University and Community Resources
The Simmons University Violence Prevention and Educational Outreach Program works to educate and spread awareness around forms of gender-based violence (e.g. sex discrimination, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking etc.), to prevent the occurrence of violence on our campus or impacting our community, familiarizing community members with Simmons policy and protocol to address and respond to these issues if they arise, and to support and advocate for student survivors of violence.
If you have experienced sex discrimination, you have many options for accessing resources. Our team can assist with connecting you to the appropriate resources. Learn more about resources available to you below and by clicking on the Simmons Services and Resources for Survivors (BARCC), Simmons Services and Resources for Survivors (RESPOND), and/or Beyond Simmons Beyond Simmons Resources List.
Immediate/Emergency Resources (Safety and Well-Being)
If you have experienced sex discrimination and need emergency assistance, we encourage you to seek immediate assistance from a medical provider and/or law enforcement. This is the best option to ensure preservation of evidence and to begin a timely investigative and remedial response.
The University will assist any Simmons community member to get to a safe place and will provide transportation to the hospital, coordination with law enforcement, and information about the University's resources and complaint process.
Public Safety or Law Enforcement
Assistance is available from Public Safety 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Simmons University Public Safety
617-521-1111 (emergency)
617-521-1112 (non-emergency)
1 Palace Road, Suite B-104, Boston, MA 02115
Most Simmons Police Officers are certified sexual assault investigators. They can also connect with you other medical resources in the area.
Boston Police or your local Police Department
Calling 911 will connect you to your local Police Department, and you can ask for the Sexual Assault Division.
The Boston Police Department Sexual Assault Division 24-hour hotline is 617-343-4400.
Medical Resources
Simmons Health Services
617-521-1002
94 Pilgrim Rd. Available during regular business hours.
Simmons Counseling Services
617-521- 2455
1 Palace Rd., Suite B-308. Available during regular business hours.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Emergency Room
617-754-2450. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
1 Deaconess Rd, Boston, MA 02215
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner)-certified site. SANE-certified nurses are specifically trained to perform exams and collect forensic evidence from sexual assault survivors. Simmons' Public Safety may be able to assist with transportation to BIDMC.
Confidential Resources
There are places both at Simmons and in the greater community where individuals can receive completely confidential assistance from professionals who have a legal duty to maintain and protect information shared with them on a confidential basis. These professionals are mandated by law to keep individuals’ disclosures confidential so long as the discussion happens while the professional is acting in that confidential/protected role.
For students, these professionals include:
- Director of Counseling Center and Counseling Center Staff, 617-521-2455
- Director of Health Promotion and Wellness & Chief Wellness Officer and Health Center Staff, 617-521-1020
In addition, Simmons has designated Matoaka Kipp, Director of the REEF Support Center ([email protected]), and Beth Grampetro, Associate Dean, Chief Wellness Officer ([email protected]), as Simmons' Confidential Resource Persons. Matoaka and Beth each serve as a confidential resource for individuals who have experienced sexual harassment and need support and/or access to resources.
Faculty and staff may access confidential assistance through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a 24-hour a day service, offered 7 days a week, – AllOne Health (1-800-451-1834).
Note: There are a few limited circumstances where even confidential resources are legally-mandated to report information. These may include cases involving abuse of minors, persons with disabilities, or the elderly; when required to provide testimony in response to a subpoena or court order; or where an individual is at risk of imminent harm to self or others.
Community Resources
The physical well-being and safety of students, faculty, and staff is important to us. Additional community resources offer support to those who experience sex discrimination and can provide crisis intervention services, counseling, medical attention, and assistance in interfacing with the criminal justice system. All individuals are encouraged to use the resources that are best suited to their needs, whether on- or off-campus.