Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct Policies and Resources

Privacy: If possible, delicately remind them that you are not a confidential resource before information is disclosed. Reinforce that you are concerned for their well-being, you want to provide assistance, and their privacy is still a priority. However, you wouldn’t want them to share something with the expectation of confidentiality. Should they wish to maintain confidentiality, direct them to appropriate resources such as SHARE (see Resources below).

Appreciate: This is a vital moment. It may be someone’s first time telling someone about this issue. You may want to use language that supports the student while avoiding judgment:

• “Thank you for telling me that, I appreciate you sharing something so difficult.”
• “The University takes this seriously, and so do I.”
• “I’m sorry you’re going through this.”

Responsibility: You have a responsibility to consult with a Title IX Resource Coordinator. “I am going to let the Title IX Resource Coordinator know we talked so we can make sure you have access to resources. This doesn't mean you're filing a complaint. It doesn't launch an investigation and you are not obligated to share any information if you don’t want to. If you'd prefer, I can talk to the Title IX Resource Coordinator for you or with you.”

Tell Someone: Agree on a plan to connect to a Title IX Resource Coordinator, and if they wish, SHARE or other resources. Ask if they want you to follow up with them later, and if so, how they would like you to contact them.

As an Officer of the University, you are responsible for contacting a Title IX Resource Coordinator when you become aware of a potential violation of the Title IX Sexual Harassment or Other Sexual Misconduct Policies.

Why? It is important that those seeking your assistance are fully informed of their options and resources. In addition, this information assists Title IX Resource Coordinators in responding to potential patterns of harassment.

What if my best friend tells me something in confidence? If someone approaches you in your capacity as a close personal friend, and not in your capacity as a representative of the University, the FAS may not require you to tell a Title IX Resource Coordinator. If you are unsure if you have a responsibility to report, contact a Title IX Resource Coordinator to discuss the issue. You do not need to navigate these concerns alone. There are many resources available to assist you in supporting your close personal friend.

If you think that something might potentially constitute a violation, contact a Title IX Resource Coordinator to discuss the issue. You do not need to identify the parties involved during the initial conversation as you and the Title IX Resource Coordinator work together to determine whether the situation warrants notification.

FAS Title IX Resource Coordinators, including Program Officers for Title IX, make sure that you have access to resources and help you understand the policy and your options. Reaching out to them is not the same as filing a complaint. It does not automatically launch an investigation, and you are not obligated to share any information if you don’t want to.

FAS Title IX Resource Coordinators:

• Discuss and, when appropriate, implement supportive measures. Supportive measures help community members continue with their education, research, and participation in all aspects of university life at Harvard. Supportive measures include restrictions on contact, course-schedule alteration, and increased monitoring of certain areas of campus.
• Explain the Title IX sexual harassment and other misconduct policies and procedures, including how to file a formal complaint or request an informal resolution.
• Discuss options, including University and community-based support services. Sometimes people want help handling a problematic situation on their own, before it becomes something they would make a formal complaint about.
• FAS Title IX Resource Coordinators are available to suggest strategies and techniques for confronting and stopping harassing language and behavior in a way that feels right to you. While Title IX Resource Coordinators handle information with utmost sensitivity, maintaining as much privacy as possible, they may need to share information with those who have a need to know.

• If they need medical advocacy or legal accompaniment.
• If they are unsure about how to classify what happened or what steps they want to take.
• If they know they do not want to make a formal complaint, but are in need of support.

• Focus on their feelings and concerns instead of the details of what happened. 
• Offer choices, but don’t push them to make a decision. 
• Use their words, allowing them to define their own experience. 
• Avoid "Why" questions that could be misinterpreted as judgments about their behavior. 
• Only make promises you can keep. 
• If you don’t know the answer, it’s best to say, “I’m not sure, let me find out.” 
• It’s okay to say, “This isn’t something I’m good at, but there are people at Harvard who are.” 

Confidential Staff Resources

• SHARE (24/7 crisis line): If you are experiencing a crisis and need immediate assistance, SHARE maintains a confidential hotline, (617) 495-9100, which is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by SHARE counselors. You may call the hotline for a wide range of issues, including but not limited to sexual harassment, stalking, domestic violence, dating concerns.
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential help for all Harvard employees and their adult household members; this includes postdoctoral fellows.  They offer workplace consultation, help with legal and financial issues, assistance with parenting or elder care resources and more. Phone: 877-EAP-HARV or visit the EAP. You may also call 24/7 to connect to a counselor. 
• Ombuds Office: “Confidential resource available to anyone from Harvard’s community. A discussion with an Ombuds can help a visitor voice concerns, clarify goals and consider options so that they can make their own best decisions about next steps.”  
• Harvard University Health Services (HUHS)- 24-hour urgent care - (617) 495-5711
• Harvard University Health Services Behavioral Health which offers onsite, telemedicine visits, and after-hours telephone consultations. Smith Campus Center, 75 Mt. Auburn Street Entrance, 4th Floor, (617) 495-2323
• Chaplain Services: (617) 879-8365, can reach out to individual chaplains and engage in ongoing resources as appropriate. 

Other Staff Resources

• Harvard University Police Department (HUPD): (617) 495-1212 or local police (including 911)
• Office for Gender Equity: uses a multipronged approach to addressing issues of sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct. Individuals may choose to engage in one or more of the offerings provided by the office. These include: prevention and education initiatives, support through confidential SHARE counseling, making a disclosure to a Title IX resource coordinator, submitting an anonymous disclosure, or filing a formal complaint. Call (617) 496-0200 or email oge@harvard.edu.
• Harvard Office of Work/Life
  • Learn to Live: A collection of self-directed online mental health resources based on proven cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles. Learn to Live provides self-assessment tools to identify the thoughts and behaviors at the root of your troubles (Discussed further in the Wellbeing at Harvard Newsletter, September 2022). 

Community and Additional Resources

• Talk to Someone
• Community Resources

Sexual Harassment and Other Misconduct Policies

• University policies
• FAS policies