Written for The Argo by Mary DeRose, Jecce Harriott, and Jaedyn Thomson

CONTENT WARNING: This article contains language and detailed accounts that may be troubling for those who are sensitive to the subject of sexual misconduct, assault, and/or harassment. Links for help regarding these topics can be found throughout the article.

Back in April of 2025, The Argo was contacted by a victim of sexual harassment, who offered to share his story in order to raise awareness about Stockton’s prolonged process on cases of sexual misconduct. The victim sat down for an interview in September to comment on what happened during his 7 month-long case and how other students can advocate for themselves when making a report.

The victim, a sophomore student, was one of many voices who brought their concerns about sexual misconduct at Stockton to the YikYak social media platform. The thread gained traction from multiple users on the app, and on this, he stated, “My biggest issue and the reason I posted the original [comment], was because Title IX […] took five months from my first report until I finally got an answer from them […] and they denied it.”

He disclosed that his case happened around the months of September and October during his first year on campus, leading him to file an incident report with the Title IX office on October 21, 2024. His name was one of five victims on the report and the accused was a residential assistant (RA) on campus, who would harass them both verbally and through their actions. 

“Immediately, [Title IX] separated him from the rest of us, but he was still involved on campus and worked in […] Residential Life, the [Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Center], so we still crossed paths with him,” the victim said. 

As the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Center (WGSC) is one of the resources survivors can consult for help, the victim had to “time [meetings] with his schedule and ask other people who worked there” to ensure avoiding the accused. About a week after his initial report, Title IX also provided no contact orders and a removal of him as their direct RA.

On November 11, 2024, the victim had a meeting with the Title IX office, “where [they] basically went over everything that was on the report.” After a month of silence, he emailed Title IX again on December 13, 2024, but heard nothing until receiving a denial in March of 2025. 

When asked what he believes Stockton must do better in order for survivors to feel safer, the victim stated, “the responses. Even when I sent them the email again just checking-up because I hadn’t heard anything, their response was a quick, ‘oh, we’re working on it!’” 

Stockton’s full Title IX policy can be read here, but their opening paragraph states the following: “The University will not tolerate sexual misconduct and strongly encourages and supports the reporting of sexual misconduct to permit the investigation and resolution of allegations in a timely, discreet, fair, and impartial manner.” However, the victim stated that the steps he was instructed to take were “confusing.” 

In 2024, during his initial filing, the victim was instructed not to fill out a formal complaint. The Title IX office describes a formal complaint as a “Title IX Coordinator’s Letter of Notice to the parties or a complaint form completed by the Complainant or Coordinator,” which differs from a report, which is “made via the S.U. portal reporting link (online) – or by email, phone, in-person – and it may be made by any person.” Come January, Title IX contacted him requesting the formal complaint on February 10, 2025, which the victim completed.

He was then told by Title IX that the delay in action was a result of the “change in [presidential] administration.” Back in February of 2025, an email was sent out to students on behalf of the Title IX office stating that due to the January 9 federal district court order vacating the 2024 Title IX Final Rule, “2024 Title IX regulations that were implemented on August 1, 2024, are no longer in effect, have been invalidated, and cannot be enforced.” 

Despite the national changes, the victim filed his case prior to the 2024 presidential election and consequent federal policy shifts.

On March 26, the victim received a denial of their case, as his report “didn’t meet the requirements of Title IX.” He was provided documentation of what is deemed sexual harassment, and in an appeal filed on April 17, he quoted the document he was provided alongside his initial report.

“[It was] exactly, word for word what I said happened,” he stated. On May 9, the day in which he was leaving campus for the summer, the victim received a letter denying his appeal. 

At the end of the interview, he stated that the “WGSC was great, they’re good people, it was really just Title IX that was the issue.”

Sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct is unfortunately not a unique experience for many. After speaking with this student about their experience, The Argo spoke with more victims regarding the aforementioned case, the WGSC, and the Title IX office regarding whether or not Stockton’s protocol properly supports its students, what goes into filing a report, and what delays the time between initial filing and a response of action.

Victims who felt a lack of support during a case against their RA

Stockton University prides itself on the safety and support for its students who are victims of sexual assault or harassment, but there are many cases of students going months and up to over a year without having their case heard or even getting their cases denied after fighting to have their voices heard.

