Information for Students

Sexual assaults are terrifying and traumatic. If you have been sexually assaulted it is important to seek medical care and treatment to minimize your risk of HIV exposure, sexually transmitted infections and for women pregnancy. After a sexual assault, it's not uncommon to feel fearful, confused, guilty, ashamed or isolated. Many people find it helpful to talk with someone about these feelings. The College's brochure, Sexual Assault: Information for Men and Women provides helpful information detailing the immediate steps to take following a sexual assault. There are many concerned and professionally trained people at Emerson College and in the community who are prepared to help you.

Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) - 24 Hour Hotline 1.800.841.8371

On Campus Sexual Assault Response Team:

Emerson College does not tolerate sexual assault in any form. All forms of sexual assault are prohibited by the College’s Code of Conduct and are considered felonies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Individuals who violate the law are subject to harsh penalties through a court of law and/or the campus discipline system. Sexual Assault: Information for Men and Women outlines the procedure to file a criminal complaint as well as a complaint through the College’s disciplinary process. You determine what action if any to pursue.

Procedures for Faculty and Staff

A student who has experienced a sexual assault (“student survivor”) may disclose information regarding the assault to any member of the College community. If you receive first hand information that a sexual assault has occurred from the student survivor you should strongly urge the student survivor to report the event to one of the departments that comprise the Sexual Assault Team. The Sexual Assault Team consists of the professional staff of the following Departments and Centers: Department of Public Safety, Office of the General Counsel, Counseling Center, Center for Health and Wellness, Office of the Dean of Students and Department of Housing and Residence Life.

Do not hesitate to call any member of the Sexual Assault Team for consultation and/or assistance.

Sexual Assault Team members will take the following steps as appropriate:

1. Insure the safety of the student survivor.
2. Encourage the student survivor to seek immediate medical treatment to one of the local hospitals. Encourage the student survivor not to shower/bathe, brush teeth, comb hair or change clothes prior to obtaining treatment in order to protect any evidence that can be gathered. The student should bring a change of clothes to the hospital, as clothing worn during the assault will be collected for evidence. If the student survivor has already changed clothes, the clothing worn during the assault should be placed in a brown paper bag and brought to the hospital.
3. Inform the student survivor of the appropriate resources on campus such as the Counseling Center, Center for Health and Wellness, Public Safety, the Dean of Students or Housing and Residence Life.
4. Encourage the student survivor to seek emotional support.
5. Inform the student survivor of his or her option to file a complaint with the Dean of Students (if the perpetrator is also a student), to report the crime to the Boston Police Sexual Assault Unit or the District Attorney’s Office, or take no administrative/legal action.

The College's brochure, Sexual Assault: Information for Men and Women provides helpful information about sexual assault.