It can be very distressing if you have been accused of discrimination, bullying, harassment, or sexual misconduct. It’s important to be aware that the University will not make assumptions and will not consider a person ‘at fault’ until an allegation has been investigated.
All those involved in an alleged breach of a policy will be treated fairly and offered advice and support. It’s good practice to take time to reflect about the other person’s perception of your behaviour.
Even if you feel that your behaviour was well-intentioned, your words or actions may have hurt or offended another person, and this may be thought of as an opportunity for learning, or perhaps for a change of approach.
• Listen carefully to the allegation and to the particular concerns expressed
• Stop the behaviour that has been identified as problematic straight away; if you are deemed to have bullied or harassed somebody after their objection to your behaviour was made known to you, this will be seen as a more serious issue
• You are likely to need advice and support to understand the allegation: find a way to discuss the matter with someone you trust, such as a member of the Student Union or Student Support
• If you feel you are being unjustly accused, consider asking for mediation from a staff member. Supported informal discussions involving you, the person alleging ill-treatment, and a trained mediator may enable you to discuss the issues and find a way forward.
Will I know if I have been reported?
When a report is made about another student's behaviour, the report is initially reviewed by the Report Triage Team who conduct a risk assessment and then allocate it to an appropriate caseworker. This will be a Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) if the report details sexual misconduct.
If a student is named and identifiable from the report, a caseworker will reach out to the reported party to invite them into a confidential conversation. Depending on the content and severity of the allegation, this conversation may be a invitation to reflect on past behaviours, or advice on a particular policy or procedure such as the Disciplinary Procedure for Students. The reporting party's personal information will not be shared with the reported party.
Get Support
Students who are concerned about their behaviour can speak to a member of the Student Support Team . You can also refer to the Accused Student Services within the Office of Prevention and Education at Northeastern, who are based on the Boston campus but can meet virtually.