The latter is what happened to three Stockton students during their freshman year, who all came forward about their experiences with Stockton’s sexual assault and harassment reporting and support.

The victims lived in Housing 2, floor I-100 which is the standard Gender-Inclusive Housing floor for freshmen. Within the first few months, the three began to have issues with their Resident Assistant (RA), who was a Stockton University Graduate Student and a Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Center (WGSC) employee.

During his time as the group’s RA, he began asking invasive questions regarding undergarments, sharing inappropriate anecdotes about his past experiences with sexual encounters, consistently ignored when the residents said no to physical contact, and made comments about how Gender-Inclusive Housing was special for having ”penises and vaginas on the same floor.” When the residents brought up that he was their RA first, and their friend second, he would respond with comments such as “What you don’t like cuddling?” or “You weren’t being very direct.” He also blamed an ignorance of consent on his mental health diagnoses, such as autism and issues with social cues.

When they initially decided to report the harassment and unprofessional behavior of the RA, they believed they wouldn’t have enough to prove that he was being inappropriate towards them. One victim stated, “It felt like we didn’t have a good enough reason to come forward with anything.”

Multiple times a week, before the group put in the report, the accused would threaten them by saying “I’m going to get you kicked off this floor” or “I control who lives here.” The RA had told them, “Who are they going to believe? It’s you against me, and they know me,” which instilled in them that they didn’t have enough to have their case heard.

They felt as though they had no support throughout the reporting process due to the fact that Title IX was not communicating with them and they had no interview with investigators or a way of getting support through the WGSC due to his employment there. The only contact they received was through a no-contact letter which stated: “Effective immediately, you are to have no direct or third-party contact with [REDACTED], which includes talking, using the telephone, e-mail, cell phone, and all forms of social media.”

Due to the no-contact order, the alleged had reached out to the moderator of the group the victims attended to make sure that they would be at separate meetings from him which caused their typical weekly attendance to now become bi-weekly. It was also made unclear to the victims as to if they were allowed to attend club meetings or events due to his involvement around campus.

When asked about what advice they would give to other students who are going through the same process one victim said, “You are going to be alone through every step of the process and you have to continue to do it despite the lack of support and the lack of information that you are given because you are the only person who will fight for you. They will not help you. They will not support you. They do not care, so you have to do that yourself because if you do not do it, nobody else will.” 

The Argo also spoke with a recent graduate, who requested anonymity, about their perspective on how sexual misconduct cases are handled by the university. The alumnus stated that when reflecting on their career at Stockton, they recall several, individual reported cases that went “seemingly nowhere,” with accused students continuing their academics as usual. They stated that this perspective is shared among their peers and many students now already anticipate that their stories will not be honored by the office.

The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Center on what it means to file a case with their office

When it comes to reporting sexual assault, rape, or sexual harassment on Stockton University’s campus, students have multiple options when reporting through the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Center (WGSC). Students can fill out a Confidential Advocacy Request Form or report directly to someone at the WGSC. Oftentimes, the WGSC will receive referrals via Title IX reports, which may be submitted by a student but are mostly submitted by faculty or staff.

“Reporting a matter through Title IX is confidential but there are limitations to that confidentiality. Information can be shared on an as-needed basis if it’s related to an investigation, a legal obligation or a safety concern. The WGSC is a true confidential resource because our credentials require us to maintain that confidentiality except as it would relate to specific legal obligations like imminent threats of harm,” stated Teresa Barone, Assistant Director & Primary Advocate for the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Center. “If the student is trying to maintain all anonymity, then I would recommend either coming in to the WGSC or filling out the Confidential Advocacy Request Form on our website.” 

When students are faced with the decision of reporting to on-campus resources, such as the WGSC, or reporting to law enforcement, there are a few major differences: law enforcement is bound by Title IX regulations, which require them to report to the Title IX coordinator, while the WGSC is bound to the same confidentiality as social workers—with the exception of harm to self or others or child abuse, they cannot release any information.

Once a student decides to make a report with the WGSC, the first step will be to make a connection with the victim via an online or in-person meeting, and during the initial meeting they will address primary concerns of the victim’s case. Regardless of how a victim reported the assault or harassment, anonymously or not, they are never required to participate in any investigation or file a formal complaint.

