SPONSORED BY STUDENT AFFAIRS
A Coordinated Effort Against Sexual Assault: Join The Heights and Student Affairs in the Quad from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9th to learn about resources for responding to and reporting sexual misconduct.
Beginning as an activism effort by two former Heights editors, this guide has since been sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs as a formal resource for students seeking to report incidents of sexual assault and sexual misconduct at the University.
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Responding to Sexual Misconduct:
Working Toward a Campus Free From Sexual Violence
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As a student at Boston College, you are entitled to a campus environment that is free from sexual misconduct in any form, in accordance with Title IX. Sexual misconduct covers all forms of sexual violence, including: force, threats, abuse, assault, stalking, and relationship violence, whether perpetrated by a stranger or acquaintance, whether occurring on or off campus, and whether directed against a member of the Boston College community or someone outside the University community.
Boston College will respond to reports of sexual misconduct with a fair and impartial process. It’s important that, as a student, you are familiar with the University’s sexual violence prevention and response efforts so that, together, we can create an environment that is free from sexual harassment and violence. This is an issue that affects all students, and we all hold a responsibility to ourselves and to each other to work toward a campus climate that is free from exploitation, intimidation, and discrimination.
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PREVENTING SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
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Coordinated Effort to Communicate Policy, Resources, and Response: All students are provided the policy at the beginning of the year which outlines what sexual misconduct is, how complaints are handled, and where to go for support and assistance.
Concerned About Rape Education (C.A.R.E): A week of programming to raise awareness about sexual assault, rape, and intimate partner violence.
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Bystander Intervention Education: A peer-led sexual assault prevention program that empowers Boston College students to stand up and speak out to prevent instances of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking.
Bystander 2.0: A new module for student clubs, organizations, and athletic teams addresses the cultural factors that may contribute to instances of sexual misconduct.
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Haven–Understanding Sexual Assault: An online module that addresses critical issues of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. Required for all first year students prior to arrival. First year students also participate in a Welcome Week activity about consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships.
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UNDERSTANDING TITLE IX
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Title IX is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any institution that receives federal funding. Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are Civil Rights offenses subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race and national origin.
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In the case that such misconduct does occur, colleges and universities must respond to the reasonable requests of students who report sexual harassment or violence, which may include:
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Academic help
Connecting with classroom support, seeking assignment extensions, rearranging class schedules.
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Housing measures
Moving one or both parties from shared living areas.
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Employment accommodations
Modified work schedules.
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University Stay Away Orders
Requiring parties to refrain from contacting one another.
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REPORTING AN INCIDENT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
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If you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct in any form at Boston College, there are 4 resources for making the University aware of the incident(s):
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Sexual Assault Network Hotline (SANet): 617–552–2211:
SANet can help you take the first step in filing a report, including understanding the investigation process and supporting your choice, no matter what you decide. Please note that if you call SANet during the summer, your call will be routed to the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. Information disclosed during calls is shared with Student Affairs Title IX Coordinator but callers have the option to remain anonymous.
Student Affairs Title IX Coordinator: 617–552–3482:
Contact Katie O’Dair: katherine.odair@bc.edu
Oversees the University’s response to complaints of sexual misconduct in cases in which a Boston College student is the complainant or respondent. The coordinator will help ensure that appropriate measures are taken to adequately address complaints and protect the safety and wellbeing of victims and is available to meet with students as needed.
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Office of the Dean of Students: 617–552–3470:
Contact Rich DeCapua: decapua@bc.edu There are several options within the Office of the Dean of Students:
- Speak with a staff member to gain advice, support, and information. This does not require a student to take disciplinary action or divulge information they are not comfortable sharing.
- Provide the name of the alleged perpetrator in a report and/or request a University “Stay Away Order.” Note that both students are made aware of the order, which includes students’ names.
- Provide a report and request a disciplinary investigation through the Office of the Dean of Students.
Boston College Police Department (BCPD): 617–552–4444:
Reporting to police is an optional step you can take at any time after an incident of sexual assault. Specially trained offcers will conduct a formal investigation of the incident. Offcers will collect any evidence, and can bring you to the hospital for forensic evidence collection.
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GETTING SUPPORT AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT
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Sexual Assault Network (SANet) advocates are available to arrange transport to the hospital. It is recommended to seek a Sexual Assault Nurse Examination (SANE) at a local hospital within 120 hours of the incident.
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SANet can be reached at 617–552–2211 and callers may choose to remain anonymous. Women’s Center Assistant Director Rachel DiBella can provide details about all available options at 617–552–2735. University Counseling Services can be reached at 617–552–3310, or after hours at 617–552–3227
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You Are Not Alone is written for survivors of sexual misconduct, to provide support as well as important information about prohibited conduct, available resources on and off campus, and ways to file a complaint in order to assist survivors in the recovery process and in their efforts to heal from this unacceptable form of violence. It can be found here.
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Visit www.bc.edu/sar for Boston College’s Student Sexual Misconduct Policy and more information.
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