Sexual assaults happen when a perpetrator makes a choice to exert power and control over another person. Perpetrators, not survivors, are responsible for sexual assaults. Only a perpetrator can prevent a sexual assault, but all of us can take steps to reduce the risk of being assaulted. Remember that you are much more likely to be assaulted by someone you know than by a stranger.
If you need help or are confused about what happened to you please call The Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response at (617)495-9100.
If you are in immediate danger, please call Harvard University Police Department at (617)495-1212.
Safety at Parties
The buddy system - go to the party with your friends, leave with your friends.
Drink in moderation.
Do not accept drinks from previously opened containers and don't put your drink down or lose track of it (to reduce the risk of being drugged).
Talk to your friends about your plans for the night including how much you plan to drink, how far you want to go sexually and possibly creating a secret "help" signal to let your friends know if you don't want to be talking to/dancing with someone.
Communication: Talk to your partner about what you want and do not want in your sexual relationship. Making sure your partner verbally consents to all aspects of the sexual encounter. When in doubt, ask!
Safety When Traveling
In Cambridge and Allston:
Shuttle Bus (617) 495-0400 The shuttle bus is designed to provide students and staff with safe and convenient transportation around the Cambridge and Allston campuses throughout the academic year, except during recesses. The service is free to members of the Harvard community. Scheduled service runs weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Pocket schedules are available throughout the campuses, including the Information Center located in the Holyoke Center arcade, house offices, libraries, and dining halls, as well as in each vehicle.
There is also a special year-round service operating daily between Soldiers Field Park and Johnston Gate mornings from 7:35 a.m. to 10:05 a.m. and afternoons from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This bus allows for daily connections to the Longwood Medical Area. You can also view the shuttle bus schedule by visiting www.uos.harvard.edu/transportation/shu.shtml.
Shuttle Van Service (617) 495-0400 , TTY# (617) 496-6642 The Shuttle Van Service is intended for people who, because of mobility impairment or medical condition, find it difficult or impossible to use the regular shuttle bus. Transportation is door to door within the Cambridge and Allston campuses. Rides in the van, which are by appointment only, must be authorized in advance.
Evening Shuttle Van Service (49) 5-0400 The Evening Shuttle Van Service is designed to provide transportation throughout the Cambridge and Allston campuses as a supplement to the shuttle bus. Rides are free and available on request between 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Calls are taken until 2:30 a.m. Please call ahead as you may have to wait as long as a half-hour.
Harvard University Campus Escort Program (HUCEP) (617) 384-8237 HUCEP teams, who are trained and supervised by the HUPD, provide walking escorts to students, faculty and staff seven nights a week during the academic year and cover the Yard, River, and Quad areas. Teams are identified by their brightly colored vests, labeled HUCEP. Escorts respond to calls for service through the HUCEP hotline, and can be flagged down by students, faculty, and staff in need of an escort. Escort teams also are encouraged to ask solo walkers if they would like an escort to their destination.
The hours of operation for HUCEP are: Sunday through Wednesday 10:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. , and Thursday through Saturday 10:30 p.m. - 3:00 a.m. ,
In Longwood:
Walking Escort Service (617) 432-1379 The walking escort service is available 24 hours a day. When you call, a security guard will escort you to your vehicle on campus or to the nearest MBTA stop. Please call ahead as it may take as long as fifteen minutes for your escort to arrive. Please wait for your escort once you have called.
Free Taxi Escort Service Taxi escort service is available from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. , seven days a week for students, faculty and staff. The service is free: you need only to show your photo ID badge or green temporary ID. The taxi escort is arranged through the security guard stationed inside Vanderbilt Hall and FXB (HSPH) lobby. Taxis will take you within one mile of the Longwood Campus.
Shuttle Bus (617) 632-2800 The Harvard Longwood Campus shuttle (M2) is managed by MASCO and operated by Paul Revere Transportation Company. The service runs between Vanderbilt Hall and the Johnston Gate, Monday through Saturday. University faculty and staff, undergraduate students, and Harvard Longwood Campus students ride free by swiping a valid HU, HMS, HSPH, HSDM, and DMS ID on entering the bus. All others, including Cambridge-based Harvard University graduate students must either purchase tickets at the M2 ticket offices or add value to their Crimson Cash account at the Crimson Cash website at www.cash.harvard.edu.
Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable about someone near you, head for a populated area.
Remain alert and aware at all times. Do not wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while walking as you may not be aware of what is happening around you..
Be careful when people stop you for directions or money. Always reply from a distance and never get too close to the car or the person.
If you suspect you are being followed, stay away from dimly lit areas and head for a store or building that you know to be open.
If you are out after dark, use only well-lit routes.
Make use of shuttle buses, escort van, and HUCEP.
Travel in groups when possible.
Look confident when you walk. Make eye contact with passersby, and keep a firm grip on your property.
Walk near the curb and avoid passing close to shrubs, dark doorways, and other hiding places.
Carry your keys in your hand so you can quickly get in your car or home.
Always carry a cell phone or enough change for a pay phone. If you suspect trouble, leave the area immediately and call the police.
Designated Pathways and "Blue Light" Emergency Phones
The University has created four Designated Pathways that cover the main walking routes throughout the Cambridge campus. The routes cover traveling from the Quad to the Yard, from the Science Center to Harvard Square, from the Science Center to the Prescott Street dormitories, and from Mather and Dunster Houses to the Yard. These routes tend to be better lit and more widely traveled than alternative routes. Additionally, each pathway has several blue light emergency phones located along the route. Whenever possible, students, faculty, and staff should not walk alone after dark and should use the designated pathways. For a map of the designated pathways and the locations of their blue light emergency phones, please visit www.hupd.harvard.edu/designated_safety_pathways.pdf.
Safety in Your Residence
Always keep your doors and windows locked.
Let a friend or roommate know where and with whom you'll be out, and when you will be returning.
Determine who is outside your door before you open it.
Never allow anyone you do not know to enter the building.
Never invite a person whom you have met on the street, in a bar, or in another public place back to your room.
Lock your door, even if you are just going down the hall for a minute.
Record serial numbers and keep photos or descriptions of your valuables.
Harassing Phone Calls
If you receive a call from a stranger, ask who is calling and the number the person is trying to reach. Do not give out your number or name to the caller or any personal information.
Hang up immediately if a caller does not respond when you answer, or if the caller begins to use obscene language. Do not slam the receiver down, yell at the caller, or otherwise indicate that you are annoyed. Just hang up.
Don't talk if the same caller phones again. Remember that all the caller wants is an audience. Don't give the satisfaction of responding.
Call the HUPD at (617) 495-1212 to report annoying or obscene calls, particularly if you are threatened over the phone.
Partial content adapted from Harvard University Police Department Website: www.hupd.harvard.edu/
