The following are characteristics of a helpful incident report:
- Include the basics: Date, time, location, etc. Any information (including names of individuals or organizations) of those who are present and their role (witness, respondent, etc.) is helpful.
- Be specific and impartial in your language: For example, instead of saying that someone was "rude" or "aggressive," it's more effective to describe the behaviors, such as "George raised their voice to a level that led me to back up. George followed me, moving within six inches of my body."
- Avoid overstating what occurred or expressing certainty when you do not have it: For example, if you are reporting the number of people in a location, rather than saying, "There were like 50 people there," it's better to state, "I counted at least 30 different people."
- Screenshots, photos, email or chat threads, and videos are helpful, especially when they include context: For example, if providing a video, it's helpful to add, "I [insert name] am recording this video on February 29, 2020 at 1234 Z Street, NW."
Please note that students named in the report have the right to view the report. For this reason, keeping focused on the events that occurred and the facts of the case is helpful.
For reports concerning Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating or Domestic Violence, Stalking, or Pregnant/Parenting Student Support concerns, please report such information to our colleagues in GW's Title IX Office.
For issues relating to student health, wellness, or support concerns, please refer the matter to the Care Team.
For safety or emergency concerns on campus, please contact the GW Emergency Services line by calling (202) 994-6111.