Survivor Services
We offer many services to BU students who are survivors of sexual assault, dating violence, interpersonal violence, and other traumas.
Our team of specialized counselors provides:
- Free & confidential counseling for BU students
- Support groups and workshops
- Medical, legal, and academic advocacy
- Support that will not result in a report to the University
- 24/7 advocacy support through SARP’s crisis line at (617) 353-7277
- Office locations on the Charles River and Medical Campus
- Referrals for services and support in the community
What to expect from us
We strive to be a supportive, nonjudgmental, and affirming resource for all survivors of interpersonal violence and trauma. We empower survivors to make the best decisions for themselves. This includes if, when, and how survivors report their experiences to the University or other authorities.
When you connect with us, you’ll be treated with respect and compassion. We might ask you questions like, “What brings you in today?” “Can you tell me what services you are looking for?” or “Can you tell me a little bit about what’s going on?”
We ask these questions to better understand your needs and connect you to the right resources. A brief summary is fine—specific details aren’t needed.
How to schedule an appointment
You can schedule non-urgent appointments online, by phone, or by visiting our office.
If you have experienced a sexual assault in the last 5 days, please call (617) 353-7277 so we can provide you with urgent care.
If you need help right away, call 617-353-7277 or visit the SARP office on the Charles River Campus (930 Commonwealth Ave.) during business hours.
To schedule online:
- Log into Patient Connect
- Select Appointments
- Select Schedule an Appointment
- Confirm that it’s not a life-threatening emergency
- Select SARP and view the options to send a message or book an appointment
- If you choose to book an appointment, you will be asked a few questions
Schedule by phone:
- Call (617) 353-7277 to speak with a counselor during business hours.
If you call over the weekend or after 5 p.m. on a weekday, let the phone ring until you hear a voice message instructing you to press 1 to leave a non-urgent voicemail or 2 to speak urgently with the crisis counselor on call.
Schedule in person:
- Walk into the SARP office located on the Charles River Campus at 930 Commonwealth Ave, 1st Floor, Boston, MA 02215.
FAQs
Is there a cost for services?
Our services are free of charge, and we do not bill insurance.
Are services confidential?
SARP counselors do not disclose information to anyone without your expressed, written consent. This protected information includes the fact that you are receiving services from us. We do not share your information with the University (such as professors or administrators), reporting authorities (such as BUPD or Boston Police), or your family (such as your parents). The only rare situations where we would break confidentiality are if we are concerned you might hurt yourself or someone else, or if a vulnerable person is in danger.
What can I expect when calling the SARP crisis line?
SARP offers a 24/7 advocacy crisis line for students who have experienced trauma. When you call after hours, a SARP counselor will answer the phone, ask you about your issue, and help you make an immediate plan. This conversation is confidential. The counselor will provide you with information to consider and will help you weigh your options. At the end of the call, the counselor will also discuss a long-term plan, which might include coming into SARP for a follow-up meeting with the counselor.
What can I expect from counseling at SARP?
Each counselor tailors their counseling sessions to the needs of the survivor and the symptoms they experience. Some survivors will have mental health symptoms following their trauma, such as depression and anxiety. SARP provides ongoing individual counseling for these students. The counselor will provide education about the impact of trauma and ways of coping and healing. Various types of counseling exist, and if SARP counselors do not provide what you are seeking, we can help refer you to counselors in the community who do.
Does SARP provide specialized counseling for trauma?
Yes. One specialized type of counseling that all SARP counselors offer is Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), an evidence-based structured program that takes up to 12 sessions. CPT has been shown to reduce symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by helping survivors evaluate and change upsetting thoughts that follow their traumatic experience. Exercises and worksheets are completed daily between sessions and then discussed with the counselor at weekly or twice-weekly meetings.
Does SARP provide mental health referrals?
Some survivors will identify a need that cannot be met at SARP. In these instances, we can help connect you to other providers, departments, or organizations. For instance, SARP counselors do not provide medications but can refer you to psychiatry providers for evaluation and treatment. We also work closely with
mental health referral coordinators when survivors prefer off-campus care.
Are there any services that SARP does not provide?
Two common areas of need that SARP cannot address are medical and legal:
- Medical: Some survivors have needs that require visits to medical providers, including psychiatrists or infectious disease doctors. SARP does not provide these services, but we can help connect you to Student Health Services or off-campus medical providers.
- Legal: Some survivors have needs that require consultation with a lawyer, such as restraining orders and criminal complaints. SARP does not provide these services, but we can connect you to lawyers who specialize in restraining orders, immigration, or other legal areas, often at no or low cost to you.
What if I would like to make an official complaint to BU?
To file an official complaint with the Offices of Equal Opportunity please see the
EEO website or complete this
complaint form.
Advocacy & Accompaniment
Many survivors must weigh their options regarding safety, medical care, reporting options, and academic support. Our counselors are specially trained to assist survivors in these areas. Learn more about our advocacy & accompaniment.
Groups & Workshops
Our educational groups and workshops focus on how trauma impacts an individual’s wellbeing and mental health, and connect students with similar experiences. Learn more about groups.
