SHAPE
What is the SHAPE Program?
The Sexual Harm and Accountability Psychoeducation (SHAPE) Program is a research-informed education program designed for college students who have engaged in and/or been accused of unhealthy or harmful sexual behavior.
Students who enroll in the program learn and build skills for healthy and consensual interactions as an opportunity to improve relationships going forward. The program consists of a series of individual meetings with an OPEN staff member and is tailored to address specific educational needs.
Who is the program for?
The SHAPE Program is designed for college students who have engaged in and/or been accused of unhealthy or harmful sexual behavior.
This includes students who:
- Have been found responsible under Northeastern’s Policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Title IX
- Are engaging in an informal resolution process with the Office of University Equity and Compliance (OUEC)
- Have been referred by friends, peers, or student organizations
- Self-enroll into the program
What topics does the program cover?
The SHAPE program helps students reflect on their experiences, understand the impact of their actions, and strengthen their ability to navigate sex and relationships moving forward. Some of the topic areas that are included in a program are:
- Consent
- what it means, how it’s communicated, and skills for practicing it
- Substance Use
- how alcohol or other drugs can affect decision-making and consent
- Beliefs, Roles, Peers, and Context
- how internal beliefs, social roles, peers, and environments shape our actions in relationships or sexual situations
- Impact & Accountability
- reflecting on the effect of our choices and exploring how to move forward
Are SHAPE meetings confidential?
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).
How can I request enrollment in the program?
To request enrollment in the SHAPE Program, please complete this program request form. You will need to log in with your Northeastern credentials.
Email open@northeastern.edu with any additional questions about the SHAPE Program. OPEN staff monitor SHAPE program requests and email Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM ET, and will reply to requests as soon as possible.
Staff
While you can request which staff member you would like to meet with, we cannot guarantee their availability.
General FAQs
How long does the program take to complete?
On average the program can be completed within a semester. The variation is due to breaks in the semester and scheduling availability. The education is delivered in a series of virtual 1:1 meetings that last approximately 60 minutes.
What are examples of behaviors that SHAPE may be able to address?
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.
If someone is seeking support or education around a topic that falls outside the scope of the program, we recommend connecting to OPEN’s Confidential Resource Advising Services who can support you in finding a provider.
How was the program developed?
The SHAPE program was developed by members of the OPEN team. It was inspired by the Science-based Treatment, Accountability, and Risk Reduction for Sexual Assault (STARRSA) Active Psychoeducation (AP) Manual (Prentky et al, 2018) and corresponding training facilitated by Klancy Street, LLC. For additional information, see: www.klancystreet.com/starrsa.
Additionally, the program draws on concepts and tools from Allies in Change and Motivational Interviewing. It is informed by research on risk and protective factors and the risk-needs-responsivity model to address sexual violence.
Why might I refer a peer or friend to the program?
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.
FAQs for Complainants/Affected Parties
This section of FAQs was created from questions often received from Complainants/Affected Parties engaging in Northeastern’s processes. The University defines a Complainant as “an individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute a Prohibited Offense that is reported to the university.” Please visit the Office for University Equity and Compliance website for more information on policies and definitions.
Would a respondent be required to participate in the SHAPE Program?
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.
Why might I consider requesting SHAPE as part of an informal resolution agreement?
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.
What else might be helpful to know if I am considering requesting SHAPE through an OUEC informal resolution process?
- 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 can make recommendations for other educational options as available.
Where can I learn more about informal process options and/or the SHAPE Program?
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.
FAQs for Students who Enroll
This section of FAQs was created from questions often received from students who request enrollment in the program. This includes students who self-enroll, those who are peer-referred, and Respondents/Charged Students engaging in Northeastern’s processes.
The University defines a Respondent as “an individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute a Prohibited Offense that is reported to the university.” Please visit the Office for University Equity and Compliance website for more information on policies and definitions.
Why might I consider enrolling in the program?
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.
Can I learn more about the program before I agree to participate through an informal process or self-enrollment?
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.
What have students who have enrolled said about 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.