SHAPE

On average the program will take about a semester to complete (3 months). This varies for each participant and is dependent on the topics being covered, breaks in the semester, and scheduling availability. The education is delivered in a series of virtual 1:1 meetings with a SHAPE Facilitator. Meetings typically last 60-75 minutes and at times, require students to complete pre-work for each session. 

SHAPE facilitators use various sources to create a tailored educational plan for each student.  This may include: an initial assessment meeting, a participant survey, summarized case information from OUEC or OSCCR, anonymous input from a complaint/affected party. 

A student may be ineligible if their needs fall outside the scope of the SHAPE Program. If a student is not eligible, the SHAPE facilitator will make recommendations for other educational options as available.

SHAPE may be able to address a range of unhealthy and harmful sexual behaviors such as language or beliefs around sex or sexual violence that are harmful, behaviors labeled as “creepy” or “overly affectionate” that make others uncomfortable, crossing sexual boundaries without someone’s consent, and concerns with the relationship between sex and substance use. 

The SHAPE Program was developed by members of the OPEN team and is based on the STARRSA (Science-based Treatment, Accountability, and Risk Reduction for Sexual Assault) Active Psychoeducation (AP)* program. Foundationally, both programs are evidence-informed and utilize research on risk and protective factors for sexual violence on college campuses and the risk-needs-responsivity model to address an individual’s educational needs. The goal of both programs is prevention and desistance of sexual violence on college campuses. Changes were made to account for the specific identities, needs, and requests from Northeastern community members. 

You may consider referring a friend or peer to SHAPE if you have observed or heard about them engaging in unhealthy or harmful sexual behaviors and want them to receive education to address them.  

Before you refer a friend or peer, we would highly recommend you connect with OPEN’s Community Consultation service to discuss options for referral. 

Yes, all OPEN programs and services are confidential. For more information on the scope of OPEN’s confidentiality and other confidential resources at Northeastern please visit this page.  

If the SHAPE Program is required as part of a sanction or informal resolution agreement, only your participation and completion of the program will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSSCR) or the Office for University Equity and Compliance (OUEC). 

SHAPE would only be required for respondents who are found responsible for a prohibited offense under our Title IX/SGBH Policy after engaging in a formal resolution process. If you are interested in learning more about the formal resolution process, you can reach out to the Office for University Equity and Compliance. 

SHAPE would be a resolution option to consider if you are interested in the respondent engaging in comprehensive and individualized education.  Often, we hear that students wish others would receive education about what happened, stop certain behaviors or act differently in the future. While this program cannot guarantee any outcomes, we are working to reduce the likelihood of repeated unhealthy or harmful behavior through education.

• The respondent must agree to participate in the SHAPE program.   

• The SHAPE program may be a good fit for some but not others. The SHAPE facilitator will determine whether the respondent is eligible and/or a good fit. If the person is not eligible, the SHAPE facilitator will make recommendations for other educational options as available.  See the FAQ about eligibility for more information. 

You can speak with an investigator from the OUEC about informal resolution process options. 

You can also meet with a staff member in OPEN’s Sexual Violence Resource Center to confidentially discuss this option and more. 

Yes, complainants/affected parties can provide input on topics to cover in the program for respondents. There is a short, anonymous survey that allows you to recommend educational topics for the respondent to engage in. In addition, you can choose to provide the SHAPE facilitator with the impact statement from your informal resolution agreement or your hearing if you have engaged in a formal resolution process. The Office for University Equity and Compliance (informal resolution process), or the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (formal resolution process) will provide information about how to give input.  

All input provided is reviewed by the SHAPE facilitator and considered when selecting the respondent’s curriculum.  OPEN’s Sexual Violence Resource Center Staff can support you in this process. 

You may consider enrolling in the program if you have been told or are concerned you have engaged in unhealthy or harmful sexual behaviors or want to learn more about healthy and consensual relationships in general. If you aren’t sure you want to enroll in this program, have more questions, or want to explore off campus options instead, it would be best to meet with OPEN’s Confidential Resource Advising Services. 

Yes, if you want to talk through what it means to enroll in the program, you can meet with a staff member in OPEN’s Confidential Resource Advising Services. 

The program’s first step is to meet with a SHAPE facilitator for an assessment meeting.  In a second feedback meeting, respondents will hear about the selected educational topics, expectations for engagement and the estimated completion time of the program based on the tailored curriculum.  From there, you can decide if you’d like to participate in the program. 

Students have shared that the program provides an opportunity for “intentional and personal” reflection, has been helpful in being able to “ask more questions” on topics such as consent, and to “not be scared, even though it feels daunting”. Students also say that they appreciate that the meetings are virtual as it feels easier to share more openly.