What to Do if You Experience Sexual Assault

File a Title IX Report

What should I do if I have I have been sexually assaulted?

Experiencing a sexual assault, sexual violence or another type of Sexual Misconduct can be confusing and frightening. Individuals who experience a sexual assault are encouraged to read through these guidelines about options for what to do after experiencing a sexual assault. The steps identified below are provided as guidelines only.

Get to a safe place.

If the alleged perpetrator is still in the area and/or their presence on campus is threatening, call Suffolk University Police (SUPD) at 617.573.8111. Off campus, call 911 to contact the police department in the city or town where you are located.

Preserve physical evidence.

Because evidence of a sexual assault and the perpetrator’s identity (hair, seminal fluids, bits of skin, etc.) may be left on the victim's/survivor’s body, it is important not to bathe, shower, douche, or even use the toilet if avoidable. If the victim/survivor was assaulted orally, drinking or brushing teeth prior to an exam should be avoided. Victims/survivors should not straighten up the scene of the incident and should take a change of clothes to the hospital. If the victim/survivor must change clothes, put the items that were worn at the time of the attack in a paper bag (not plastic) and bring them to the hospital. Having physical evidence collected can strengthen a case if the victim/survivor decides to pursue legal action. Also preserve physical evidence such as photographs, videos, text messages and voicemail messages. Suffolk University Police (SUPD) can assist in preserving such evidence.

Seek timely medical attention.

Victims/survivors are encouraged to go for a sexual assault exam as soon as possible because injuries should be treated promptly and evidence deteriorates quickly.

If a victim/survivor is on campus, Suffolk University Police (SUPD), 617.573.8111, can arrange free taxi transportation to Massachusetts General Hospital. Victims/survivors do not have to inform Suffolk University Police they are the victim/survivor of a sexual assault. If off campus, call 911 or local law enforcement for assistance with emergency transportation (ambulance) to a hospital. Many hospitals, including Massachusetts General Hospital, employ trained sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) who will help victims/survivors once they arrive to the hospital. These nurses will support victims/survivors throughout their experience at the hospital and are trained to collect forensic evidence, check for injuries, and provide preventative treatment for pregnancy and exposure to sexually transmitted infections. A victim/survivor may bring a friend or family to the hospital for support.

The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) can provide a free medical advocate to meet victims/survivors and their friends or families in hospital emergency departments. In the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault or rape, victims/survivors face a host of emotional, medical, and legal decisions. BARCC medical advocates are certified rape crisis counselors who provide information and support to the victim/survivor and/or friends or family at the hospital. Advocates provide support throughout the entire forensic exam if the victim/survivor wishes. They can also be helpful with safety planning, arranging transportation, paperwork, and with follow-up plans. Research has shown that victims/survivors who have a rape crisis advocate present at the hospital are more likely to feel positive about the experience of going to the hospital. This is an important start to the healing process. BARCC can be reached at its 24-hour hotline at 800.841.8371.

There are a number of hospitals in the Boston area with sexual assault nurse examiners

Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street Boston, MA 02114-2622, 617-726-2000

Boston Medical Center, One Boston Medical Center Place, Boston, MA 02118, 617-638-6800
BMC Patient Information

Beth Israel Deaconess Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, 617-667-7000
BI Deaconess Contact Information

Students Only

Suffolk University’s Counseling Health and Wellness Center, located on the 5th floor of 73 Tremont Street, 617-573-8260, provides services to students and can provide referrals for physical exams, pregnancy tests, and screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections during business hours. Please note: The Counseling, Health and Wellness Center does not have a sexual assault nurse examiner.

Employees Only: Employees and their household members have access to the work/life support program through New Directions Behavioral Health (formerly E4 Health). This plan supports you with a variety of confidential services to assist you with the challenges of everyday life including personal, financial, wellness, new parenting, adoption, education, and legal help. New Directions Behavioral Health also provides a robust website with a variety of resources including fun perks such as discounted movie tickets.

For more information visit their website, enter "Suffolk University" for company code or call them at 1-800-624-5544.

What Can I Do?

Suffolk University provides several options for students, staff, and faculty who believe that they have been subjected to Sexual Misconduct. These include:

Seek information

There are a number of offices on campus that are available to provide you with information about resources available at the University and elsewhere that provide support.

