First, you need to ensure your physical safety. Go to a safe place. If you are in danger or need emergency assistance, call 911. Once you are not in danger, you can either report the matter to MSU or contact a confidential advisor. Regardless of which option you choose—or if you choose neither—you are always free to report the matter to law enforcement.
Formal Reporting
To report the matter to MSU, contact the Title IX Coordinator at 662-325-5839 or at titleix@msstate.edu. The Coordinator or their designee will assist you in obtaining supportive measures and will provide you with information on how to proceed under university policies, including submitting a formal complaint.
Confidential Assistance
Alternatively, to seek confidential assistance, you have two options. First, you can contact the MSU Safeline at 662-325-3333. The Safeline is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. You will talk to a trained counselor, who will assist you in getting the help you need, including seeking advocacy, counseling, and/or medical care.
Second, you can contact MSU’s Office of Survivor Support Services at 662-325-3045. This office can provide direct, in-person support, including assistance in seeking counseling or medical care, navigating MSU’s investigation process, and/or filing a report with law enforcement.
Conversations with Safeline or the Office of Survivor Support Services are confidential and do not constitute a report to MSU. In either case, you are not required to submit a formal report to the university, although both can provide information on how to report if you choose to do so. Even after you have reported to MSU and/or to law enforcement, you are still free to make use of these confidential resources at any time.
Reporting to Law Enforcement
Sexual misconduct may involve violations of criminal laws. Members of the university community always retain the right to report sexual misconduct to the police, but are not required to do so. Reporting to law enforcement is separate and independent from reporting to the university. If requested, the university can assist you in contacting law enforcement to file a report.
In an emergency, the MSU and Starkville Police Departments can be reached by calling 911. Non-emergency contact information for these agencies is as follows:
| MSU Police Department | 662-325-2121 |
| Starkville Police Department | 662-323-4131 |
| Oktibbeha County Sherriff’s Office | 662-323-2421 |
| U.S. Dep't of Education Office of Civil Rights | 800-421-3481 |
Reporting to the MSU Police Department will constitute a report the university and will result in a response by the Title IX Coordinator. Reporting to other law enforcement agencies will not trigger these responses unless and until that agency or the complainant elects to share that information with the university.
Other Resources
There are other people at MSU who can provide confidential assistance that may be helpful to individuals who have experienced sexual assault or harassment. However, these are not considered primary responders. Reporting to them will not put the university on notice of sexual assault, and will not result in an investigation.
Consequently, the university strongly recommends that initial reports be submitted to the Title IX Coordinator or via the confidential resources listed above first. Once that has occurred, other resources include:
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Student Counseling Services (662-325-2091) allows students to meet confidentially with mental health counselors. Additionally, Counseling Services can provide a Sexual Assault Advocate, who can offer confidential assistance, including (1) explaining reporting options; (2) providing accompaniment and assistance in seeking medical care or police protection; and (3) seeking other assistance without disclosing the victim’s identity.
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The Longest Student Health Center (662-325-2431) provides medical care, including emergency care, to members of the university community. Health Center staff also are able to perform a Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK) in cases of rape or sexual assault. Information shared with Health Center staff, including information pertaining to sexual assault or other misconduct, is confidential.
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The Employee Assistance Program (1-866-219-1232) provides confidential assistance to employees covering a wide range of family, marital, and other issues. The EAP offers telephone counseling and can refer employees for in-person counseling sessions.
Anonymous Reporting
Anonymous complaints of discrimination, sexual misconduct, or other unethical or unlawful behavior can be made through the MSU Ethics Line, a comprehensive and confidential online reporting tool. An online report can be completed via the Ethics Line web page. To submit a report by telephone, dial 877-310-0424.
The MSU Ethics Line is not a 911 or emergency service. If your situation involves any immediate threat, call the MSU Police Department, not the Ethics Line.
Also, please note that the Ethics Line is not equivalent to reporting sexual misconduct to the Title IX coordinator. While the university will take appropriate steps to address threats to safety or other ongoing problems identified by anonymous disclosures, its ability to respond, impose discipline, and/or assist the complainant normally will be significantly limited. Members of the community are therefore strongly encouraged to consider the other options for reporting.