REPORTING AND ASSISTANCE
The University's highest concern is for the emotional and physical well being of persons affected by a bias motivated incident or hate crime. The person affected shall have access to all University services that can help them maintain emotional and psychological well being and provide for their safety. Services include, but are not limited to, assistance in changing academic and living arrangements if these changes are reasonably available. ODDEP or the University Reporting Team will be the first official point of contact; however, ODDEP will facilitate victim access to all needed services. Other departments, if contacted first, will make a referral to ODDEP.
Georgia State University encourages all members of the campus community who believe they are victims of a bias motivated incident to immediately report the incident to ODDEP. Reporting a bias motivated incident or hate crime may prevent others from being affected.
Any member of the university community can file a third party report with ODDEP detailing a potential bias motivated incident or hate crime. It is important to note; however, that the University cannot initiate student judicial action or a criminal complaint against the alleged offender based on a third party report. The report is encouraged, nonetheless, as it can provide useful information for protecting the community-at-large and connecting similar reports while protecting the victim's anonymity.
No victim of a bias motivated incident shall be penalized or retaliated against in any way for their participation in the university's reporting process.
HOW TO HELP A FRIEND
Individuals who are contacted by a person affected by a bias motivated incident should encourage that person to:
- Contact University Police if criminal or after hours
- Contact ODDEP
- Contact University Reporting Team
- Please submit a Bias Incident Reporting Form Online
If the victim wishes to speak only to you:
- Ascertain whether the victim needs immediate medical assistance. Ask the victim directly if he/she is all right physically. If the victim needs medical attention, refer him/her to the nearest Emergency Room.
- Find out the victim's most critical concerns and respond in a non-judgmental way. Recommend appropriate resources for the victim and feel free to consult with ODDEP.
- Remember, the person affected may wish to do nothing further, other than have this conversation.
- Report criminal incidents to University Police (names of victims are not required) so the University can comply with legal reporting requirements.