Resources for Accused Students

There are many on and off-campus resources available to students accused of sexual violence.  

A confidential OPEN staff member can support you in finding a resource to meet your needs. Connect with OPEN’s Confidential Resource Advising Services to schedule a meeting. 

Mental Health Support 

Northeastern Mental Health Resources

Northeastern offers a suite of mental health resources through Find@Northeastern. For more information, click here.

If you are currently on leave from the University, are graduating soon, or would prefer to not utilize University resources the Student Mental Health Guide explains how to connect to a provider by utilizing your insurance. 

Specialized Off Campus Providers 

There are community resources that provide education and support for students who have been accused of or found responsible for any form of sexual violence. Students choose to connect to an off-campus provider because: 

  • They want to talk to a clinician or others about their experience being accused. 
  • They want support in figuring out what led to the allegations of sexual, domestic, and/or dating violence and how you can work to prevent future harm
  • It is a request as part of an informal resolution agreement. 
  • It is required as part of formal sanctioning. 

It is important to note that this list is not extensive, and neither inclusion nor exclusion is a form of endorsement of a particular organization, service, or provider. 

Resources for Sexual Violence

Step 1: Finding a Provider

Here are two options to find a specialized provider: 

For students across the Global University System

You can go to the ATSA website referral form to find providers in your area. You would fill out the form with the following responses: 

  • Leave the “What are you looking for?” box blank 
  • Select the country you are in 
  • Select the city you are in 
  • Select “Yes” for accepting referrals 

If no providers appear in your selected city, you can clear the initial search and select another nearby city that is accessible to you or leave the city field blank.  

For students in North America

You can look at providers listed in the MATSA, MASOC, Safer Society Foundation directories.

Step 2: Connecting with a Selected Provider

Call the clinician(s) you feel you would connect best with. Here are some notes to consider when calling a clinician to see if they 

  • When you leave a message or talk to the provider, state your name and that you are a college student who is looking to connect to a provider that is  
    • familiar with the higher education campus context and, 
    • working with “non-adjudicated clients”. (“non-adjudicated clients” is terminology used by providers when someone is seeking services and is not mandated by the court system). 
  • Share what kind of insurance you have and ask if they accept it. If not, you should ask what the cost per session or program will be. 
  • Many times, providers do not answer their phone due to being in session during the day. In a voicemail include your call back number, a good time to call back, and spell out your e-mail address.  
  • If you haven’t set up your voicemail, this is a good time to do it, so that you don’t miss a call back. Most providers won’t email or text to set up an initial appointment. 
Resources for Domestic/Dating Violence

Emerge (For students across the Global University System): offers virtual educational groups about domestic violence.  Participants are asked to reflect on their behavior, patterns in relationships, and how their choices have harmed others. 

Helplines

Accessible in the US

What’s OK? : Provides free, confidential resources support around sexual behaviors, thoughts and interests. You can text, chat, call or email expert counselors for help. 

A Call for Change: is confidential, anonymous helpline for people anywhere in the world who want to stop using abuse and control in their intimate relationships. People who are unsure about their behavior can also call the Helpline.

Phone: 877-898-3411 | Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm ET, 7 days a week  

Accessible in the UK

Shore: Provides free, confidential resources support around sexual behaviors, thoughts and interests. You can chat or email expert counselors for help. 

The Respect Phoneline: is a confidential UK-based helpline, email and chat service for domestic abuse perpetrators and those supporting them. 

Phone:  0808 802 4040 |Hours: Monday–Friday 10:00am-5:00pm BST

Legal Support

Students may consider legal support if they: 

  • Have specific questions about what should or should not be shared during the University investigation process, 
  • Are interested in learning more about defamation claims, 
  • Are engaging in a criminal process, 
  • Want an advisor in the process who is not a family member, peer, or member of the University, 
  • Want someone trained to support a university cross-examination process.  

Additional considerations when seeking legal support are costs, a lawyer’s expertise/familiarity with university processes, and what support a lawyer can provide versus what the University can provide. If you have questions about these considerations or about legal support in general, we encourage you to connect with OPEN’s Confidential Resource Advising Services.  

Virtual Library

Some students have asked for books to process and understand what is happening and how to move forward. To respond to this, OPEN created a sexual violence virtual library that contains a collection of e-books on topics that may be of interest to students accused of sexual violence.