Supportive Measures

What is a no contact order?

A no contact order is issued by your School or unit and is designed to limit or prohibit contact or communications between or among individuals. No contact orders generally are mutual, meaning that they restrict each party from contacting, or communicating with, the other. The Title IX Resource Coordinator for your School or unit can provide you more information about no contact orders.

What is an abuse prevention order?

In Massachusetts there are two kinds of protective orders:

1. Abuse Prevention Order (often referred to as a restraining order or a 209a)
2. Harassment Prevention Order (often referred to as 258e) 

These are civil orders that are implemented by the court system. For a brief overview between the difference between these two prevention orders, visit: https://www.mass.gov/doc/am-i-eligible-for-a-restraining-order-handout/download. 

To apply for a protective order, you need to either go to the Court Clerk’s office during business hours or go to the police after business hours for an emergency order. If you seek an emergency order, you will still have to go to the Court Clerk’s office the next day.

If the order is granted by a judge, you have to go back to court in approximately 10 days for a hearing where a judge decides whether to extend the order for a longer period of time.

HUPD, local Title IX Resource Coordinators, and the Title IX Team within CSNDR are available to assist in answering questions pertaining to protective orders.

The confidential SHARE Team serves as a resource to the Harvard community and can help answer questions, apply, try to seek legal resources, and go to court with you as a support.

If I hold an abuse prevention order, how can Harvard help me?* 

• The University complies with Massachusetts law in recognizing Abuse Prevention Orders (obtained pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 209A) and other valid orders of protection from Massachusetts or any other state or tribal court. Any Harvard person who obtains an order of protection from domestic or dating abuse, harassment, stalking or sexual assault from any state in the country should provide a copy to the HUPD and to their School or unit Title IX Resource Coordinator. SHARE counselors remain available as a confidential resource regarding seeking information and support on and/or obtaining protective orders.
• The HUPD will: (1) attempt service of protective orders on defendants; and (2) arrest persons who are in violation of protective orders if there is a violation on campus. Additionally, HUPD will accept copies of active protective orders previously served so that information regarding the parties are made part of HUPD’s record management system and can be shared with all HUPD officers. Any person holding a protective order may meet with an HUPD officer to develop a safety action plan, the goal of which is to reduce risk of harm to the person while on campus or coming and going from campus. Each case is assessed independently. In coordination with other University offices, HUPD will help to put in place safety measures that may include but are not limited to the use of a temporary escort, special parking arrangements, changing classroom location, supervisor, work location, and/or allowing a student to complete assignments from home, depending on the course. The University cannot apply for an abuse prevention order or restraining order but can assist a person in obtaining such an order.
• The University also may issue an institutional no contact order if deemed appropriate. Violators of an institutional no contact order are subject to discipline.

*Note: the following information pertaining to Protective Orders is drawn from https://www.hupd.harvard.edu/rape-and-indecent-assault-and-battery.