Can I file a report and remain anonymous / confidential?
Anonymous Reporting
An anonymous report is one that is submitted without disclosing the name of the reporter, the details of the behavior, and/or the name(s) of the person(s) involved. It may be filed on behalf of oneself or another person.
An anonymous report can be submitted through The Office of Institutional Equity Incident Reporting Tool and the Duke Police Silent Witness Program. Because of the anonymous nature of the report, person-specific follow-up cannot be guaranteed.
You can also submit a report through Duke Speak Up Reporting. The Speak Up phone line and online reporting form both offer an option to remain anonymous. Complaints submitted through Speak Up that are related to discrimination or harassment are forwarded to the Office for Institutional Equity.
Confidential Resources
Confidential resources can provide counseling, information and support in a confidential setting. Confidential resources will not share information about a report without the individual’s express written permission unless there is a continuing threat of harm to the complainant or to others or there is a legal obligation to reveal such information (eg, suspected abuse or neglect of a minor). Confidential reporters can also help an individual make a report to the University. However, if an individual discloses alleged misconduct to a Duke employee who is a “responsible employee” (eg, faculty, employees with teaching or supervisory authority, and postdocs or graduate students with teaching or supervisory authority, among others), the responsible employee is required to consult with the Office for Institutional Equity about an appropriate response.
Depending on who you feel comfortable talking to, there are a number of confidential resources available to you. Click on the buttons on this page to learn more and connect with each of these resources.
Confidential Reporting Options
Office of the Ombuds
Examples of Services Provided by the Ombuds
- Facilitates informal resolution processes
- Helps you determine how to handle a challenging situation
- Discusses how to approach a fellow community member who has made an offensive or insensitive comment
- Assists when you are uncertain what Duke policies or procedures apply to your situation
- Assists when you don’t know what individual or university department is appropriate to go to for an answer to a specific question or to obtain a particular service
- Helps when you feel as if you have been unfairly treated by anyone on campus
- Engages in “shuttle diplomacy” to help solve a problem between you and another person
- Helps you evaluate and select among a variety of options to address a concern with another person or department
Services Not Offered by the Ombuds
- Adjudicates or participates in formal university grievance processes
- Determines guilt of any party in a dispute
- Gets involved in any formal litigation or testifies in court, unless compelled to do so by law, subpoena, court order, or other formal legal requirement
- Provides legal advice
- Assigns sanctions to individuals
- Replaces the function of any official university office, department, or process
- Keeps records of students, employees, or faculty and/or conversations
For more information, visit ombuds.duke.edu.
To schedule a meeting, email ombuds@duke.edu. To better protect confidentiality, please do not send a detailed message - just indicate, “I’d like to meet with the Ombuds.”
Personal Assistance Service (PAS) is the Duke employee assistance program. The staff of licensed professionals offers assessment, short-term counseling, and referrals to help resolve a range of personal, work, and family problems. PAS services are available free of charge to Duke staff and their immediate family members.
For assistance or to schedule an appointment, please call 919-416-1727 between 8 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are contacting PAS outside of general office hours and are in need of immediate assistance, you can reach the PAS after-hours counselor for in the moment support or to request immediate response for a Critical Incident by calling 919-416-1727 and selecting Option #3.
Go to PAS website
- Clergy acting in their professional role at Duke can offer confidential venues for discussion with postdocs about their concerns. Duke Chapel acts as a moderator for the various faith groups at Duke. The Chapel convenes, supports, and advocates for all of the officially recognized Religious Life groups on campus that serve Duke community members, including Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Jewish, Latter-Day Saints, Muslim, Orthodox, and Protestant organizations and groups. Postdocs are welcome to reach out to Duke religious life group leaders.
Go to Duke Religious Life Groups website
The Durham Crisis Response Center provides comprehensive shelter and support services for those who need help after experiencing domestic, sexual, and family violence or human trafficking.
Go to Durham Crisis Response Center website
This guide was adapted from material created by Duke PhD Kirsten Overdahl for the Graduate School. If you have questions about this guide, please email Molly Starback, Director of Duke Postdoctoral Services, at molly.starback@duke.edu