Handbook Flip Book Update November 2016

Reports may be made on-line. Anonymous reporting, however, may impact the University’s

ability to respond or pursue appropriate action against the alleged perpetrators. On-line reports

will be reviewed by the dean of students, or designee.

Why it is important to report bias incidents and hate crimes?

The police and the University need to know the number, type, and range of bias incidents and

hate crimes that impact our community. Reporting these acts will help Suffolk University

identify the problem areas to improve services that deal with this type of victimization. As a

witness to a bias incident or hate crime, you have a unique opportunity to play a vital role in the

internal and/or external justice system. By reporting the incident, information you provide will

help the University ensure that offenders answer for their offenses and will help resolve larger

issues. The information you give by reporting a hate crime or incident you may witness will:



Help bring the perpetrator to justice—this could prevent further occurrences and protect other

Suffolk University community members;



Help you—you may find it beneficial to talk about what has happened and your feelings about it;



Help the Suffolk University community—all such offenses have a negative effect on our

community and should be pursued actively.

If you believe that you may have been the target of or a witness to a bias incident or and/or a hate

crime, there are several steps you should follow:

If necessary, obtain medical attention, and if you feel unsafe call SUPD immediately at

617.573.8111.

If possible, preserve any evidence and document the incident as thoroughly as possible (graffiti,

phone call recording, e-mail message, letter, and so forth) by taking pictures, videotaping, and

writing down everything you or witnesses remember, and keeping the contact information of any

witnesses. The protocol for dealing with graffiti is first to inform SUPD, which will then

photograph the graffiti. After photographs are taken, Facilities will be notified to remove the

graffiti.

Report the incident to the appropriate authority.

You may also submit an on-line and/or anonymous report (see:

. Anonymous reporting, however, may

impact the University’s ability to respond or pursue appropriate action against the alleged

perpetrators. On-line reports will be reviewed by the senior associate dean of students, or

designee.

If you are not sure whether or not a bias incident may be a hate crime, report it anyway to SUPD

at 617.573.8239.

It is best to report an incident as early as possible to facilitate the investigation. SUPD, and other

offices (link to reporting options) will be able to refer you to a variety of support resources both