Support, help and resources

For survivors, victims and persons accused of sexual violence or other forms of sex discrimination and sex-based harassment.

Support is available when you need it.

Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment — as well as a range of benefits, programs and activities — that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation. To ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, and to affirm our commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all educational programs and activities, the College has developed internal policies and procedures to provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of sex discrimination, sex-based harassment or retaliation.

It does not matter when the incident occurred.

The trauma caused by sex discrimination or sex-based harassment or the allegations of these incidents can have far-reaching and ongoing effects on a person’s academic, work and social life. Students and employees of and visitors to Mount Holyoke who have experienced sex discrimination or sex-based harassment at any point during their time here can reach out to the Title IX Coordinator.

It does not matter where the incident occurred.

The College will respond to all reports of sex discrimination or sex-based harassment. This includes reports of incidents that occurred on the College grounds and those that occurred off-campus and involved the conduct of faculty, staff or students while engaged in College-related programs or activities.

It does not matter who engaged in the prohibited conduct.

The College understands that sex discrimination or sex-based harassment can occur in all types of relationships and are acts of power and control. All students and employees — regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship or genetic information — are encouraged to report instances of sex discrimination or sex-based harassment. College representatives will meet with all individuals involved, explain reporting options, offer support resources and — if the reporting individual wishes — help them develop a plan.

You do not need to make a complaint to seek services.

For those who wish to access support services and resources without initiating a resolution or criminal process, the College provides options for confidential and anonymous reporting. We have two confidential reporting locations: Health Services and Counseling Service. You can also make anonymous reports online at https://mtholyoke.edu/go/ReportIncident.

It is OK to be unsure.

It can take time to process an incident and decide which support services you need, whom you want to inform and whether you wish to make an official complaint.

To preserve your ability to use either the campus resolution process or start criminal proceedings, the College encourages you to keep any evidence related to the event, including forensic evidence collected by a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE), text messages, voicemails and photos.

Prohibited contact - a blue hand in a stop position in the center of a gray circle

The following behaviors are prohibited under the College’s Sex Discrimination and Sex- Based Harassment Policy:

  • Sex discrimination.
  • Sex-based harassment.
  • Sexual assault.
  • Relationship violence.
  • Retaliation.
  • Peer retaliation.
  • Sexual misconduct.
  • Stalking.

For detailed descriptions and a complete list of prohibited behaviors, see the full policy at mtholyoke.edu/sexdiscrimination.

Confidential - a file and a lock in white in the center of a yellow circle

In an effort to fulfill the security reporting requirements of the Clery Act, the offices below, which serve as confidential reporting locations, provide anonymous data to Mount Holyoke’s Title IX Coordinator. These offices will never reveal any identifiable information to the Title IX Coordinator without the written consent of the individual.

Counseling Service

413-538-2037

For urgent mental health needs

24/7 crisis line: 413-538-2037

A clinician can:

  • Offer crisis intervention and brief therapy to assist students in recovering from trauma.
  • Provide medication to help with sleep or curb anxiety symptoms as needed.
  • Provide a referral for longer term or specialty care.

Employee Assistance Program

This service provides 24-hour free support services for all Mount Holyoke employees.

Visit supportlinc.com

(To create an account, use the code “mhc.”)

Health Services

413-538-2121

A medical provider can:

  • Connect a student with a SANE program for forensic evidence collection and medical care, even if a decision regarding prosecution has not been made.
  • Share on- and off-campus support resources.
  • Provide confidential on-campus medical care related to physical or sexual assault when medically appropriate, including:
    • Evaluation and care of injuries.
    • Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
    • Provision of emergency contraception — if within 120 hours of the assault.
    • Prescription of HIV prevention medication — if within 72 hours of exposure.
    • Evaluation for substances used in drug-facilitated sexual assault.
    • Assistance with managing associated sleep difficulty or anxiety.

The College strongly recommends prompt reporting of any conduct that may violate our Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment Policy. Individuals may report prohibited conduct to local law enforcement, the College or both. There is no statute of limitations on reporting; regardless of when the incident occurred, individuals are encouraged to make a report and seek any necessary help from campus or community services.

