Reporting Options

The University encourages individuals to seek help. We recognize the decision to report is not easy and are committed to ensuring that everyone understands the options available to them and the various ways the University can address harm while offering support and care.

Individuals have options when it comes to reporting incidents of discrimination, discriminatory harassment (based on gender identity or sexual orientation), sexual misconduct (including sexual assault, sexual harassment), dating/domestic violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and other unwanted contact. If the individual would like to notify the University, they can report the incident to the Title IX Coordinator or designee by submitting an Incident Report Form.

What to Expect if I Report?

Should I Seek Help?

 

 

 Yes. We strongly encourage any individual who has experienced discriminatory harassment, sexual misconduct (including sexual assault, sexual harassment), dating/domestic violence, stalking, and other unwanted contact to seek help.

Get safe, seek medical care, preserve any evidence and obtain support. A list of on and off campus resources can be obtained here.
 

Should I Report?

 

 You can report to the Title IX Coordinator at any time. The Title IX Coordinator and Title IX Team are trained to prevent, respond to, and address prohibited conduct. If you are not sure whether you want the University to know there was an incident, contact a Confidential Resource Provider (CRP) to discuss your options in confidence.

The CRP is trained in awareness and prevention of sexual misconduct and in responding to harm in a sensitive manner to help individuals. The CRP will review reporting options and the effects of each option; refer to counseling on- or off-campus; provide information; assist with obtaining school- or work-based supportive measures; explain BU’s disciplinary process; explain how the legal process is carried out through local law enforcement agencies; and inform the reporting party of their rights and BU’s responsibilities in obtaining a criminal protection order, a BU No Contact Directive, and a BU No Trespass Order. The CRP will ensure any conversation is confidential and has NO duty to report sexual misconduct to the University or to the Title IX Coordinator.
Report of Prohibited Conduct (i.e., sexual misconduct or sexual harassment) A report of prohibited conduct can be submitted through our Incident Report Form, over the phone, via email or in person. A written, signed Formal Complaint will be required should the conduct meet the definition of Title IX Sexual Harassment or Sexual Misconduct.
Initial Assessment

 

 The Title IX Coordinator or team member will review the information to determine whether it may constitute a possible violation of University policy, and will respond to any immediate health or safety concerns raised by the report. If the information appears to rise to prohibited conduct, the Title IX Coordinator or team member will request to meet with the party who filed the report.
Initial Outreach

 

 A member of the Title IX team will conduct outreach to the person who allegedly experienced the harm by email.  The email will contain information about their rights, available resources, and supportive measures, as well as an invitation to meet with a team member.
Intake Meeting

 

 

 

 Meeting with the Title IX Coordinator or Title IX Team member is encouraged, but is completely voluntary. You are welcome to bring an Advisor or support person to every meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to review the party’s rights, available resources, supportive measures, resolution options, options and process for filing a Formal Complaint. If the party declines to meet the University may dismiss and then close the complaint. At any time, the parties can change their mind and file a Formal Complaint to move forward.

In extraordinary circumstances BU may proceed without the impacted individual if there is enough evidence and information to do so. Why? Because BU has a duty to end prohibited conduct to keep community members safe.
Supportive Measures

 

 

 Supportive measures are designed to mitigate the effects of the alleged prohibited conduct, maintain access to the University and prevent any reoccurrence.

The party does not have to file a Formal Complaint to request supportive measures.

Examples: Referrals to on/off campus counseling services, requests for academic flexibility, housing or schedule changes, No Contact Directives (this is a stay away order directing the parties to not contact one another)
 

Explore Resolution Options

 

 The impacted individual can decide which resolution option is best for them. They can pursue any of the following resolution options:

  • A University Resolution Process is available if the Respondent or the party accused was associated with BU at the time the alleged incident occurred.
    • University offers two options:
      • 1) Formal Grievance Process and
      • 2) Informal Resolution Process
  • Criminal Process
  • Both
  • None of the Above

You are NOT required to participate in a resolution process. You can choose what reporting option works best for you.
Any Questions? Not Sure What to Do? Contact University Title IX Coordinator Jean Estevez at titleix@bu.edu

 

Reporting Options:

  1. University Reporting Process
    • You can report the incident to the Title IX Coordinator by completing this Incident Report Form. A Formal Complaint in writing and signed by the party is required under the Title IX process. Individuals who wish to file an anonymous complaint may do so, however, the  anonymity may impact the ability of the University’s ability to respond or proceed.
  2. Report to the Police
    • Any individual may report misconduct to the Boston University Police Department (BUPD) or area police where the alleged incident occurred. Individuals may choose to report to law enforcement and the University.
    • Contact BUPD to learn more.