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Support & Resources

The University of Notre Dame provides a variety of services for students, faculty, and staff who have been affected by sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and conduct that creates a hostile environment. Additionally, off-campus resources are also available for the University community. 

For Students

Immediate Needs

If you have experienced sexual assault or interpersonal violence, the most important thing you can do is get to a safe place. If you believe you or anyone else is in immediate danger, call 911 as soon as possible.

Learn about what to do immediately after an incident

Need advice on helping a friend?

According to Notre Dame's 2016 climate survey results, many students seek support from other friends and family members. If you are approached by a friend seeking support, please review our How To Help A Friend Brochure.

Confidential Resources

The following resources will honor confidentiality unless there is an imminent danger to the individual or others.

Please read below for full details, or view our Understand Your Options reference sheet.

Medical Resources (confidential)

It is especially important for students who have been sexually assaulted or subjected to sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and/or conduct that creates a hostile environment that involves physical contact to seek immediate and appropriate medical treatment.  Such treatment is also important to preserve evidence as may be necessary to the proof of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and/or conduct that creates a hostile environment in the event that the student later files criminal charges, or seeks to obtain an order of protection. 

Students may visit University Health Services, which is open 24 hours a day during the academic year and is equipped to provide confidential and professional medical care to students.  University Health Services can be reached in Saint Liam Hall, 574-631-7497.  While the University Health Services staff are unable to perform procedures related to the collection of evidence for the purposes of pursuing criminal prosecution, they can provide medical care including wound care, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and referral and transportation to a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.

The two hospitals in the South Bend area are St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and Memorial Hospital.  While both hospitals offer emergency care and evidence collection, St. Joseph has a specially trained sexual assault team available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Under Indiana law, the tests and procedures at the hospitals are free of charge if treatment is sought within 120 hours of the assault.  The evidence gathered in this examination will be maintained by the hospital and will not be provided to the police unless the individual reports the assault to the police.  Any decision about whether or not to talk to the police is up to the individual.

Counseling Resources (confidential)

Students may receive specialized support from the University Counseling Center (UCC), which is staffed by trained professionals and counselors.  Current students may seek counseling at any time, even years after the incident.  The confidential services of the UCC are available to any student who may need support or assistance.  The UCC can be reached at 574-631-7336 (24 hours).  In addition, a Walk-In Crisis Service is available in Saint Liam Hall, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For further information, go to ucc.nd.edu.

The Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County (fjcsjc.org) is a collaboration of civil, legal, medical, and social services which supports individuals affected by relationship violence and sexual assault. The Family Justice Center can be reached by calling 574-234-6900 and their office is located at 533 North Niles Avenue in South Bend.  The Family Justice Center website is www.fjcsjc.org.

One service of the Family Justice Center is S-O-S, the rape-crisis center for St. Joseph County.  S-O-S is staffed by trained professionals and volunteer advocates who are available 24 hours a day. The staff can provide confidential counseling and recovery services, as well as support and information about communication with the police, family and friends.  S-O-S Volunteer Advocates provide emotional support and information on the phone and in person at area hospital Emergency Departments around the clock. Specially trained professionals offer confidential counseling, group therapy, information, and referrals. The S-O-S Advocate acts as a liaison between the student and the legal process, and can accompany them to court, if desired. The 24-hour telephone number for the Rape Crisis Center is 574-289-4357.

The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) (rainn.org) is an anti-sexual violence organization that partners with more than 1,100 local rape crisis centers across the country.  Among its programs, RAINN has two resources available globally: (1) the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline, a secure web-based hotline that provides live and confidential help through an interface similar to instant messaging; and (2) the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE), which provides free, confidential services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

Pastoral Resources (confidential)

Vowed religious (priests, deacons, and religious sisters and brothers) working within Campus Ministry and who are operating in that role are confidential resources.

These individuals will honor confidentiality unless there is an imminent danger to the student or to others. In addition, a student’s disclosure during the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) will not be revealed by the priest for any reason, which is a sacred obligation protected by law. Campus Ministry can be reached at 574-631-7800 or at ministry@nd.edu.

Lay ministers working within Campus Ministry are considered non-confidential (reporting) resources.  

For more information about resources, please visit the Committee on Sexual Assault Prevention.

Non-Confidential (Reporting) Resources

In addition to confidential resources, the University offers options for students to report issues and concerns. Sharing information with the following resources will result in an investigation. The nature and extent of an investigation will depend on the extent to which the University has enough information to reasonably determine key facts (e.g., time, date, location and names of parties involved in an alleged incident).

Deputy Title IX Coordinator (not a confidential resource)

Amber Monroe, the University's Manager of Student Title IX Services, serves as the primary point of contact on campus for students seeking information or wanting to report sexual harassment/sexual misconduct (including sexual assault), dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.  The Deputy Title IX Coordinator is available to meet with those who believe they have been victimized and can provide information as well as refer to sources of support. Contact Notre Dame's Deputy Title IX coordinator at 574-631-0444 or equity@nd.edu. Sharing information with the Deputy Title IX Coordinator will result in an investigation by the University. The nature and extent of an investigation will depend on the extent to which the University has enough information to reasonably determine key facts (e.g., time, date, location and names of parties involved in an alleged incident).

Law Enforcement (not a confidential resource)

NDSP is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 574-631-5555.  Students may also call 911 in an emergency. If the incident occurred on Notre Dame property, NDSP, a duly authorized police agency in the state of Indiana, is an appropriate agency with which to file a report. Off-campus incidents will likely fall in the jurisdiction of the South Bend, St. Joseph County or Mishawaka police departments. NDSP can assist with contacting the appropriate agency.  Students are encouraged to notify NDSP or other law enforcement authorities. However, students are not required to do so. Sharing information with a police agency will also result in an investigation by the University.

Residence Hall Staff (Rector, Assistant Rector, or Resident Assistant) (not confidential resources)

Residence hall staff are trained to assist students with a variety of issues. Please know that information shared with residence hall staff regarding alleged sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or conduct that creates a hostile environment will be reported to the University’s Deputy Title IX Coordinator to investigate  (see above).

Faculty and Administrators (not confidential resources)

Faculty (including college deans, department chairs and professors) and university administrators are available to discuss concerns. Please know that information shared with faculty and administrators regarding alleged sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or conduct that creates a hostile environment will be reported to the University’s Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator to investigate (see above).

Additionally, when graduate students or postdoctoral researchers at the University are functioning in the capacity as a University employee, they fall under the category of non-confidential resource. This means graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who are paid by or receive a stipend from the University, whether or not they directly teach, advise, or supervise students, must share any information regarding an incident of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or conduct that creates a hostile environment with the Title IX Coordinator for investigation and follow up.

For more information on how to help a student, please review our How To Help A Student Brochure.

For Faculty and Staff

The Office of Insitutional Equity provides resources and information for faculty and staff on where to turn for help. 

If you are a faculty or staff member in need of assistance, please refer to our Support Options Brochure.