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Reporting an Incident
Reporting an Incident
Reporting an Incident
Birmingham-Southern College is committed to providing a safe and comfortable learning, living, and working environment for all students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors; free from sexual assault or harassment, exploitation, dating/domestic violence, stalking; as well as discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression. BSC will not tolerate such behavior.
If you are aware of any behaviors by a student, faculty, or staff member which may violate the College’s Sexual Misconduct (Title IX) Policy, including the actions noted above, you may confidentially report them through our Sexual Misconduct Report Form. (Go to report type and select Sexual Misconduct Form). The form permits anonymous reporting, but the College encourages you to login through the link near the top of the form to permit the most effective follow up. You will find further guidance on the report form.
You may also report any incident or situation directly, as well as seek confidential support, through various departments and officials at BSC and in Birmingham. Please see the relevant resources listed in the table at the bottom of this page.
Seven Steps to Follow after an Incident Occurs
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Step 1: Seek Safety and Support
Seek Safety - find a friend or place on campus where you feel safe. If you can't get there quickly, seek out help from a BSC faculty or staff member who can help get you to safety. The following resources are available to help you seek safety.
- Contact Campus Police at 205.226.4700.
- Once you are safe, the Crisis Center of Birmingham is available 24/7/365 at 205.323.7273. Rape Response staff are specially trained to handle sexual assault cases and the needs of the caller are assessed and appropriate referrals are made.
- Call BSC Counseling at 205.226.4717 and let them know you would like to speak with someone about a confidential matter. BSC Counseling is a confidential place and they are not required to report anything when you speak with them. If it is after hours, Campus Police or your Resident Advisor (who are mandated reporters) can help connect you with a Counselor. You do not need to tell them specific information about the assault, but that you need to speak with a Counselor about a confidential matter.
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Step 2: Get Medical Attention ASAP
It is important that you are safe and get medical attention if necessary. The Crisis Center's SANE Nurse provides individualized care in a private facility away from a busy emergency room. By utilizing the SANE program, the amount of time spent for examination and treatment can be reduced significantly. You can contact the Rape Response Hotline at 205.323.7273 or click here for more information. If you are assaulted and are going to be seen by a SANE nurse, avoid bathing, showering, changing clothes, or urinating if possible to help preserve any evidence. If you need a ride, Campus Police can help you get to the Crisis Center.
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Step 3: Privacy vs. Confidentiality. Decide what's right for you at that time.
Privacy and confidentiality are different and it is important you understand why these words matter.
- BSC Counselors, Health Services, and BSC's Chaplain are confidential sources. This means they will not share what you tell them with anyone else. If you choose to disclose an incident of sexual harassment or assault, dating violence, or gender discrimination with them, they will not inform the Title IX Coordinator and the matter will not be investigated unless you take other action.
- Privacy means other faculty, staff, or trained students (like a Resident Assistant) are encouraged to inform the Title IX Coordinator of a Title IX violation. While not required to, we want to ensure you receive all possible means of support. In whatever they report, they will respect your information and only share what is necessary with individuals that need to know to support you.
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Step 4: Consider Reporting the Incident with Birmingham-Southern
Report the incident to the Title IX Coordinator or any trusted faculty, staff, or mandatory reporter (like your RA) at BSC. You can make the report by phone, email, or in person. A list of BSC Campus Resources that you can report to is available below. If a formal or informal process moves forward, you will be communicated with every step of the way. An overview of the process can be found here. -
Step 5: Decide Whether to Make a Police Report
We encourage you to consider making a report with local authorities. We can assist and support you in making that report. We can provide transport, escort, or information to make a police report and further legal steps. A decision to or not to file a report with local authorities is up to you as a survivor and will not prevent BSC from conducting its own investigation. -
Step 6: Seek Academic or Other Support
We want you to feel safe and comfortable where you learn, study, and live, as a member of our community. Supportive measures such as changes in coursework, housing, work study assignments, or other areas of your BSC experience can be put into place to assist you. -
Step 7: Don't Do This Alone
No one should ever have to experience sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, or gender discrimination. You are a part of the BSC family and we are all here to support you. Remember to:
- Be good to yourself. Sexual assault has immediate and long term effects, and you are not to blame for what has happened.
- Attend counseling or support sessions with BSC Counseling or the Crisis Center. Both are free services for BSC students.
- Talk to people you trust. Let friends or family know if you are struggling and need help.
If you want to report gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, or retaliation for reporting any of these offenses, you may use the online report form or contact one of the resources:
BSC Campus Resources
| Name | Title | Phone Number | Office Location | |
| David Eberhardt |
Vice President for Student Development Title IX Coordinator |
[email protected] | (205) 226-4722 | Norton 230 |
| Dana Bekurs |
Associate Dean of Students |
[email protected] | (205) 226-4725 | Norton 226 |
| Jeff Harris |
Chief of Campus Police |
[email protected] | (205) 226-4702 | Student Services 270 |
| *Alison Johnson |
Counseling Services |
[email protected] | (205) 226-4717 | Norton 252 |
| *Yvette Spencer |
Director of Health Services |
[email protected] | (205) 226-4717 | Norton 252 |
| *Rev. Julie Holly |
Chaplain and Director of Religious Life |
[email protected] | (205) 226-4761 | Norton 120 |
* Indicates a Confidential Individual not required to report to the Title IX Coordinator
Community Resources
| Name | Address | Website | Phone Number |
| Rape Response 24-Hour Assistance |
(205) 323- 7273 800-656-HOPE |
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| The Crisis Center | 3600 8th Ave. South, Suite 501 | Crisis Center |
(205) 323-7777 |
| YWCA of Central Alabama | 309 23rd St. North | YWCA |
(205) 322-9922 24-Hour Crisis Line |
| One Place Alabama Family Justice Center |
1135 14th Ave. South | One Place Alabama |
(205) 453-7261 |
| Magic City Acceptance Center |
2500 4th Ave South |
Magic City Acceptance Center |
(205) 407-5799 |