Students

Counseling Center, Health and Wellness Center, 5^th floor, 73 Tremont Street
Counseling: 617-573-8226
Health and Wellness: 617-573-8260

Office of Title IX,13th floor, 73 Tremont Street
617-573-8027

Student Affairs /Dean of Students (CAS and SBS students), 12^th floor, 73 Tremont Street

Dean of Students Office (Law students), 4^th floor, 120 Tremont Street
617-573-8157

Residence Life and Housing, 7^th floor, 73 Tremont Street
617-305-2500

Suffolk University Police Department, Floor A, 8 Ashburton Place
Non-emergency lines: 617-573-8113 or 617-573-8333

Employees

Human Resources, 5^th floor, 73 Tremont Street
617-573-8415

Students and Employees

Suffolk University Police Department, Floor A, 8 Ashburton Place
Non-emergency lines: 617-573-8113 or 617-573-8333

Seek confidential advice.

The University will treat information it receives with appropriate sensitivity. However, the University cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality in all situations.

Different employees on campus have different abilities to maintain an individual’s confidentiality. Some are required to maintain confidentiality (see below). Most employees are considered Responsible Employees and are required to report the Sexual Misconduct, including the identities of the Complainant and the Respondent, to the Director of Title IX Compliance.

This reporting is necessary for several reasons, including the need to ensure that persons subject to the sexual assault and/or misconduct receive appropriate information and services, to track incidents and, where appropriate, to take actions to protect the Suffolk community.

On-Campus Confidential Reporting Options: Student-only Resources

If you are a student and you want to speak confidentially, you may speak with the professional counselors, in the University Counseling, Health and Wellness Center and the University Chaplain University Interfaith Center. Contact information for these resources as well as Non-Confidential Reporting options are listed below.

Counseling, Health and Wellness Centers
73 Tremont Street, 5th floor
617-573-8226
Contact us via email.

Interfaith Center
The Reverend Amy Fisher, University Chaplain
8 Ashburton Place
Sawyer Building, Room 823
617-573-8325

Confidential Reporting Options: Employee-only resources

Employees Only:

Employees Only: Employees and their household members have access to the work/life support program through New Directions Behavioral Health (formerly E4 Health). This plan supports you with a variety of confidential services to assist you with the challenges of everyday life including personal, financial, wellness, new parenting, adoption, education, and legal help. New Directions Behavioral Health also provides a robust website with a variety of resources including fun perks such as discounted movie tickets.

Additional Resources for Students and Employees

Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC)
800-841-8371 (24-hour hotline),

BARCC offers free, confidential services to sexual assault victims/survivors, their friends and families. It also operates a 24-hour confidential hotline that provides victims/survivors of sexual assault with telephone counseling and personal support. The Center also maintains a referral network of victim/survivor support groups (call 617-492-RAPE or 617-492-7273).

Casa Myrna Vasquez
451 Blue Hill Ave
Boston, 02121
617- 521-0100, or by email

Casa Myrna offers a comprehensive range of services, available in both Spanish and English, for victims/survivors of domestic and dating violence, to assist with the tools to recover from the trauma of abuse and begin to build sustainable self-sufficiency.

Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Queer (GLBTQ) Domestic Violence Project
617-354-6056

The GLBTQ Domestic Violence Project provides free and confidential support and services for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer victims/survivors of domestic and sexual violence. It works with victims/survivors to increase safety, security, and foster empowerment through direct services, education, and advocacy.

Jane Doe Inc. (Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence)
C/O WeWork
8^thfloor Suite 800
745 Atlantic Avenue 02111
617-248-0922 or by email

Jane Doe Inc. is an interactive service locator tool to find sexual assault and domestic violence resources in your area and a map of service providers across Massachusetts.

Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC)
617-399-6720
VRLC is dedicated to serving the legal needs of sexual assault victims. The VRLC provides free legal services, legal training and technical assistance.

Disclaimer: We have included links to other websites and we encourage students and employees to evaluate the materials and to use what they find to be helpful. Please keep in mind that Suffolk University cannot assume responsibility for information on other web sites. For personal assistance, Suffolk University students should contact Counseling, Health and Wellness at 617-573-8226 to schedule an appointment with one of our professional counselors. Assistance is available after normal business hours, on the weekends and holidays by calling Counseling, Health and Wellness at 617-573-8226 and following the prompts to be connected with a mental health profession