If you’ve encountered a situation that involves discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct, there are several reporting options available, if you decide to do so.
We encourage all victims first to seek support: talk to a friend, family member, or staff whom you know and trust. Staff from Voices@SMU are able to advise on possible reporting options.
Note that it is equally valid if you decide not to do anything at the moment, confide in a friend, or seek counselling either on or off-campus.
Your personal well-being is of utmost importance, and there are options for you. Even in the most difficult situations, it is imperative to obtain relevant information and consider options rationally based on available resources, before you decide what to do.
Disclosing and making reports
Cases of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct, can take many forms. If you are a victim of such incidents, you have options to:
- Disclose the incident to a staff member you know and trust, or staff from Voices@SMU
- Make a formal report to the University
- Make an official police report
- Seek external advice and counselling
Voices@SMU is SMU’s designated first contact for disclosures of incidences involving harassment. The Unit can help you in the reporting process.
A. Disclosure to staff for support
If you choose to disclose to a staff member, they may guide you to Voices@SMU, after seeking your agreement. Voices@SMU’s staff will then advise and counsel you on possible options.
Disclosing to staff for support is not the same as making a formal report to the University. The latter initiates investigation procedures within SMU’s Student Disciplinary Code.
B. Reporting to the University
Following advice and counselling from Voices@SMU, you may decide to report to University authorities.
You may report to the University by filling up the Incident Report Form.
Voices@SMU staff will guide you through the reporting process, which includes providing details for an official report or disciplinary complaint, submitting it, and thereby initiating investigations.
The University will consider if there was a breach of SMU’s Student Disciplinary Code. The outcome of an investigation to the report will determine if any further action will be taken, if so, the appropriate disciplinary process to follow.
The University’s disciplinary process is separate from criminal law matters, and our misconduct offences are distinct from criminal offences.
C. Reporting to Police
After seeking advice, you may choose to file an official police report. The police has trained officers, experienced in helping survivors of different forms of harassment. A police report entails investigations and possible prosecution of the perpetrator under the laws of Singapore.
You can make a police report by:
- Directly contacting the police (call 999)
- Seeking on-campus assistance by approaching Voices@SMU
- Seeking off-campus assistance via PAVE (call +65 6555 0390), if the harassment/assault case involves family members or partners
- Seeking off-campus assistance via AWARE Sexual Assault Care Centre (call +65 6779 0282), if the harassment/assault case is sexual in nature
A reporting party who has made a police report can also choose to report to the University to initiate University disciplinary action, as long as this does not interfere with law enforcement proceedings.
D. Seeking external advice and counselling
If you do not wish to inform any member from the University, you can contact:
- PAVE (+65 6555 0390) , if the harassment/assault case involves family members or partners.
- AWARE’s Sexual Assault Care Centre (+65 6779 0282), if the harassment/assault case is sexual in nature.
- Trained centre staff will advise you on options based on your personal preferences.
