RIGHTS AND OPTIONS FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
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Survivors of sexual misconduct have the right to:

  1. Notify appropriate law enforcement authorities.
  2. Receive assistance from school officials in reporting a crime to law enforcement authorities, if requested.
  3. Decline to notify such authorities and/or decline to report to The Chicago School.
  4. Request supportive measures, as outlined below.
  5. Request assistance from school officials in obtaining and enforcing an institutional​ no contact directive and, if such measures are reasonably available, an order of protection or no contact order in state court.
  6. A clear description of the school's resolution procedures, including the range of possible sanctions.
  7. Information regarding available resources for counseling, health care, mental health, or victim advocacy. Upon request, information regarding legal assistance, visa and immigration assistance, student financial aid, and other available services may be provided, where relevant​.
  8. Seek confidential advocacy and support from an external confidential resource.​



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REPORTING METHODS
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Chicago School Community Members may make a report to the Title IX Coordinator, local law enforcement, or an external confidential resource. The Chicago School encourages those impacted by ​sexual misconduct to talk to someone identified in one or more of these groups. 

While Chicago School community members are encouraged to use their own judgment in terms of whom they choose to discuss reports of sexual misconduct with, community members must understand that The Chicago School can only respond to incidents that it is aware of. A Complainant who at first requests confidentiality may later decide to file a complaint with The Chicago School or report the incident to local law enforcement, and thus have the incident fully investigated.

It is important to preserve evidence as it may be necessary in providing proof of criminal activity or in obtaining a protection order. Evidence is best collected as soon as possible or at least within 72 hours of the assault. Assistance with evidence preservation can be provided by medical and/or law enforcement personnel.

How to Make a Report to The Chicago School 

All complaints of violations of this Policy will be taken seriously and in good faith. The Title IX Coordinator will provide information and guidance regarding how to file a complaint with The Chicago School and/or local law enforcement, as well as information and assistance about what course of action may best support the individual(s) involved and how best to address the complaint.

Every reasonable effort will be made to maintain the privacy of those making a report to the extent possible. In all cases, The Chicago School will give consideration to the party bringing forward a report with respect to how the matter is pursued. The Chicago School may, when necessary to protect the community, initiate an investigation or take other responsive actions to a report, even when the person identifying a concern chooses not to participate in a resolution process and/or requests that the school not initiate an investigation.

Employees, students, guests, or visitors who believe that this Policy has been violated should promptly contact Title IX: 
Title IX Coordinator: 
Jennifer Stripe Portillo
(213) 615-7264
707 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017 

Deputy Title IX Coordinator 
Daniel Esquivel
(213) 283-4267
707 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017 

Email Contact Information 


There is no timeline for making a report of Prohibited Conduct. However, The Chicago School encourages the prompt reporting of a complaint as the ability of The Chicago School to pursue the complaint to conclusion may be hindered by the passage of time. 

Options for Confidential Reporting

Chicago School Community Members may speak with an external confidential resource.  

The YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is a community-based sexual assault crisis center that offers free, confidential services that are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. A counselor is available by calling 888.293.2080. A Chicago School Community Member should identify themselves as a member of the school community and ask for a confidential counselor. 

Phone: 888.293.2080

Students: Student Solutions: Student Solutions is a free, confidential, around-the-clock counseling service available to all Chicago School students.
Phone: 855.460.6668 
Web identifier: TCSPP

Employees: Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Chicago School employees may receive counseling services through the EAP, which is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 
Phone: 800.272.7255 
Web identifier: COM589

Reporting to Law Enforcement

Some Prohibited Conduct may constitute a violation of both the law and school policy. The Chicago School encourages students and employees to report alleged crimes promptly to local law enforcement agencies. All persons have the right to make a report to law enforcement, as well as the right to decline to make a report to law enforcement. The decision not to report to law enforcement shall not be considered as evidence that there was not a violation of The Chicago School policy. Local resources for community members located near a Chicago School campus can be found on the Title IX website.​


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SUPPORTIVE MEASURES

Supportive measures for both the Complainant and the Respondent may be put in place. Supportive measures may be provided even if a formal complaint is not filed and regardless of whether a report is made to law enforcement. If r​equested by a Complainant or Respondent and reasonably available, supportive measures may include changes to academic and/or work situations.

In addition, The Chicago School will provide assistance, if requested, with obtaining and enforcing campus no contact directives, obtaining assistance with living, dining, and transportation changes, and honoring an order of protection or no contact order entered by a state civil or criminal court. 

The Title IX Coordinator shall review all requested supportive measures, shall determine what is available and appropriate and shall notify the party requesting the supportive measures of the determination. Supportive measures  may be kept in place until the conclusion of the Title IX investigation, sanctioning, and appeal processes, where applicable.

The Chicago School will maintain the privacy of the supportive measures, provided that privacy does not impair The Chicago School's ability to provide the supportive measures. The Chicago School will act to ensure as minimal an academic impact on the parties as possible. The Chicago School will implement measures in a way that does not unreasonably burden any party.


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COMPLAINT RESOLUTION OPTIONS

The Chicago School's complaint resolution options are explained in detail in Sections XII through XV of the Title IX Policy. Sexual misconduct which does not fall under Title IX will be addressed under the Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation Policy (Student DHR Policy).

There are multiple ways to resolve a complaint or report of sex discrimination including: (1) Support-Based Resolution, (2) Agreement-Based Resolution and (3) Investigation and Decision-Making Resolution. A student Respondent with allegations pending for a violation of the Title IX Policy may have a hold placed on their ability to graduate and/or to receive an official transcript or diploma. The hold will remain on their account until the allegations have been resolved.


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CONTACT INFORMATION FOR TITLE IX
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Title IX Coordinator 

Jennifer Stripe Portillo
E-mail:  [email protected]
Phone: (213) 615-7264

Deputy Title IX Coordinator

Daniel Esquivel
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (213) 283-4267​​​


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