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Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention

See Rush’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Harassment to learn more about survivor reporting options and resources.

Sexual Harassment Survivor Rights and Options

Right to Report

If you are a survivor, witness, bystander or third-party to Sexual Harassment, including Sex-Based Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking, you have the right to choose whether to report the Sexual Harassment to Rush, law enforcement, or Confidential Resources, individually or simultaneously.

If you are a witness, bystander, or third-party to Sexual Harassment, the information shared by Rush after your initial report will be limited due to privacy considerations.

 

Right to Receive Protection and Assistance Notifying Law Enforcement

Survivors have the right to request and receive assistance from Rush authorities in notifying law enforcement.

Request assistance from Rush University by contacting the following:

Nancee Hofheimer, JD
Title IX Officer
nancee_b_hofheimer@rush.edu

Catherine C. Howlett, JD
Deputy Title IX Officer
catherine_c_howlett@rush.edu 

Security Department
(312) 942-5678
From campus phone: 2-5678

Chicago Police Department
12th District Police Department
1412 S. Blue Island
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 746-8396
CAPS012District@chicagopolice.org

 

Assistance Accessing and Navigating Health Services

Survivors have the right to request and receive assistance from Rush authorities in accessing and navigating campus and local health and mental health services, counseling services, and advocacy services.

Request assistance by contacting the following:

Nancee Hofheimer, JD
Title IX Officer
nancee_b_hofheimer@rush.edu

Catherine C. Howlett, JD
Deputy Title IX Officer
catherine_c_howlett@rush.edu 

Division of Student Affairs, Rush University
(312) 942-2819
student_affairs@rush.edu

Rush Center for Clinical Wellness
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Schedule an appointment (Rush login required)

 

Requesting Protective Measures and Accommodations

Survivors have the right to request interim protective measures and accommodations, including, without limitation:

  • Changes to academic, living, dining, working and transportation situation
  • Obtaining and enforcing campus issued order of protection or no contact order
  • Obtaining and enforcing state court issued order of protection or no contact order

Request assistance by contacting the following:

Nancee Hofheimer, JD
Title IX Officer
nancee_b_hofheimer@rush.edu

Catherine C. Howlett, JD
Deputy Title IX Officer
catherine_c_howlett@rush.edu 

 

Additional Resources

The following Chicagoland organizations may offer support, assistance, and information to survivors, witnesses and others affected by Sexual Harassment.

Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline
1 N. LaSalle St. #1150
Chicago, IL
(888) 293-2080 (24 hours)

Rush University Confidential Resources:

Confidential Resources are prohibited from sharing information unless required or permitted to do so by law or ethical obligations. Information shared with Confidential Resources, when they are acting in the scope of their profession, will not be disclosed to any Rush official without the express written permission of the individual seeking services or as otherwise provided by law.

Rush Center for Clinical Wellness
24/7 Pager: (312) 942-6000, ext. 2323
RushWellness@rush.edu

Resilience
180 N. Michigan Ave. #600
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 443-9603 (24 hours)

Rush University Partially Confidential Resources:

Rush has identified the following resources who can keep reports partially confidential if a reporting party wishes. Partially Confidential Resources are required to report to the Office of Institutional Equity that an incident has occurred, and they must provide general details about the incident, but they are not required to disclose any personally identifiable information about the victim and/or reporting party.

Rush University Medical Center Chaplaincy Services
511A Kidston House
1653 W. Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-5826

The Rush Employee/Student Assistance Program
(Powered by Com/Psych)
(877) 465-1324

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Summary of Rush’s Sexual Harassment Complaint Resolution Procedures

Rush University is committed to ensuring that all reports of Sexual Harassment are referred to the Title IX Officer, who will ensure consistent application of the policies to all individuals and allow Rush University to respond promptly and equitably to eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence and eliminate its effects. The Title IX Officer conducts an initial assessment and decides whether there is sufficient information about a potential violation of one of the policies for the case to go forward. He or she will also assess the necessity for any interim measures to maintain safety. Depending on the initial assessment, an investigator may be assigned who will conduct a full investigation. During the investigation, the Complainant and Respondent will have an equal opportunity to be heard, to submit information and to identify witnesses who may have relevant information. Depending on the facts alleged and whether the parties are students or employees, the complaint resolution procedure will vary. For more information, please see the following:

Each of the above-listed Rush policies explains what to expect before, during, and after an investigation has concluded. At the conclusion, the Complainant and Respondent both have the opportunity to appeal.

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Right to Privacy

If an individual requests confidentiality when reporting, Rush University will take all reasonable steps to protect the privacy of the individual while balancing the request with Rush University’s obligation to provide a safe environment for all members of the Rush University community. Both the Rush Center for Clinical Wellness, and Resilience, a Chicago-based advocacy organization for individuals who witness or experience Sexual Harassment, are each available to members of the Rush community and serve as Confidential Resources.

Rush Center for Clinical Wellness
24/7 Pager: (312) 942-6000, ext. 2323
RushWellness@rush.edu

Resilience
180 N. Michigan Ave. #600
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 443-9603 (24 hours)

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Prohibition Against Retaliation

Rush University will take appropriate steps to ensure that a person who reports or participates in a Sexual Harassment investigation or proceeding will not be subjected to retaliation by the Respondent or by others with knowledge of the report. Anyone who believes they are experiencing retaliation is strongly encouraged to report the concern.

Report retaliation by contacting the following:

Nancee Hofheimer, JD
Title IX Officer
nancee_b_hofheimer@rush.edu

Catherine C. Howlett, JD
Deputy Title IX Officer
catherine_c_howlett@rush.edu

Anonymous reports can also be made through the Rush Hotline at (877) 787-4009 or via the Rush web reporting tool at rush.ethicspoint.com.

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