What does “confidential” mean at UW–Madison?

UW–Madison University Health Services defines confidential support as information that will not be disclosed to law enforcement, campus authorities, parents, or other people without the student’s explicit written permission, as allowable by law. See UHS survivor and victim advocacy services.

In practical terms, this generally means you can speak with a confidential provider without automatically:

• Making a police report.
• Submitting a report to UW–Madison.
• Starting a Title IX or student-conduct investigation.
• Notifying your professors, parents, roommates, or employer.
• Committing to any particular next step.

A confidential advocate may help you understand your options, but the advocate does not make the decision for you.

Confidential does not always mean anonymous

A provider may know your name and may create a service or medical record while still keeping the information confidential.

Confidentiality concerns who is permitted to receive the information. Anonymity means the provider does not know who you are.

RCC’s 24-hour helpline and text line allow you to begin without providing your name. Other services may request identifying information before scheduling an appointment or providing continuing care. RCC says its helpline advocates will listen, explain rights and options, respect the caller’s choices, and not require the caller to provide a name. See the RCC helpline information.

Confidential does not mean there are no exceptions

Confidentiality is strong, but it is not necessarily absolute.

UW–Madison’s confidential-resource information identifies possible exceptions involving:

• Suspected abuse of a child who is 17 or younger.
• Suspected elder abuse.
• An imminent threat of harm to the student or another person.

The exact legal obligations can depend on the provider, the student’s age, the information disclosed, and the circumstances. Before sharing details, you can ask the provider to explain the limits of confidentiality that apply to that service. See UW–Madison’s confidential-resources information.

A simple question is:

“Before I tell you what happened, are you a confidential resource, and is there anything you would be required to report?”

Which UW–Madison resources are confidential?

The following resources are identified by UW–Madison as confidential options.

UHS Survivor Services advocates

UHS Survivor Services provides free, confidential victim advocacy to UW–Madison students.

An advocate can help you:

• Understand confidential and non-confidential options.
• Identify immediate needs.
• Develop a safety plan.
• Learn about medical care.
• Understand university and legal procedures.
• Request academic, workplace, housing, transportation, or financial support.
• Prepare for a university meeting or police interview.
• Find culturally specific or identity-specific services.
• Attend certain medical, legal, campus, or court appointments with you.

Advocacy is not therapy. Advocates provide information, practical assistance, emotional support, and help navigating different systems. UHS has separate mental health providers who offer counseling and clinical treatment. See UHS survivor and victim advocacy services.

To contact UHS Survivor Services, call 608-265-5600, option 3, or review UHS survivor and victim advocacy services.

UHS mental health providers

UHS mental health support for survivors includes confidential individual counseling, support groups, and informal consultation opportunities.

Students may seek help with concerns such as:

• Anxiety or panic.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Trouble concentrating.
• Fear or loss of safety.
• Anger, guilt, numbness, or confusion.
• Changes in relationships or intimacy.
• Academic or work difficulties.
• Trauma responses.
• Deciding whether to tell someone else.

You do not need to be in crisis to request counseling. You also do not need to make a university or police report to receive mental health services.

For routine mental health scheduling, call 608-265-5600, option 2. For 24-hour crisis support, call the same number and select option 9.

UHS states that its survivor mental health services are free and confidential. See UHS survivor mental health services.

UHS medical providers

UHS medical care after an unwanted sexual encounter is confidential and available to students of all genders.

Medical care may include:

• Evaluation and treatment of injuries.
• Pregnancy testing.
• Emergency contraception.
• Testing or preventive treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
• Information about HIV post-exposure treatment.
• Drug testing when drug-facilitated assault is suspected.
• A physical examination.
• Medical-forensic evidence collection.
• Referrals for follow-up care.

Calling a nurse or receiving an examination does not require you to make a police report. UHS states that reporting to law enforcement and collecting evidence are the patient’s choices. A student who does not want evidence collected can still receive an examination and treatment. See UHS post-assault medical-care information.

During current clinic hours, students can call the UHS Sexual Assault Nurse line at 608-852-9533 or go to the seventh-floor Survivor Services Suite at 333 East Campus Mall. Review the current UHS medical-care information before traveling because hours and procedures can change.

RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center advocates

The RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center is an independent community organization that provides free, confidential services to survivors of sexual violence.

RCC services include:

• Crisis support.
• Campus advocacy.
• Emotional support.
• Safety planning.
• Medical advocacy.
• Legal advocacy.
• Assistance understanding Title IX procedures.
• Counseling and therapy.
• Support groups.
• Accompaniment to appointments and meetings.

RCC advocates support the student’s decisions rather than directing the student toward reporting or another particular outcome.

RCC services on the UW–Madison campus

RCC currently identifies UW–Madison advocate offices at:

and

Current UW campus advocates and appointment information are listed on the RCC School and Campus Services page.

UW–Madison’s official Student Support Information page instructs students to use Hazel to make an appointment with a UW RCC advocate. RCC also identifies Hazel as its secure online scheduling portal for campus advocates. See UW–Madison Student Support Information.

