WHO DOES THE CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCE ADVISOR SUPPORT?

The Confidential Resource Advisor (CRA) serves as a confidential resource for members of the Northeastern University community who:

  • Are or have been accused of causing sexual or identity-based harm
  • Are currently in an investigation/adjudication process
  • Have been found responsible for causing harm

WHAT DOES THE CRA PROVIDE?

The Confidential Resource Advisor provides free, confidential*, non-judgmental, restorative and trauma-informed services. They will listen to your concerns, provide information about relevant university policies and resources, gather additional information if needed, help you evaluate your situation, and at your request and as appropriate, they may contact offices or departments to seek additional information for clarification to better understand the nature of the complaint or situation. They can also assist to facilitate interim remedies available (i.e., No-contact orders, housing changes, academic support) and provide on and off campus counseling and resources. 

The Confidential Resource Advisor will not tell you what you should or should not do; instead, they will provide information and resources for you to explore what next steps would best support you and/or your peer(s).

All Northeastern University community members have the right to access resources and services. Phone translation services are available in over 200 languages including ASL. The CRA will work to accommodate any other accessibility needs.  

WHAT DOES “CONFIDENTIAL” INCLUDE?

All OPEN staff members are considered Confidential Employees according to Northeastern University policy. This means that students who have concerns related to sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, or sexual harassment (Prohibited Offenses) can seek support without having their name or any identifying characteristics reported to the Title IX Coordinator or Office for University Equity and Compliance (OUEC). 

This means that any information disclosed to a Confidential Resource Advisor will not be reported to the Office for University Equity and Compliance (Title IX), the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, or any other campus office. Exemptions to this include:

  1. When they are given permission to share information by the person who disclosed it;
  2. When there is an imminent threat of harm to self or others;
  3. When the conduct involves suspected abuse of a minor under the age of 18 or of an elder;
  4. When otherwise required by law or court order.

Most faculty and staff are considered “responsible employees” meaning that they are obligated to notify the Title IX Coordinator if they are made aware of an incident of sexual violence.

In addition to OPEN, the Center for Spirituality Dialogue & Service (CSDS) and University Health & Counseling Services (UHCS) are designated as confidential and do not have this reporting obligation.

HOW TO ACCESS THE CRA?

Confidential Resource Advisor services (CRA) are accessible virtually through phone, email, and video calls. The best way to connect with a CRA is to fill out OPEN’s Sexual Violence Service Request Form.  The CRA is available Monday and Wednesday though Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm EST, and Tuesdays from 8:30am – 7:00pm EST, though meetings can occur outside those times to accommodate schedules. 

You can access a printable PDF of the information on this webpage here