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Support and Resources

A Collaborative Approach to Combating Sexual Misconduct

Rooted in our Catholic mission and our belief in the inherent dignity of every person, we strive to promote the safety and well-being of every member of the Notre Dame community. This page describes our holistic approach to combating sexual misconduct, spanning PREVENTION, REPORTING, RESPONSE and SUPPORT. We encourage all members of our community to report any instance of harm or misconduct.

Prevention

Notre Dame educates the campus community on consent, bystander intervention, and cultural norms. Through initiatives like the Committee on Sexual Assault Prevention and peer education, violence prevention is a shared responsibility. This approach empowers individuals to take action, reflecting a culture rooted in human dignity. Read more about the preventative education efforts of our Prevention, Outreach, Education, and Training (POET) team.

Reporting

Individuals can report misconduct in multiple ways, including the Speak Up Portal, the Office of Institutional Equity, and Notre Dame Police Department. Whether through confidential disclosures or mandatory reports, the University emphasizes impartiality and care, working to protect privacy and prohibiting retaliation while ensuring every voice is heard.

Response

Upon receiving a report of sexual misconduct, trained teams provide safety and supportive measures. Staff explain resolution options, such as formal investigations or alternative resolutions, coordinating with outside law enforcement when appropriate. All inquiries are conducted with impartiality and care for the wellbeing of those involved.

Support

Notre Dame offers a holistic network of resources on and off campus to provide emotional, spiritual, academic, and medical assistance. These services ensure those affected members of our community have access to necessary care, focusing on healing and resilience in a supportive community.

Immediate/Emergency Information

To report incidents or discuss concerns of sexual misconduct with University staff, please contact:

If you have experienced sexual assault or interpersonal violence involving physical contact, the most important thing you can do is get to a safe place. If you believe you or anyone else is in immediate danger, call 911 as soon as possible. Then, follow these steps:

  1. Preserve evidence by avoiding washing, brushing your teeth, changing clothes, etc.
  2. Call someone for support.
  3. Seek immediate medical attention.

Review additional information

Support Options

Printable Summary of All Available Support Options

Confidential Resources

The following resources will honor confidentiality unless there is an imminent danger to the individual or others.

Counseling

University Counseling Center: 574-631-7336

Students may receive safe, specialized, confidential support from the University Counseling Center (UCC). Current students may seek counseling at any time, even years after the incident. During normal office hours, stop by the third floor of Saint Liam Hall or call the UCC (574-631-7336) and ask to speak to a counselor. Please indicate that you are experiencing a crisis. After office hours, when the UCC is closed, call the UCC (574-631-7336) and follow the voicemail instructions to reach the on-call counselor. The UCC after-hours counseling service is staffed by licensed counselors who can provide immediate assistance by phone regarding a variety of issues that require on-the-spot help, crisis intervention, or consultation. They will help facilitate a transition to UCC services as needed. Crisis Services are available 24/7 except during the week that the University is closed over the winter break.

Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County and S-O-S Rape Crisis Hotline: 574-289-4357

The Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County (fjcsjc.org) is a collaboration of civil, legal, medical, and social services which supports individuals affected by relationship violence and sexual assault. The Family Justice Center, located at 533 North Niles Avenue in South Bend, can be reached by calling 574-234-6900.

One service of the Family Justice Center is S-O-S, the rape-crisis center for St. Joseph County. S-O-S is staffed by trained professionals and volunteer advocates who are available 24 hours a day. The staff can provide confidential counseling and recovery services, as well as support and information about communication with the police, family and friends. S-O-S Volunteer Advocates provide emotional support and information on the phone and in person at area hospital Emergency Departments around the clock. Specially trained professionals offer confidential counseling, group therapy, information, and referrals. The S-O-S Advocate acts as a liaison between the student and the legal process, and can accompany them to court, if desired. The 24-hour telephone number for the Rape Crisis Center is 574-289-4357.

RAINN (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network): 800-656-4673

The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) (rainn.org) is an anti-sexual violence organization that partners with more than 1,100 local rape crisis centers across the country. Among its programs, RAINN has two resources available globally: (1) the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline, a secure web-based hotline that provides live and confidential help through an interface similar to instant messaging; and (2) the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE), which provides free, confidential services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Medical

It is especially important for those who have been sexually assaulted or subjected to sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and/or conduct that creates a hostile environment that involves physical contact to seek immediate and appropriate medical treatment. Such treatment is also important to preserve evidence as it may be necessary to the proof of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and/or conduct that creates a hostile environment in the event that the student later files criminal charges, or seeks to obtain an order of protection.