You can review RCC appointments through Hazel or contact RCC’s 24-hour helpline by calling or texting 608-251-7273.

Confidential forensic medical providers

A forensic nurse can provide medical care after an unwanted sexual encounter and discuss whether the patient wants evidence collected.

UW–Madison identifies the UnityPoint Health–Meriter Forensic Nurse Examiner Program as a confidential community resource. Meriter’s program is located in the emergency department at:

Call 608-417-5916 for current information.

A police report is not required to receive a forensic examination. See UW–Madison’s confidential-resources information.

DaneMAC also provides free post-assault medical care through specially trained forensic nurses. Current services and appointment availability can be reviewed through Hazel.

Confidential legal advice

Conversations with an attorney may be protected by attorney-client confidentiality or privilege when the requirements for that relationship are met.

A lawyer can explain:

• University reporting and investigation procedures.
• Restraining orders.
• Privacy concerns.
• Police interviews.
• Criminal proceedings.
• Civil legal options.
• Immigration-related concerns.
• Record-preservation questions.

Hazel connects users with participating legal-support providers, including LOTUS Legal Clinic. You can review current legal services through Hazel.

Before discussing details, ask the attorney or clinic:

“Is this consultation confidential, and does attorney-client privilege apply to this conversation?”

Which UW–Madison resources are not confidential?

A non-confidential resource may still protect your information from unnecessary disclosure. However, the person or office may have an obligation to report certain information within the University or to another authority.

This distinction matters:

• Confidential generally means the information is not shared without permission, subject to legal exceptions.
• Private generally means information is limited to people who have a reason to know, but it may still be reported or used in an institutional response.

Sexual Misconduct Resource and Response Program

The UW–Madison Sexual Misconduct Resource and Response Program—often called SMRRP—is not a confidential resource.

SMRRP receives reports involving sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating or domestic violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and retaliation. It coordinates university support and response options under UW policy.

Students can contact SMRRP for:

• Information about university procedures.
• Supportive measures.
• Academic, housing, workplace, transportation, or safety assistance.
• Information about filing a university complaint.
• Information about investigations and student rights.

SMRRP says students can ask general questions about the program and available resources without identifying themselves.

However, once identifying information about an incident is provided to a non-confidential university office, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. UW–Madison states that information may be shared with people who need it to coordinate the University’s response or as required by law. See UW–Madison Student Support Information.

Contacting SMRRP is not the same as contacting the police

SMRRP is a university office, not a law-enforcement agency.

UW–Madison states that SMRRP is not generally required to report a disclosure to police unless there is an imminent threat to an individual or the campus community. See UW–Madison Student Support Information.

Office of Student Assistance and Support

The Office of Student Assistance and Support can help students address academic, health, personal, and safety concerns.

OSAS may help communicate with instructors, identify academic support, or connect a student with other university services. However, OSAS is not identified as a confidential sexual-assault resource.

A student who wants confidential guidance before contacting OSAS can first speak with a UHS or RCC advocate. The advocate can explain what information may need to be shared and help the student prepare for the conversation.

UW–Madison Police and other law-enforcement agencies

UW–Madison Police, Madison Police, and other law-enforcement agencies are not confidential resources.

A police officer may take a report, document evidence, contact witnesses, and begin or refer a criminal investigation.

Students are not required to make a police report simply because they:

• Spoke with a confidential advocate.
• Received counseling.
• Obtained medical care.
• Received a forensic examination.
• Contacted UW–Madison for supportive assistance.

UW–Madison states that a student is under no obligation to report to law enforcement even after reporting to the University or seeking confidential services. See UW–Madison’s reporting information.

Professors, teaching assistants, advisers, coaches, supervisors, and other employees

Do not assume that a UW–Madison employee can keep a disclosure confidential.

UW–Madison employees can have different reporting duties depending on their positions. Some are designated Responsible Employees and must report information suggesting a possible violation of the University’s sexual harassment and sexual violence policy to the Title IX Coordinator.

Some employees may also be designated Campus Security Authorities under the Clery Act.

UW–Madison additionally states that all employees have a statistical reporting obligation when a student discloses that the student experienced or witnessed a sexual assault. The University says this statistical report does not require identifying information. Separate reporting requirements apply to suspected child abuse or neglect. See UW–Madison’s mandatory-reporting information.

Because these obligations vary by role, ask before sharing details:

“Are you required to report what I tell you? Would you have to include my name or identifying information?”

A responsible employee should explain the reporting obligation before a student provides details whenever possible. UW’s training materials state that Responsible Employees are not permitted to keep information about possible sexual misconduct confidential. See UW–Madison employee training information.

Quick comparison of UW–Madison support options

What happens if I tell a non-confidential UW employee?

Telling a non-confidential employee does not necessarily mean that:

• The police will be contacted.
• A formal investigation will begin.
• You will be forced to participate.
• The accused person will immediately be notified.
• Your professors or parents will be told.

The employee may need to submit information to SMRRP or complete another required report.

UW–Madison states that if SMRRP receives a report identifying a student as someone who may have experienced sexual misconduct, the program may contact the student with information about resources, rights, supportive measures, and university options.

