Kentucky State University will make every effort to safeguard the identities of individuals who seek help and/or report discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. While steps are taken to protect the privacy of victims, the University may need to investigate an incident and take action once an allegation is known, whether or not complainant chooses to pursue a complaint.

In cases where a report is made about an incident involving a complainant who is hesitant to come forward, the Title IX Coordinator or designee may seek additional information to ensure campus safety, even if information identifying either complainant or respondent is withheld in the initial report. The Coordinator will conduct an initial inquiry, looking for any sign of pattern, predation, violence, or threat. When such exists, institutional action may be required to secure campus safety. As such, no employee should ever promise absolute confidentiality except non-mandatory reporters (campus counselors, campus health professionals, and the Associate Dean of Students for Inter-Religious Life). Reports may be private, but not confidential.

The University will not pursue disciplinary action for improper use of alcohol or other drugs against a complainant of sexual misconduct or against another student who shares information as either a witness to or as a reporter of sexual misconduct as long as the report is made in good faith.

Deliberately false and/or malicious accusations of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, (as opposed to complaints, which, even if erroneous, are made in good faith) are just as serious an offense as discrimination, harassment, or retaliation and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

The University will not require a party to abide by a nondisclosure agreement, in writing or otherwise, that would prevent the disclosing of information related to the outcome of the proceeding.