinator
(973) 761-9076

To make a report against an employee, faculty member, or vendor or for detail about procedures, contact:

Toni Hindsman, M.A.
Director of EEO Compliance, Title IX Coordinator and Acting Deputy Title IX Coordinator for the HIS Campus and Interim Deputy Title IX Coordinator for the Law School
(973) 275-2513 

You have the right to:

  • A prompt, fair, and impartial process from the initial investigation to the final result. This means a process that is completed within the timeframes laid out by our policy in a manner that is transparent, provides timely notice of meetings and equal access to information to both the complainant and the respondent, and conducted by officials without a conflict of interest or bias for either party that receive annual training on how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of victims and promotes accountability.
  • Have others present during the any institutional disciplinary proceeding, including the opportunity to be accompanied to any related meeting or proceeding by an adviser of your choice.
  • Notification, in writing, of:
    • The result of any institutional disciplinary proceeding from your report of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
    • The procedures to appeal the results.
    • Any change to the results.
    • When the results become final.

These same rights are afforded to the Respondent as well.

Student Disciplinary Process Overview

The person making the complaint or report is called the “complainant.” The person accused is called the “respondent.”

Investigation
The investigation is conducted by the Dean of Students/Deputy Title IX Coordinator and the Assistant Director for Public Safety (or designees). The investigators will interview the Complainant, the Respondent, and any witnesses with direct knowledge about the incident. The investigators will also collect any evidence that directly relates to the incident. The Complainant and Respondent will each have opportunity to review the summary report of his/her statement.

Referral for Charges
If the investigators determine that there is a sufficient basis to find that a violation of University policy may have occurred, the matter is referred for charges and a hearing. The notice of charges includes the full investigative report and is provided to the Complainant, the Respondent, and to the Student Conduct Review Board.

Hearing Process
Detailed information about the hearing process is available by clicking here. Accommodations may be made to support the parties involved such as remote access to the Review Board or use of a partitioned room. Both the Complainant and Respondent may ask questions of one another and of any witnesses through the Review Board, not directly to one another. Both parties may have an adviser of their choice at all meetings they attend related to the investigation and hearing, including the hearing itself.

Hearing Decision & Appeal
The Review Board makes a decision as to responsibility of the Respondent using the standard of preponderance of the evidence. Both parties receive the written decision of the Review Board simultaneously. Both parties have the same opportunity to submit a written response to or appeal of the Board’s decision. The written decision of the Appeal Authority is provided to both parties simultaneously. The decision of the Appeal Authority is final.

Timelines
The following timelines are estimates and the University may adjust them for individual matters as is necessary.

Investigation
Normally concluded within four to six weeks of the date a complaint is made to the Dean of Students Office.

Notice and Respondent Choice of Responsibility/Withdrawal
Once the Respondent is notified of the alleged violation(s), he/she will have 48 hours to choose to accept responsibility for the violation(s), to deny responsibility, or to permanently withdraw from the University.

Scheduling of Hearing
The Student Conduct Review Board hearing will normally be scheduled within 20 days of the notice of the hearing notice.

Notice of Review Board Decision
The written decision is sent to the Complainant and the Respondent within 10 days of the hearing.

Response to/Appeal of Decision
Both the Complainant and the Respondent have 5 days to submit a written response/appeal.

Appeal Decision
The Appeal Authority’s written decision is sent to the Complainant and Respondent within 20 days of receipt of the Response/Appeal.

Employee Complaint Review Process

The person making the complaint or report is called the “complainant.” The person accused is called the “respondent.”

For full detail of the review process »

Investigation
The investigation is conducted by the Director of EEO Compliance/Title IX Coordinator (Director) and an assigned co-investigator. The investigators will interview the Complainant, the Respondent, and any witnesses with direct knowledge about the incident. The investigators will also collect any evidence that directly relates to the incident. Both the Complainant and the Respondent may be accompanied to any meeting by an adviser of their choice, within the parameters detailed in the procedure (see above link).

Final Report
The investigators will prepare a final report stating their findings of fact. Based upon a standard of preponderance of the evidence, the investigators will determine if a violation of University policy has occurred. This will be included in the final report which is provided to appropriate University personnel, but it is not provided to the Complainant nor the Respondent.

Notice of Completion of Investigation
Both the Complainant and the Respondent will be notified of the investigation’s completion and findings.

Responsive Action
If is determined that a violation of University has occurred, the investigators will make recommendations as to responsive action. Final determination of responsive action is made by appropriate University personnel (i.e. supervisor, Human Resources). The Complainant is notified by the Director of the final determination.

Timelines
All matters are handled as promptly as possible. The exact timeline will vary depending upon the complexity of the matter, the number of individuals involved, etc.

Investigation and Final Report
Will normally be completed within 50 days of receipt of the complaint by the Director.

Notice of Completion of Investigation
Within 10 days of completion of the final report.

Responsive Action
Will vary depending upon the nature of the action and any related personnel considerations.