GVSC Confidentiality
The GVSCs are confidential through UNC-Chapel Hill’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct.
The GVSCs are a separate resource from the Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office and law enforcement.
We want to work closely with you to maintain privacy and confidentiality. What you say to the GVSC will remain confidential, with the following exceptions listed below.
Exceptions to Confidentiality
- You express a high risk for suicide
- You express a high risk for violence towards others
- You share information regarding suspected child abuse and/or neglect by a parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker
- You share information regarding suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a disabled or elder adult by the caretaker
- You disclose that someone under the age of 18 experienced a violent offense, sexual offense, or misdemeanor child abuse and that incident occurred after December 1, 2019
- The University receives a lawfully-issued subpoena or court order and is required to share information that you have disclosed; in this circumstance, and unless prohibited, the University will provide you with advance notice of this required disclosure
If the GVSC is required to share any information in the exceptions above, they will maintain the privacy of your information and share only the minimum amount of information necessary with individuals who need to know. Unless prohibited, the GVSC will let you know what information was shared, to whom it was shared, when it was shared, and any information known about possible next steps.
Release(s) of Information
If you would like the GVSC to speak with another individual, office, and/or agency at any point, the GVSC will ask you to sign a release of information form and/or provide your explicit permission via email. If the GVSC speaks with another entity, they will share only the information included in the release to the individual, office, and/or agency included on the form. You can update or rescind a release of information at any point by contacting the GVSC.
Bringing a Support Person
Please feel free to bring someone with you when we meet. If you do, the GVSC will ask you to sign a release of information to ensure that you feel comfortable with the individual joining our meeting.
Questions?
The GVSCs are happy to talk further about any of these exceptions and answer questions you might have about our reporting obligations before you choose to share any information. You can also choose to limit any personally identifying information you share, but it may limit the scope of services the GVSC can provide.