Offer Support

Responding with compassion, validation, and support when an individual discloses they may have been a victim of physical, emotional, sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct, is an important step toward healing. Sometimes the most valuable advice comes from someone the individual already trusts. Whether you are a roommate, parent, faculty, or staff member you should strive to respond to an individual’s disclosure with the sensitivity and respect they deserve.

EOU offers options to support students, faculty, or staff members who are affected by an incident. Victims do not have to file a formal report or press criminal charges to receive assistance. They can receive services such as counseling and emotional support; academic, housing, or work accommodations; and learn more about reporting and investigations. The information on our Campus Advocate page can help you make direct contact for resources that best fit individual situations.

 

 


Need to share and get the story to the right people? File anonymously and our professionals can address the situation.

Looking for information for immediate assistance? Visit our Get Help page!


If you or anyone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or Eastern Oregon University (EOU) Campus Security at 541-962-3911. 

Ensure Safety

Make sure the reporting person is safe. Help the person get to a safe place, if needed. If you are concerned for their immediate safety, call 911 or Campus Security at 541.962.3911.

Listen

It takes incredible strength and courage for someone to reveal they are a victim. Listen actively and without judgement. Avoid asking questions or digging for details. It’s best to allow them to control what information they share.

Believe

The single most important thing you can do to support a reporting person is to tell them you believe them. Many individuals often worry that they will not be believed or that they will be judged. Your reaction can influence whether or not they choose to share information with others, including the police or mental and physical health counseling services.

Provide Information

Learn about resources available to victims, including medical care, evidence collection, reporting options, and counseling. The more you know, the better you can understand and support the reporting person.

Let Them Make Their Own Decisions

It is important to provide information but allow the reporting person to make their own choices. Offer to accompany the person to seek the services that they choose. Support the decisions the person makes, even if you don’t agree with them.

Remind Them You Care

The reporting person may worry that they will be thought of or treated differently by other people. Let the person know that it is not the case and that you are there to help them through this. The kind of support the person gets may determine how quickly they will heal.

Don’t Guarantee Confidentiality

All EOU employees, including student employees, are considered responsible employees and must report incidents of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct that may violate Title IX. If you are required to report the incident, explain your reporting responsibilities to the person who wants to disclose the information to you. If they want to talk through details but are not ready to fully report, refer them to the Privileged Campus Advocate.

Take Care of Yourself

Providing support to a reporting person in the aftermath of an incident can be incredibly difficult. In addition to supporting the person, it is very important to take care of yourself. It may be helpful to reach out and talk to someone about how you are feeling.

Emotional Support and Advocacy

There are plenty of trustworthy people at EOU who want to support you and can point you in the right direction toward resources. They can be mentors, faculty and/or staff. However, it is important for you to remember that they cannot guarantee confidentiality. Only the confidential resources listed below can make that guarantee at EOU.

Faculty, Staff and Student Resources

Students, if you would like to discuss an incident confidentially, you can contact any of the confidential resources listed below. Confidential resources will not disclose information about the incident, and seeking advice from a confidential counselor does not constitute a report to the university. Keep in mind that if you disclose to a university employee (Responsible Employee) who is not designated as a confidential resource, they are obligated to pass information they learn about the incident along to the university’s Title IX Coordinator.

Employee and Student Resources

  • Privileged Campus Advocate | 541.962.3381
  • Title IX Coordinator | 541.962.3476
  • Deputy Title IX Coordinator (Human Resources) | 541.962.3516
  • Deputy Title IX Coordinator (Athletics) | 541.962.3687
  • Campus Security Services | 541.962.3911
  • Campus Advocate or Volunteer – Check out our page to connect with one!

Additional Student Resources

  • Student Health and Counseling Center (students only) | 541.962.3524
  • Your RA or Area Coordinator (24/7)

Off-Campus Resources

  • Shelter from the Storm | (24/7) 541.963.9261
  • Union County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) | (24/7) 911
  • Union County District Attorney | 541.963.1007
  • La Grande Police Department | (24/7) 911
  • Grande Ronde Hospital | (24/7) 541.963.8421 (for physical injury)
  • RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest Nation Network), 24-hr. Hotline: 800.656.HOPE

Websites Providing Information and Resources

Statement on retaliation

EOU prohibits retaliation against individuals who engage in reporting a complaint of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating or domestic violence, and/or stalking. Retaliatory behavior is regarded as additional misconduct and may lead to increased sanctions.

Department of Labor Privacy and Security Statement