Q&A
Process for providing victim services through CUNY's reporting portal
2:31:20
·
4 min
The discussion focuses on the process of providing victim services through CUNY's reporting portal, including how anonymous reports are handled and what information is provided to those who report incidents.
- When a complaint is filed through the portal, the campus team reaches out to the student to provide assistance and support, regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed.
- For anonymous reports, CUNY officials attempt to provide information about available resources and support services.
- There's some confusion and inconsistency in the responses about how exactly anonymous reporters are provided with information about victim services.
- The discussion highlights the need for a more standardized and robust approach to providing victim support information through the reporting portal.
Felix Matos Rodriguez
2:31:20
Yes.
2:31:20
Because when they go to the CDO, depending on the case, they will be able to, if there's a situation, for example, in some of the campuses, they have issue no contact between students while the investigation is is happening, very similar to things that are done, for example, in in potential cases of sexual abuse.
2:31:40
So all those things are done as a result of that engagement, when you file the complaint with the CDO.
Eric Dinowitz
2:31:46
Well, if when I file the complaint through the portal.
2:31:49
Right?
2:31:49
Because that should and be the first step.
2:31:51
It should be clear.
2:31:52
They're they're doing through the portal.
Kalman Yeger
2:31:53
But then what
Eric Dinowitz
2:31:54
But I just, you know, because if I'm reporting something, regardless of whether it's substantiated, regardless of whether the CDO thinks it needs an investigation, a student had an experience.
2:32:05
And I guess I just wanna know through the portal, are they provided with the detail with the with the resources.
Felix Matos Rodriguez
2:32:10
Sometimes the portal says anonymous.
2:32:12
Right.
2:32:13
Right?
2:32:13
So, once in the portal, the team at the campus reaches out to that student, right, independent of whether there's a complaint filed or not, right, depending on what they're talking about, they will be provided assistance and support.
Eric Dinowitz
2:32:29
Even if it's anonymous, is information provided?
2:32:32
Here are the services available for you.
Felix Matos Rodriguez
2:32:36
Yes.
2:32:36
I I guess they will contact back the person to that email that was anonymous and provide yes.
Eric Dinowitz
2:32:42
Vice Chancellor says yes.
Derek Davis
2:32:44
I if I may, chair
Eric Dinowitz
2:32:45
Just make sure mics are on.
Derek Davis
2:32:46
Very good.
2:32:46
Okay.
2:32:46
The the vice president of
Eric Dinowitz
2:32:48
Well, I just wanna be clear.
2:32:48
Nothing's of course.
2:32:49
That's why we're asking questions.
2:32:50
But, please.
Derek Davis
2:32:51
Fair enough, chair when an incident occurs on campus, regardless if it's reported anonymously or by a student, our vice presidents for student affairs reach out to their students immediately.
2:33:03
And they try to provide opportunities for them to connect in quiet places for them to talk about the issues and get support.
2:33:11
If it's an anonymous, obviously, there's no respondent or or complainant to talk to.
2:33:16
However, our our vice president for student affairs creates safe spaces for students to talk about an issue that has impacted their activities while they're attending one of our campuses.
2:33:25
It's not ignored, if it's a specific complaint.
2:33:29
And that's happened and we, we were I would caution us from talking about specific incidences, but students are reached out to whether it's Title 9, title 7, or title, 6 and offered opportunities for their support.
2:33:41
That's our responsibility as a fiduciary, as an institution.
Eric Dinowitz
2:33:44
Right.
2:33:44
But I think we've established that just because it's a responsibility doesn't mean it's effectively being done, and that's, again, why the report exists.
2:33:52
It's a report I think none of us wish had to exist, but it does because there are gaps in a number of areas.
2:34:00
And I and I'm I'm just a little confused.
2:34:02
So you you're talking about if there's an incident, the entire campus is notified, or an individual may have individual average from a chief diversity officer.
2:34:14
But I'm thinking I go to a Google form, and I answer anonymously.
2:34:17
Google form says you filled out your survey, and I can say, for more information, click here.
2:34:22
I can have that be the response.
2:34:24
I guess I'm asking So if if a student goes in the portal, are they immediately provided with with locations and resources of victim advocate services even if they applied, file an honesty?
Felix Matos Rodriguez
2:34:36
I I am sure that they the the CDO reaches out and says, if you have this issue, I know that you're doing an anonymously, but here's some things, here's some offices you can go to, and try to encourage the student to, to engage.
Eric Dinowitz
2:34:48
Well, if it's anonymous, how how do they reach out to you?
Felix Matos Rodriguez
2:34:50
Well, may they if you don't provide, an information for us to contact you back, right, the question is moot.
2:34:57
But you might be anonymous, but you might have sent an email, or or some contact, but you want your name to remain anonymous.
2:35:04
Right?
2:35:04
So in that sense, you can reach out, to that address and say, you have this issue.
2:35:09
Just in case, here's some things, here's some people on campus you can come talk to.
Eric Dinowitz
2:35:13
I'll I'll I'll I'll shorten it that regardless of whether someone shares their name or not, as a response to filling up the form and clicking submit, the victim the victim services should be provided the contact information for them because a student may decide to be anonymous now.
2:35:30
They may need victim services, and they may decide at a later date to contact them.
2:35:33
It doesn't it doesn't sound like that's the the policy now, and it should be.
2:35:38
According to the report, students are are currently not all getting the support they need.
2:35:44
And the the report calls for a more robust victim advocate services.
2:35:49
So will CUNA establish the victim advocate program called for in the report?
