Reporting Concerns
All Bellevue College employees have reporting obligations based on federal law, state law, and/or college policy. Employees are obligated to report all forms of sex- and gender-based discrimination including sexual harassment. Submitting a report does not automatically initiate an investigation. It does provide an opportunity for the parties involved to access supportive measures and learn about their options for resolution processes.
Where to Report Concerns
Bellevue College has a Report Concerns website, with full information on where to report different types of concerns.
Anyone who has experienced, witnessed, or has a concern about possible relationship violence, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, sexual assault, or stalking, can report online. A report does not automatically initiate an investigation.
*Employees are obligated to report.*
Anyone who has experienced sexual misconduct, sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, or another crime has the right to report to the police. A report to the police goes to the law enforcement agency where the incident occurred. This is a criminal process and separate from the college’s process.
The college is committed to addressing complaints timely and effectively, in accordance with grievance procedures, polices, and law. However, you also have the right to file complaints external to Bellevue College if you believe that the college’s procedures have not adequately address your concerns. The agencies identified below may be able to assist you further:
Office for Civil Rights
Website: http://www.ed.gov/ocr
Washington State Human Rights Commission
Olympia Headquarters
Phone: 800-233-3247
Website: https://www.hum.wa.gov
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Seattle Field Office
Phone: 800-669-4000
TTY: 800-669-6820
ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122
Website: https://www.eeoc.gov/field-office/seattle/charge
Under state law (RCW 26.44.030, 28B.10) and BC policy 1470, all administrative, academic, and athletic department employees, including student employees, are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to law enforcement or to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. All other higher education employees are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the vice president of human resources within 48 hours who will assist with external agency reporting.
What you can expect after reporting a concern
When you submit a report online, you have the choice to request a copy of the report to be sent to you. If you ask for a copy, the first thing that will happen is you will receive a copy of what you’ve submitted. If you do not ask for a copy, you will receive an automated reply saying that your report has been received. After that, several different things can happen depending on your role.
If you are reporting about someone other than yourself:
If no further information is needed from you, you may not hear anything at all about what happens after you submit a concern. Understandably, this can be frustrating at times. Please know that the Care team and Title IX team respond to each report as determined appropriate by the team.
If you feel that you personally need consultation regarding the concern, please ask for that when you fill out the form, keeping in mind that team responses may be delayed due to triage and staffing limitations.
If the team needs more information or if you have requested consultation, you will hear from them! This may take longer than you might expect. If additional incidents occur, please file additional reports.
Outcomes are usually covered under privacy laws, and it is unlikely that we will be able to share outcomes with you, unless you are directly affected by them, for example, in the case of a no-contact directive that involves you personally. We know this can be frustrating.
If you are reporting about your own experience, please see What to Expect from the Process:
Last Updated October 14, 2024