FAS’s Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy that adopts the University Policy and incorporates the University Procedures, including for purposes of student discipline, covers all forms of sexual harassment, including sexual misconduct. As explained in the policies, sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, and domestic and dating violence, is a form of sexual harassment.
Legal Recourse
Rape and indecent assault and battery are felonies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and any student who believes that they have suffered a rape or indecent assault and battery is strongly encouraged to report the incident to the HUPD immediately (617-495-1212) or the local police where the alleged incident occurred.
Students who wish to report an allegation of sexual violence may also choose to initiate a formal complaint with the Office for Dispute Resolution. For more information regarding the formal complaint process, please visit ODR's website or visit the University’s Title IX website.
Formal complaints within the University may be pursued whether or not a complainant chooses to file criminal charges. Counseling and consultations regarding emotional, legal, and administrative concerns are available to those students who wish to pursue either University or criminal charges, or both.
Resources
Harvard and the local community provide many resources to support, advise, and assist victims of rape and sexual assault. All of the following resources have had training to deal effectively with sexual assault. In addition to HUPD and HUHS, Harvard College has administrative officers and counselors available to help. Some resources are as follows:
University Resources:
This website provides information regarding Harvard’s Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy, procedures, as well as the many resources available to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based harassment at Harvard.
Harvard University Police Department (HUPD)
Sensitive Crimes Unit -
617-495-1796 - 8 am–4 pm
After these hours, HUPD, 617-495-1212
https://www.hupd.harvard.edu/personal-and-violent-crime
Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
24 Hour-Hotline: 617-495-9100
Business: 617-495-5636
Peer Education and Counseling
Consent Advocates and Relationship Educators (CARE) (peer education)
RESPONSE
(peer counseling for sexual assault)
Visit: Lowell House Basement E-013
, Sun.-Weds., 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Call: 617-495-9600, every night, 8 p.m.- 8 a.m.
Title IX
TBA, Title IX Coordinator, Harvard College
Contact: TBA
Brian Libby, Title IX Coordinator, Harvard College
Contact: blibby@fas.harvard.edu, 617-384-6943
Title IX at Harvard University
Nicole Merhill, Title IX Officer
Contact: nicole_merhill@harvard.edu, 617-496-2470
Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR)
William McCants, Director for the Office for Dispute Resolution
Contact: odr@harvard.edu, 617-495-3786
Harvard University Health Services
HUHS Behavioral Health Services
HUHS Medical After-Hours Service
Pound Hall, Harvard Law School
- 617-495-5711 - nights and weekends
HUHS Counseling and Mental Health Services
Smith Campus Center -
617-495-2042
Community Resources:
Beth Israel Hospital Emergency Room (West Campus) (for medical evidence collection within 5 days of a sexual assault)
Clinical Center, Pilgrim Road, Boston
- 617-754-2400
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Rape Intervention Program
617-667-8141
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Hotline
99 Bishop Allen Drive (Central Square) Cambridge
- 617-492-RAPE or 617-492-7273
Cambridge Hospital Victims of Violence Program
Central Street Health Clinic, Somerville
- 617-591-6360
Outside Agencies:
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)
If a student does not wish to use these Harvard or Community resources, HUPD and the College encourage any students who have been sexually assaulted to identify a trusted friend, family member, counselor, or other source of support to help deal with the emotional trauma they may experience, and know that at any time, there are additional resources available.
Ideally, a good source of support will allow a survivor of sexual assault or rape to make decisions and take control over the choices they make after the assault. For additional information about University support and resources for sexual violence, visit the Harvard University Police Department webpage on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking.