Confidential Reporting

If you are unsure about what you want to do, we encourage you to talk with a confidential resource to understand your options and decide what would be best for you. These confidential resources may include the Center for Health and Wellness, the Chaplain’s Office, MiddSafe Advocates, and WomenSafe.

Confidential Resources

In general, communications between a person seeking care and a medical or mental health professional, religious advisor, or trained sexual assault advocate are confidential. The medical, mental health, and religious professionals and MiddSafe Advocates at Middlebury, and their off-campus counterparts, respect and protect confidential communications from students, faculty, and staff to the extent they are legally able to do so. These professionals may have to breach a confidence, however, when they perceive a serious risk of danger or threat to any person or property. They may also be required by law to report certain crimes (e.g., any allegation of sexual and/or physical abuse of a person under 18).

An individual who speaks to a confidential resource must understand that, if they want to maintain confidentiality, Middlebury will be unable to conduct an investigation into the particular incident or pursue disciplinary action against the respondent. However, confidential resources may assist the individual in receiving other forms of protection and support, such as victim advocacy; academic accommodations; disability, health, or mental health services; and changes to living, working, or transportation arrangements. An individual who initially requests confidentiality may later decide to file a complaint with Middlebury or report the incident to local law enforcement, and thus have the incident fully investigated. These confidential resources will help to direct the individual to the appropriate resources in the event that the individual wishes to file an internal complaint with Middlebury or report to the police.

Nonconfidential Resources

All faculty and staff members, including residential life staff and ombudspersons, who are not medical or counseling professionals, clergy, or MiddSafe Advocates, are not permitted to honor requests for confidentiality. Nonconfidential faculty or staff who learn of an incident of alleged sexual misconduct, domestic or dating violence or misconduct, stalking, or related retaliation involving a student are required to report that information to an HRO, or the Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator, all of whom are responsible for ensuring that individuals who may have experienced this prohibited conduct receive information about their rights, resources, and support options.

Requests for Confidentiality

If someone reports to a nonconfidential resource but wishes to maintain confidentiality, Middlebury will evaluate that request in accordance with its policies.

On-Campus resources

Center for Health & Wellness

go/parton

802-443-5135



Health & Wellness Counseling Service

go/parton

802-443-3407

MiddSafe Confidential Advocates

go/middsafe

802-377-0239

MiddSafe Online Advocate

go/onlineadvocate

In addition to MiddSafe’s 24 hour hotline, you can access the MiddSafe Online Advocate, which is a tool for survivors and peers in need of support and information related to sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking.

Scott Center

go/scottcenter

802-443-5626

Off-Campus resources

Porter Hospital

802-388-4701

WomenSafe

800-388-4205

802-388-4205

Counseling Service of Addison County (CSAC)

802-388-7641

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)

800-656-HOPE [for men as well as women]

RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, accessible 24/7 by phone and online (online.rainn.org). We also work closely with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers to offer confidential support services to survivors regardless of where they are in their recovery.



National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-SAFE (7233)

Their highly trained advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or informtion, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.

Stalking Resource Center

If you need immediate assistance, the Victim Connect Helpline provides information and referrals for victims of all crime and can be reached at 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846).

Legal Services/Referrals

Vermont Legal Aid

800-889-2047

Vermont Bar Association

800-639-7036