Victims are protected from retaliation after a report. Procedure 6940 states, “The following conduct (as well as attempts to engage in such conduct) constitutes retaliation: Intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination, including charges against an individual for Code of Conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or sexual harassment, but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or complaint of sex discrimination, or a report or formal complaint of sexual harassment, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this Procedure.” 

If the victim were to feel that they are being retaliated against, those concerning behaviors would be discussed with the student who is being retaliated against, and the WGSC would advocate for those behaviors to be addressed. This can be addressed in a meeting with the student or by advocating for code of conduct charges.

During an investigation, there is no set timeline due to varied factors: some cases can take two to three months, while others can take a year or more. There is also an option of “Informal Dispute Resolution” in which both parties, victim and alleged, must agree and be approved by a Title IX coordinator. There are some instances, such as sexual assault cases, in which the Title IX coordinator will not even consider this option.

How long does it take Title IX to process reported cases?

From the time in which the victims dealt with Title IX during their case to the present day, the office saw a shift in leadership. This past summer, Brittany Medio became the Interim Title IX Coordinator, succeeding former Coordinator and Director, Tammy Saunders.

The speed in which cases are handled by Title IX was a main concern amongst all victims’, leading Medio to comment on their procedures. When inquiring about the length of time students should expect their cases to process, Medio stated that times “can vary based on several factors, including the complexity of the case and the availability of the individuals involved, and the specific procedural requirements.” It is unclear if there is a specific time frame they try to adhere to.

Medio also mentioned that it is important “that both the person making a report and the person responding to it are treated fairly. The office works to maintain a balanced and neutral process for all parties” when inquired on “challenges” the office faces in these processes. That said, they are verbally firm that students are taken with care and consideration after reporting.

Data and initiatives regarding sexual safety in the 2025 Annual Security & Fire Safety Report

The Annual Security and Fire Safety report for 2025 detailed the definitions and protocols that Stockton refers to when responding to cases, as well as the school’s efforts in protecting students from sexual misconduct. Notably, Dr. William Latham, the Interim Vice President of Student Affairs, outlined the Osprey Advocacy Program and Green Dot Bystander Strategy.

The former entails a 40-hour certification training with Avanzar, and students, faculty, and staff are trained to become victim advocates in sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking cases. From here, trained students can become Peer Educators for the WGSC. The latter initiative’s goal is to “reduce and prevent power-based personal violence on campus through sustained behavioral change.”

The report outlined the different programs that Stockton offered to acquaint the community with sexual safety, including but not limited to the Campus saVE Act, Title IX Education Sessions, and “Respect Your Nest” Presentations. From accredited courses to online seminars, Stockton offered roughly one hundred programs formatted with the intent to create a campus safe from sexual harm.

Regarding the aforementioned concern about the time in which it takes cases to be heard, the report states the following: “The University’s goal is to complete all investigations within a reasonably prompt timeframe. Some investigations may take longer due to complexity, unavailability of witnesses, or other extenuating circumstances. Should the investigation encounter significant delay, the Title IX Coordinator or case investigator will inform the parties of the reasons for the delay and the projected timetable.”

According to the report, the Clery Act, which requires colleges and universities to collect and report crime statistics, was expanded with the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA). Likewise, the Campus SaVE Act amended the Clery Act so it now requires campuses to provide statistics concerning the occurrence of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking incidents reported to campus security authorities or local police.

The following statistics were taken directly from the Security and Fire Safety report and depict data from 2022-2024. Between these three years on the Galloway campus, Stockton Police reported 17 instances of rape, 12 reports of fondling, 27 cases of domestic violence, and 23 reported cases of stalking. On the Atlantic City campus, there were 3 cases of rape, 5 cases of fondling, 27 cases of domestic violence, and 9 cases of stalking. No crimes were reported regarding these cases for Kramer Hall in Hammonton, the Manahawkin Campus, or the Marine Field Station.

The full report can be found on Stockton’s website, and inside are explicitly detailed definitions about the various sex-based crimes that are reported on campus. It’s important to note that these definitions are what Stockton faculty use when handling reported cases, and resources including hotline numbers and safe space locations are also provided for students to use.

For anyone who has been impacted by sexual misconduct or violence, there are many options available for all students on and off campus. These resources can be found here, and it’s imperative that students know they are not alone when dealing with these matters.