The New School stands squarely against all forms of violence, harassment, misconduct, and discrimination, including anti-Black and anti-Asian violence and judgments about individuals based on their origin or heritage. If you experience harassment or hate of any kind, there are a few steps you can take to address it.
Calling 911 is a free public resource during an emergency. If you are on campus, you can also report the incident to Campus Safety if you feel comfortable doing so. For on-campus safety concerns that do not pose an immediate threat, contact Campus Safety at 212.229.7001 or by using the Campus Safety app.
Alternatives to police involvement in NYC include:
Safe OUTSide the System at ALP - a community based antiviolence program for QTPOC
Anti-Violence Project - a community based antiviolence program for LGBTQ+ and HIV+ communities
Alternatives to Calling 911 - Justice for Flatbush - General suggestions for alternatives to calling 911
Contact Campus Safety or the police via the contact info in the section above.
Contact Student Conduct and Community Standards if the incident involves a member of the New School community or if you are unsure about what to do next. You can also file a report. If you choose to anonymously report, we will not be able to follow up with you about the incident, but we will look into your concern. If you identify yourself, we may contact you depending on the nature of the incident you reported.
File a Complaint of Police Misconduct through the City’s complaint process.
If you have experienced harassment or violence and do not want to take legal action, but would like other related assistance, such as filing victim compensation paperwork, you can contact Safe Horizon or another advocacy organization (email studentsupport@newschool.edu for more referrals). You will only be able to file for victim’s compensation if you have made a report to the police, and it’s helpful if you have a receipt of medical services or other out of pocket expenses related to the incident.
If you have experienced harassment or violence and want to take legal action, there are free and low-cost options available to you. The Legal Aid Society’s Cop Accountability Project “brings individual and class action federal civil rights lawsuits to make necessary changes to policing in New York City.”
Bringing criminal cases that do not involve police to court, such as an assault on the sidewalk, will not be taken by a legal aid organization and can currently only be pursued directly through the police. If you’re not sure if your situation is a criminal case, you can contact any of the organizations below and they will give you the appropriate referral.
NYC Commission on Human Rights can be reached at 311 or 718.722.3131 for cases involving discrimination or harassment in employment, housing, and public accommodations such as restaurants or stores.
Legal Services NYC has staff locally in every borough and can be reached via their hotline at 917.661.4500. Their areas of practice include civil rights and immigrant rights, among many other areas, and they can assist in non-criminal cases regarding discrimination and harassment.
The City Bar Justice Center can be reached at 212.626.7383. They can provide information and referrals but are not taking new cases at the moment.
Hollaback provides free, online bystander intervention, conflict de-escalation, harassment prevention, and resilience training sessions. Those who witness or experience street harassment can also report it on the Hollaback app.
Stay Safe from Hate booklet by the Asian American Federation offers strategies for protecting yourself during threatening situations.
State Resource List: This list provides links to support resources by state and was created by New School students.
Experiencing harassment or hate can bring up complex feelings. It is normal to have a variety of reactions to these types of situations, or realize after the fact that you want to do something about what happened.
If you need help processing your feelings or deciding what to do next, Student Support and Advocacy can help you determine which resources or action steps are available to you. You can also contact Counseling Services (shs@newschool.edu) to schedule an appointment with a licensed therapist.
Please note: Student Support and Advocacy is a private resource, but not confidential. Depending on what you share, they may work with other offices to get you the support you need. If you are looking for a confidential resource, contact Counseling Services.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence and/or sex/gender-based violence, please review the following resources to find support near you.
If you are co-quarantined with an abuser or worried about having to self-isolate from coronavirus in a dangerous home situation, call 1.800.799.7233/TTY 1.800.787.3224 or use the chat feature on the National Domestic Violence Hotline website. Below are some additional resources:
Safe Horizon Hotline (1.800.621.4673): Available 24/7. Anyone can call to speak to someone any hour of the day for support. Safe Horizon also has a helpline (855.234.1042) available Monday-Friday, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EST.
SafeChat: An online chat/text line available Monday-Friday, from 1:00-6:00 p.m. EST.
Survivor Resources: A list of resources including support lines to call, self-care advice, homeless shelter information, and more.
The New York Anti-Violence Project offers support to LGBTQIA+ survivors and has updated resources on what to do when cohabiting with an unsafe party.
Sanctuary for Families provides advice on how to navigate the criminal justice system, Title IX, and family court systems during this period, as well as how to access services and resources with so many offices closed.
Campus Advocates Project provides legal consultations and representation to student survivors of gender-based violence, including sexual violence. Services are offered to students considering the Title IX process, the criminal/ civil justice system, or seeking advice regarding their legal options.