Victim Advocacy Services

How to Report a Crime at USF St. Petersburg

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, USF ST. PETERSBURG STRONGLY ENCOURAGES YOU TO FILE A COMPLAINT.


Reporting Crimes at USF St. Petersburg

After being victimized, the student has many options for reporting if they are interested. Students are in no way obligated to report being a victim of a crime but are encouraged to report in order to contribute to a safe campus environment and individual care. Reporting can be a difficult process, and may feel like an additional violation. That being said, reporting can help in the recovery process, provide safety and the ability to regain control over life.

Certain USF employees, known as Campus Security Authorities (CSAs), are mandated under federal law to report such crimes and their location per the Clery Act. The victim’s name and identifiers are anonymous. CSAs include, but are not limited to RAs, academic advisors, and student activity coordinators.

You can report a number of ways:

Reporting to Local Law Enforcement

USF St. Petersburg Police Department, contact number (727) 873-4444 is a fully accredited state law enforcement agency providing professional police services and protection to the university community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For crimes occurring off campus, please contact St. Petersburg Police Department (727) 893-7780.

Smartphone users now have the ability to make emergency calls and other helpful functions to improve your personal safety and security. The USF Safe app can trigger Mobile Blue Light to alert police. An interactive map helps you navigate on campus and the toolkit contains a flashlight, alarm and more.

For more information, please visit: USF St. Petersburg Police Department or St. Petersburg Police Department.

Filing a student conduct report if the person who caused harm is or was another student

Incidents of alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct are directed to the Office of Student Conduct. Individuals or groups choosing to file a complaint can arrange a meeting with a staff member from the Office of Student Conduct to discuss the alleged violation, but formal complaints must be submitted in writing via email. To file a report, contact the Student Conduct Office at 727-873-5027 or submit a formal complaint via email

For information on the Conduct process, please visit: Office of Student Conduct & Ethical Development.

The University also has the Student Outreach and Support. It works with students who may be distressed or whose behavior is of concern to others. Student Outreach and Support was established as a way to provide support and assistance to a student before more significant problems arise. A Referral Form can be submitted by anyone that is concerned about a USF St. Petersburg student. If you would like to report a student who may be experiencing distress or showing disruptive and concerning behavior, please visit: Student Outreach and Support Referral Form and Information.

If you are unsure whether or not to submit the form, please call 727-873-4272 and ask to speak to the SOCAT Case Manager.

(Any private reporting that meets the mandatory reporting requirements is shared with police but you do not have to file a police report.)

Filing a Title IX complaint

All students, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to file a complaint of sexual misconduct and/or discrimination in any of the following ways:

  • by contacting the Title IX coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinator listed below
  • By filing an incident report on the Title IX website by utilizing the Title IX Report Form
  • by reporting to any responsible employee or campus security authority
  • by consenting to a confidential employee to share information with the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinators

If you would like to make a report online, anonymous or not, and for more information on Title IX reporting and resources, please visit: Title IX Reporting and Information.

USF Title IX Coordinator

Maggie Denney, M.Ed., LMHC

4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ALN 172,

Tampa, FL 33620

(813) 974-8616

denney1@usf.edu

USF St. Petersburg Campus

Dr. Jacob Diaz, Deputy Coordinator and Dean of Students

140 7th Avenue South, FTF 112

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

(727) 873-4826

jacobdiaz@usf.edu

USF Health

Jenessa Smit, Deputy Coordinator for USF Health

4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ALN 172, Tampa, FL 33620

(813) 974-6092

jenessasmith@usf.edu

Title IX Investigator

Jeff Van Zandt, JD

4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ALN 172

Tampa, FL 33620

(813) 974-3970

jvanzand@usf.edu

Title IX Case Manager

Katie Johnson, B.A.

4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ALN 172

Tampa, FL 33620

johnson210@usf.edu

Confidential Reporting

The Wellness Center is designated as a confidential space for reporting sexual and relationship violence. Consultations with staff members serving in this area will not be considered a report to the University regarding the problematic behavior and therefore will not, without additional action by the student, result in further action by the University. Reports made to the Victim Advocate will be forwarded with no personal identifying information to UPD for counting in mandatory Clery crime statistics, if applicable.

Other ways:

  • Silent Witness Form (if you are a bystander or victim) (anonymous)
  • Any Wellness Center staff member

(Limits to confidentiality: if a child or elder was involved or if the victim/survivor is currently at risk for fatally harming themselves or others, we must disclose.)