If you or someone you know has recently experienced any type of sexual violence, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or sexual harassment, the first step is to get to a safe place and seek help.
CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCES
If you are not sure if you want to report to the College and/or local law enforcement, confidential resources are available.
The following resources provide a confidential space for students to discuss their options and receive information about campus and community resources. Confidential resources will not report the information you share, even in a court of law. However, before beginning a conversation, you can always ask a confidential resource (even hypothetically speaking) what information they might need to share and under what circumstances.
On Campus Confidential Resources: Counseling Services are available for students who wish to speak with a confidential resource. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please visit the department’s website at https://www.massbay.edu/counseling
Off Campus Confidential Resources: Please note the following resources are not affiliated with MassBay, but each are local and may be helpful to you or someone you know:
REACH
Provides free, community-based services for those experiencing Domestic Violence. 24 hour hotline available.
Hotline: 1-800-899-4000
Email: info@reachma.org
Website: https://reachma.org
Voice Against Violence
Provides free and confidential services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. 24 hour hotline available.
Hotline: 1-800-593-1125
Website: https://www.smoc.org/voices-against-violence.php
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC)
Provides free, confidential support and services to survivors of sexual violence ages 12 and up, and their families and friends. 24 hour hotline available.
Hotline: 1-800-841-8371
Website: https://barcc.org/help
R.I.A. (Ready Inspire Act)
Provides support and services to adults who have experiences in commercial sex, and its associated exploitation, trafficking, and prostitution.
Website:https://readyinspireact.org/
REPORTING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
The decision about whether to report to MassBay, law enforcement, both, or neither is a personal choice and is up to the victim at their discretion. Any individual who experiences sexual violence (including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and/or sexual harassment) has the right to pursue a criminal complaint with local police. MassBay Campus Police can assist with contacting the local police to file a criminal complaint. Individuals can contact Campus Police directly at 781-239-2222.
REPORTING TO THE COLLEGE
Reporting information to the College is a personal decision and often a difficult one. An individual who has experienced any form of sexual violence, regardless of where and when it occurs should know that the College is here and can walk you through different resources and options. As you consider the decision whether to report, please be reminded of the following:
- You can choose whether you want to submit a formal complaint in writing. However you do not need to submit a formal complaint in writing as a first step. Rather, you can speak with the College’s Title IX Coordinator to obtain more information on the process.
- Reporting something that happened does not necessarily mean an investigation will occur. If an investigation does begin, you get to decide how much to participate in that investigation.
- You decide whether you will report the incident to the College, law enforcement, confidential resources, all, or none.
- An individual who reports sexual violence will not “get into trouble” or be subject to disciplinary action for being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs at the time of the incident, so long as their use was not harmful to others. This is the College’s Amnesty Policy and is outlined in the College’s Complaint Procedures.
- You can report something anonymously. However, it may impact the College’s ability to respond to the information in the report or investigate to the fullest extent possible. Regardless, an anonymous report does inform the College with information about incidents of sexual violence and its occurrence within our community.
- Once the College has received information, we will take all steps and measures necessary to protect you. We recognize that sometimes people do not want to report out of fear of retaliation. Please know that retaliation in any form, towards anyone, is strictly prohibited and has no place within our community.
- You can decide to report at any time. If this is a decision you are struggling with, confidential resources are a great way to explore options and get more information.