MIT’s primary concern is for the health and safety of its community members. Individuals who believe they have experienced sexual harassment or misconduct should seek immediate assistance. There are two important designations for offices at MIT with regard to sharing experiences of sexual harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking: 1) confidential and 2) private. This designation is created to ensure that students are connected with resources and supports as quickly as possible.
If you are a student seeking support go to the student resource page.
Confidential Resources
These conversations are kept strictly confidential and, except in rare, extreme circumstances (including imminent risk of harm to self or others), nothing will be shared without your permission. The following MIT offices are confidential resources:
MIT Health
MIT Health serves the healthcare needs of the MIT community.
- Office line: 617-253-4481
- 24-hour line: 617-253-1311
- Urgent Mental Health Concerns: 617-253-2916
- E23
MyLife Services
MyLife Services provides MIT faculty, staff, postdocs – and their household members – 24/7 access to a network of experts who are available to help with life concerns. You’ll consult with Master’s and Ph.D.-level professionals who offer guidance, share resources, and provide referrals. All consultations are confidential and provided at no cost.
- 844-405-LIFE (844-405-5433)
- (TTY) 866-892-7162
- www.mitmylifeservices.com/contactus
Ombuds Office
The MIT Ombuds Office helps people express concerns, resolve disputes, manage conflicts, and learn more productive ways of communicating. The Ombuds Office serves as an independent, confidential, neutral and informal resource to the diverse MIT community. Ombuds may breach confidentiality if the Ombuds determines that there is imminent risk of serious harm.
- 617-253-5921
- 10-213
MIT Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life
The Chaplains at MIT, representing many of the world’s religions, serve both their own religious communities, as well as the MIT community at large. MIT Chaplains are available for counseling, private talks, and consultation.
617-253-7707
W11
https://studentlife.mit.edu/orsel
Employee Sexual Misconduct Confidential Resource
The Sexual Misconduct Confidential Resource Provider is only confidential for sexual misconduct concerns or experiences. If you’re looking for a confidential resource to discuss other issues, please consider one of the other confidential resources above.
- MIT Central HR has designated staff to serve as Sexual Conduct Confidential Resource Providers for employees. Lianne Shields serves as the liaison. You can reach her at lshields@mit.edu.
Sexual Misconduct Resource Providers assist with matters of sexual misconduct involving faculty, staff, and students, specifically for Section 9 of MIT’s Policies and Procedures covering: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Gender-Based Harassment, Title IX Sexual Harassment and Stalking; and Section II of MIT’s Mind & Hand Book covering: Harassment (based on gender, sex, sex-stereotyping, sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy), Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Misconduct, Stalking, and Title IX Sexual Harassment.
Private Resources
Offices designated as “private” will keep the conversation as confidential as possible, but information about incidents of sexual misconduct must be shared with the Institute Discrimination & Response Office so the Institute can take action if necessary for reasons of safety. However, the wishes of the person providing the information are given full consideration. You may speak with any of these resources about other forms of discrimination or discriminatory harassment and they do not have a duty to inform IDHR of what you have shared.
Institute Title IX Coordinator
Sarah Rankin
W31
617-324-7526
titleix@mit.edu
Ethicspoint Hotline
MIT has established an anonymous reporting hotline for whistleblower or other complaints about wrongdoing and violations of Institute policy. The reporting system is hosted and maintained by a third-party vendor called Ethicspoint. Anyone may use the hotline to report a concern about suspected wrongdoing in the MIT community.
MIT Police
The MIT Police Department is located in building W89. Exploratory conversations will be kept confidential to the extent possible. The MIT Police website includes a form for anonymous reporting of a sexual assault. Police reports, with identifying information redacted, may be available to the public upon request. MIT Police involvement is generally limited to complaints of harassment that are of potentially criminal nature, such as sexual assault.
- Emergency 24/7: 617-253-1212 or dial 100 from any MIT phone
- Non-Emergency: 617-253-2996
Human Resources Officers
MIT’s Human Resources Officers (HROs) have detailed knowledge of MIT’s HR policies and practices, and consult with employees, managers, HR professionals in the DLCs, and Directors of Administration and Finance. If you are an employee and have a question about any HR issue, please contact the Human Resources Officer for your area.
Lincoln Laboratory Resources
In addition to resources available through MIT campus, Lincoln Laboratory provides further supportive resources for employees.
External Resources
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC)
BARCC provides free, confidential support and services to survivors of sexual violence ages 12 and up and their families and friends.
617-492-7273 or 800-841-8371
24-hour hotline
The Network/LaRed
Hotline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and/or transgender (LGBQ/T) folks, as well as folks in SM/kink and polyamorous communities who are being abused or have been abused by a partner.
617-742-4911
Casa Myrna
Casa Myrna is Boston’s largest provider of domestic violence awareness efforts and of shelter and supportive services to survivors. Their comprehensive range of services, available in both Spanish and English, provide survivors with tools to recover from the trauma of abuse and begin to build sustainable self-sufficiency. They also run the MA statewide toll-free domestic violence hotline.
1-877-785-2020
Transition House
Transition House offers a wide range of housing resources, support services and prevention tools.
617-661-7203 (hotline)
617-868-1650 (office)
RAINN: National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline
Calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline gives you access to a range of free services including: confidential support from a trained staff member, support finding a local health facility that is trained to care for survivors of sexual assault and offers services like sexual assault forensic exams, someone to help you talk through what happened, local resources that can assist with your next steps toward healing and recovery, referrals for long term support in your area, information about the laws in your community, and basic information about medical concerns.
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Domestic Violence Hotline & Online Chat
Highly-trained advocates are available 24/7/365 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
1-800-799-7233
The Victim Rights Law Center
Free legal services for sexual assault survivors.
617-399-6720 x19
Anti-Defamation League
Report an anti-semetic, bias, or discriminatory incident online.
Additional resources in Massachusetts provided by the Jane Doe Inc.
Government Resources
The following government departments and agencies may provide additional resources for students and/or employees who have concerns of sexual misconduct or other forms of discrimination.
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights – Boston Office
5 Post Office Square – 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02109-3921
617-289-0111
OCR.Boston@ed.gov
Center for Changing our Campus Culture
Information and resources on how to respond to and prevent sexual violence on college and university campuses
U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women
145 N Street, NE, Suite 10W.121
Washington, D.C. 20530
202-307-6026
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
John F. Kennedy Building
475 Government Center
Boston, MA 02203
800-669-4000
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108-1696
617-994-6950
The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
One Ashburton Place, Room 601
Boston, MA 02108
Washington, D.C. 20530
617-994-6000