The student generally does not have to meet with SMRRP or respond to the outreach. SMRRP says it works to respect the choices of the person affected, although limited exceptions may apply in emergencies or situations involving broader safety concerns. See UW–Madison Student Support Information.

If you have already told a non-confidential employee and are unsure what will happen next, contact a UHS Survivor Services advocate or an RCC advocate. A confidential advocate can help you understand the process and prepare for any university outreach.

How to ask questions without sharing the entire experience

You are allowed to ask about confidentiality before describing what happened.

Try beginning with one of these questions:

“Are you a confidential resource?”

“Are you required to report sexual assault or sexual harassment disclosures?”

“If I tell you something, who would receive that information?”

“Would you have to provide my name?”

“Can I ask a hypothetical question before identifying anyone?”

“Will a record be created from this conversation?”

“Can I stop before giving details if I decide I do not want a report made?”

You can also begin with a limited statement:

“Something happened, and I want to understand my confidential options before I share any identifying information.”

A trained advocate should understand why you are asking.

How Hazel fits into confidential support at UW–Madison

Hazel is not a UW–Madison office, police agency, medical provider, law firm, or counseling organization. It is a digital platform that connects users with participating providers.

UW–Madison’s official student-support page directs students to Hazel to schedule an appointment with a UW RCC advocate. RCC describes Hazel as a secure scheduling portal through which users can create a profile, schedule meetings, message selected providers, store records, preserve incident details, and decide whether to give a provider access to those records. See UW–Madison Student Support Information.

Creating a Hazel profile or scheduling an RCC advocate appointment is not itself a UW–Madison report or police report.

Privacy within Hazel

Hazel states that records stored in a user’s profile are encrypted and that users decide whether to share records with selected service providers. Hazel’s privacy policy says it does not provide information to participating service providers unless the user requests that sharing through the platform.

The privacy policy also explains that limited employees and contracted vendors may process information when necessary to operate, host, maintain, or secure the platform, and that information may be disclosed when legally required. Review the Hazel Privacy Policy.

This creates an important distinction:

• Hazel’s privacy policy governs how the platform handles account information and records.
• The provider’s professional confidentiality obligations govern what an advocate, counselor, nurse, or attorney can do with information shared during services.

Before storing or sharing sensitive information, review the current Hazel Privacy Policy.

You can review available services and UW RCC advocate appointments through Hazel.

Frequently asked questions

Can I speak with someone without making a university report?

Yes. UHS Survivor Services, UHS medical and mental health providers, and RCC are confidential resources. Contacting one of these providers does not ordinarily initiate a UW–Madison report or institutional response. See UW–Madison’s confidential-resources information.

Can I talk with an RCC advocate without calling the police?

Yes. RCC advocacy and helpline services are confidential. RCC will explain options and respect your choices. You do not have to make a police report to receive support.

Will UHS report what I say to Title IX?

UW–Madison states that UHS is a confidential resource and does not report identifying information to SMRRP or police merely because a student discloses sexual misconduct. UHS may provide aggregate statistics that do not identify the student. See UW–Madison Student Support Information.

Does confidential mean my parents will not be told?

UHS states that confidential advocates will not disclose information to parents without the student’s explicit written permission, as allowable by law. Students with concerns about medical records, insurance billing, shared devices, email, or phone access should ask the provider how those issues are handled before scheduling or receiving care. See UHS advocacy information.

Will speaking with a professor automatically start a Title IX investigation?

Not necessarily. However, the professor may have a reporting obligation. A report may result in outreach from SMRRP, but outreach does not automatically mean that a formal investigation will begin. The student generally is not required to meet with SMRRP.

Can I ask SMRRP questions without giving my name?

Yes. UW–Madison states that SMRRP does not require someone to identify themselves to ask general questions about the program or available resources. SMRRP is still a non-confidential university office, so avoid sharing identifying incident details until you understand how the information will be handled. See UW–Madison Student Support Information.

Can I get academic or housing help while keeping the experience confidential?

A confidential advocate can help you explore accommodations and decide what information may need to be shared. The university office that approves or implements an academic, housing, workplace, or transportation measure may not be confidential.

The advocate can help limit unnecessary disclosure and explain which office needs which information, but complete anonymity may make certain accommodations difficult to arrange.

Does using Hazel mean I have reported the assault?

No. Hazel is a service-access and records platform. Creating a profile, reviewing services, or scheduling with a confidential RCC advocate is not the same as submitting a report to UW–Madison or law enforcement.

Do I have to enter the details of what happened in Hazel?

No. Hazel offers the ability to document an experience, but you decide what to enter and whether to share it with a selected provider. You can create an account and explore services without first writing a complete account. Review how Hazel works.

What if the experience happened before I attended UW–Madison?

UW–Madison states that students can use UHS counseling and advocacy services for victimization that happened before college as well as experiences that occurred while enrolled. See UW–Madison Student Support Information.

What if I am not sure whether it was sexual assault?

You can still contact a confidential provider. You do not need to use a particular label or establish that a policy or law was violated before asking for support.