Reporting to the college - a three column building in the center of a blue circle

All members of the Mount Holyoke community are encouraged to immediately report potential violations of our Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment Policy to the Title IX Coordinator.

By meeting with the Title IX Coordinator, you can:

  • Learn about your options for filing a report with the College, law enforcement or another institution, including your rights under each process.
  • Discuss your immediate safety and medical needs and evidence preservation as required.
  • Discuss any interim measures you might need and ask any questions you might have before choosing to disclose information or file a complaint.

Contact the Title IX Coordinator:

Shannon Lynch (she/her)
Title IX Coordinator and Assistant Vice President of Compliance
1 Skinner Hall
titleixcoordinator@mtholyoke.edu

Anonymous - a gray female figure with a yellow question mark in the center of a yellow circle

The College recognizes that some community members or survivors may wish to remain anonymous. These individuals can file a report online at mtholyoke.edu/go/ReportIncident, which gives them the option to include their contact information or remain anonymous. Anonymous reporting can help the College monitor the campus climate and inform its training, program planning and policy development. However, it can be difficult for the College to follow up on an incident that is reported anonymously.

Reporting to law enforcement - a shield with a star in the middle of a yellow circle

Mount Holyoke encourages all members of the College community, as well as guests and visitors, to report incidents of sex discrimination or sex-based harassment to law enforcement when they may also constitute a crime under the law of the jurisdiction of which they occurred. Individuals who choose to notify law enforcement may do so directly, via the Title IX Coordinator or through the Mount Holyoke Public Safety and Service department.

Public Safety and Service
413-538-2304 or 1-911
Staff are on campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can arrange for a SANE exam.

Note: Public Safety personnel are employees of the College. Information about any report, including personally identifiable information, will be shared with the Title IX Coordinator. Filing a police report does not obligate an individual to participate in criminal or campus proceedings.

South Hadley Police
413-538-8231 or 911 in South Hadley

Mandated reporters - Hands open with a heart in the center of a blue circle

Under College policy, all faculty, staff, administrators and student employees who are not employed by a confidential reporting location are considered mandated reporters. These individuals must promptly report to the Title IX Coordinator whenever they receive information directly from a complainant or another individual — or when they observe or obtain information that could reasonably raise concerns that sex discrimination or sex-based harassment may have occurred. Students who prefer to speak with a mandated reporter first may do so, knowing that the information will be passed on to the Title IX Coordinator.

Staff are on call 24 hours a day during the academic year for immediate crisis intervention. As mandated reporters, staff will share information with the Title IX Coordinator. A staff member can discuss immediate interim safety measures, including:

  • A no-contact order — if the incident involves another Mount Holyoke student.
  • A temporary housing reassignment.
  • Referrals to emergency medical services and law enforcement as necessary.

Center for Women and Community

Office: 413-545-0883
Hotline: 413-545-0800
TTY: 413-577-0940 
(MassRelay: 711)
The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Safeplan: Hampden County

Alianza
PO Box 1099
Holyoke, MA 01041
Hotline: 413-536-1628

Safeplan: Hampshire County

YWCA of Western Mass.,
Inc 1 Clough Street
Springfield, MA 01118
Hotline: 800-796-8711
TTY: 413-733-7100

Safe Passage

76 Carlon Drive
Northampton, MA 01060
Office: 413-586-1125
Hotline: 413-586-5066
TTY/TTD: 888-345-5282
General email: info@safepass.org

When incidents of sex discrimination or sex-based harassment are about to occur or are taking place, bystander intervention can be crucial for the safety of our community. Some positive ways to intervene may include:

  • Providing a distraction that interrupts the interaction.
  • Directly engaging one or more of the parties involved.
  • Asking another individual to assist in getting help.
  • Reminding friends and others that incapacitated people can’t give consent.
  • Providing resources and offering to help an alleged victim get to a campus administrator.

What else can you do to help?

  • Take care of your friends.
  • Respect yourself and your body. Respect others and their bodies. Remember, you are not entitled to another’s body.
  • Drink responsibly. Know your limits. Assist others who may be in need.
  • Offer support to any friend who discloses an experience to you.