The two hospitals in the South Bend area are St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and Memorial Hospital. While both hospitals offer emergency care and evidence collection, St. Joseph has a specially trained sexual assault team available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Under Indiana law, the tests and procedures at the hospitals are free of charge if treatment is sought within 120 hours of the assault. The evidence gathered in this examination will be maintained by the hospital and will not be provided to the police unless the individual reports the assault to the police. Any decision about whether or not to talk to the police is up to the individual.

University Health Services: 574-631-7497

Students may visit University Health Services, which is equipped to provide confidential and professional medical care to students between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. University Health Services can be reached in Saint Liam Hall at 574-631-7497. While the University Health Services staff are unable to perform procedures related to the collection of evidence for the purposes of pursuing criminal prosecution, they can provide medical care including wound care, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and referral and transportation to a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.

Notre Dame Wellness Center: 574-634-9355

Staff and Faculty may visit Notre Dame Wellness Center to receive care from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Learn more about the services offered at the Wellness Center by visiting notredamewellnesscenter.com.

Pastoral

Vowed Religious Staff in Campus Ministry: 574-631-7800

Vowed religious (priests, deacons, and religious sisters and brothers) working within Campus Ministry and who are operating in that role are confidential resources. These individuals will honor confidentiality unless there is an imminent danger to the individual or others. In addition, an individual's disclosure during the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) will not be revealed by the priest for any reason, which is a sacred obligation protected by law. Campus Ministry can be reached at 574-631-7800 or at ministry@nd.edu.

Lay ministers working within Campus Ministry are considered non-confidential (reporting) resources.

Non-Confidential Resources

Sharing information with the following resources will result in a staff member from OIE reaching out to the impacted party(s).

University Administration

Office of Institutional Equity: 574-631-0444 or equity@nd.edu

The Office of Insitutional Equity (OIE) serves as the primary point of contact on campus for those seeking information or wanting to report sexual assault, fondling, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, other conduct that creates a sexually hostile environment, other sex-based misconduct, and/or discriminatory harassment. OIE staff is available to connect individuals with resources and support and to discuss supportive measures and resolution processes available. Contact OIE at 574-631-0444 or equity@nd.edu. Note that, absent certain circumstances, OIE will not initiate an investigation absent the impacted individual's request.

Residence Hall Staff (Rector, Assistant Rector, or Resident Assistant)

Residence hall staff are trained to assist students with a variety of issues. Please know that information shared with residence hall staff regarding alleged sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, discriminatory harassment, other sex-based misconduct, and other conduct that creates a hostile environment will be reported to OIE.

Care and Wellness Consultants

Care and Wellness Consultants (CWCs) are available to assist students in identifying strategies and resources to address academic, social, physical, mental, financial, or spiritual concerns. Identify your CWC and request an initial meeting by visiting supportandcare.nd.edu. Please know that information shared with CWCs regarding alleged sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, discriminatory harassment, other sex-based misconduct, and other conduct that creates a hostile environment will be reported to OIE.

Faculty, Administrators, and Supervisors

Faculty (including college deans, department chairs and professors) and other University administrators and staff are available to discuss concerns. Please know that information shared with non-confidential faculty and staff regarding alleged sexual harassment, other sex-based misconduct, or discriminatory harassment will be reported to the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE).

Additionally, when undergraduate or graduate students are employed by the University and functioning in their capacity as University employees, they are considered non-confidential resources. This means that student employees (including graduate students and who are paid by or receive a stipend from the University), must share any information regarding an incident of sexual harassment, other sex-based misconduct, or discriminatory harassment with OIE.

Notre Dame Human Resources

People Strategy Partners within Notre Dame Human Resources (NDHR) are trained to assist staff and faculty members with a variety of concerns. Please know that information shared with NDHR staff regarding alleged sexual harassment, other sex-based misconduct, or discriminatory harassment will be reported to OIE. Contact NDHR through the Self Service Center.

Notre Dame Police Department: 574-631-5555 or 911

Notre Dame Police Department (NDPD) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If an incident occurrs on Notre Dame property, NDPD, a duly authorized police agency in the state of Indiana, is an appropriate agency with which to file a report. Off-campus incidents will likely fall in the jurisdiction of the South Bend, St. Joseph County, or Mishawaka police departments. NDPD can assist with contacting the appropriate local agency. Individuals are encouraged to notify NDPD or other law enforcement authorities but are not required to do so. Sharing information with a police agency will also result in a report by NDPD to the Office of Institutional Equity.

Off-Campus Resources

AllOne Employee Assistance Program: 800-437-0911, Access Code: KXM67

Benefit-eligible staff, faculty, and family members have access to the AllOne Employee Assistance Program which provides cost-free diagnosis and referral services. AllOne counselors may be contacted at 800-437-0911, 24 hours per day/7 days per week.

South Bend Police Department

The South Bend Police Department can be contacted for off-campus emergencies.