Retaliation

Retaliation; False Complaints

Retaliation against any person who in good faith makes a report or formal complaint of sex discrimination or sexual harassment, or participates or refuses to participate in any manner in a Title IX investigation or hearing, is prohibited under Title IX. The University, the respondent, and other individuals may not retaliate against an individual for bringing a complaint or for participating in an investigation.

Retaliation includes intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privileged secured by Title IX or this policy. Institutions are also prohibited from bringing charges against an individual for code of conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or sexual harassment, but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or complaint of sex discrimination or a report or formal complaint of sexual harassment, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX.

The University will take steps to prevent retaliation against a complainant by the respondent or his or her associates. Any instances of retaliation should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator immediately and may result in disciplinary sanctions independent of other sanctions already implemented under this policy. Reports of retaliation by the University will be investigated by the Title IX Coordinator (or an outside investigator if the report involves the Title IX Coordinator) through the grievance process for sex discrimination.

FNU will not tolerate intentional false reporting of incidents. It is a violation of this policy to make an intentionally false report of a policy violation. False reports made by students will be handled through the Student Grievance Procedure. Making a false report may also violate state criminal statutes and civil defamation laws.