Get Help

The Project Safe Center provides individual advocacy to VU community members impacted by any form of sexual misconduct, regardless of when or where it has occurred. Vanderbilt students, staff, faculty, and postdocs may call the 24-hour crisis and support hotline (615) 322-7233, call our office line (615)875-0660, or email us at projectsafe@vanderbilt.edu to schedule a phone or video appointment.

24-Hour Crisis/Support Hotline: (615) 322-SAFE (7233)

Office: (615) 875-0660 (Walk-ins welcome Monday-Friday 8 AM to 5 PM; call the office line for non-urgent matters or to schedule an appointment)

Call us anytime to talk about what you have experienced, to ask questions, and to get information related to your options for what to do next and where to turn for help. Project Safe Center staff are available 24/7 to provide accompaniment to the Student Health Center and the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Emergency Department for treatment post-assault and/or for a forensic examination.

Upon request, a Victim Resource Specialist from the Project Safe Center will meet a student at a medical service provider, law enforcement agency, or other location for assistance or consultation. Project Safe Center Victim Resource Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Project Safe Center, Work/Life Connections – Employee Assistance Program, Faculty and Physician Wellness Program, Nurse Wellness Program, and the community resources listed above are also available to assist members of the Vanderbilt community. Students, faculty or staff members, and postdoctoral fellows/trainees seen at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center ED may also obtain victim support through the Nashville Sexual Assault Center.

Project Safe is open for advocacy appointments during our usual business hours of Monday-Friday 8 AM to 5 PM. In-person (scheduled or drop-in), Zoom or other video call, and phone call appointments remain available and may be scheduled by calling (615) 875-0660. If you are already connected with a Victim Resource Specialist, please feel free to communicate with them directly via email. Remember, we’re always available via our crisis and support hotline 24 hours a day at (615) 322-7233.

The Project Safe hotline is available 24 hours a day, and Project Safe staff answer that phone hotline. If you prefer text support, another option is the national Crisis Text Line, which provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need. Text VANDY to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor, from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis. Send a Text

Immediate Priority—Preserving Evidence: If you have recently been assaulted and wish to preserve evidence, you are advised not to change clothes or bedding, take a shower, douche, or clean up until evidence has been collected by the police or a sexual assault nurse examiner. Evidence may still be available even if the victim has changed clothes or cleaned up/showered. Therefore, victims should leave any clothes or bedding that may contain evidence unfolded and undisturbed, if possible. If clothing or bedding must be moved, each item should be kept separate to prevent transfer of body fluids or other trace evidence. Victims and witnesses should also not delete or destroy any potentially relevant video or text messages, messages through other social media outlets (e.g., Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tinder, Grindr, etc.), emails, voicemails, written notes, or any other media, including hard-copy documents.

Sexual Health Resources

Free external and internal condoms, well women exams, full STI screening (gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, and herpes), pregnancy testing, HPV vaccination, birth control options, and emergency contraception is available on campus. Click HERE to learn more.

Access to immediate virtual non-emergency medical care is available. Academic Live Care makes it easy to talk to a doctor. The physicians are U.S. trained and board certified. Click HERE to learn more.

Telehealth and Self-Directed Tools

To ensure you have support anywhere at any time, Vanderbilt has provided a variety of resources to supplement the services available through our Student Care Network. Click HERE to learn more about available telehealth options and wellbeing apps, ranging from guided meditation to nutrition and financial literacy tools.

The Project Safe hotline is available 24 hours a day, and Project Safe staff answer that phone hotline. If you prefer text support, another option is the national Crisis Text Line, which provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need. Text VANDY to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor, from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis. Send a Text.

Vanderbilt also offers students free access to Headspace, a mindfulness tool shown to reduce stress, improve focus, increase resilience and happiness.

Support during Travel Emergencies is available. Download this PDF to learn more.

Supportive Measures are Available
Vanderbilt will implement appropriate interim supportive remedial and protective measures on its own initiative or in response to a request from a student. Supportive measures are not punitive and are intended to provide support and relief to the parties involved in or affected by sexual misconduct.

Parties may request supportive measures from the Project Safe Center or from the Title IX Office, the Office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity (Student Accountability) or the Associate Dean of Students for Community Standards and Student Support. Parties may request supportive measures even in cases where an investigation is not undertaken or either party has declined to participate in the University proceeding or the criminal process. In all instances, the University will determine the reasonableness of the request and the Title IX Coordinator will oversee the interim measure(s) provided.

Supportive measures for students may include, but are not limited to:

access to on-campus counseling services and assistance in setting up an initial appointment;
no contact orders issued by Student Accountability;
rescheduling of academic exams and assignments;
providing alternative course completion options;
changing class schedules, including the ability to transfer course sections or withdraw from a course;
changing work schedules, job assignments, or job locations for University employment;
changing residence hall assignments;
providing an escort for transit between classes and activities;
providing academic support services, such as tutoring;
student-requested leaves of absence.

Supportive measures for faculty, staff, and postdoctoral fellows/trainees may include, but are not limited to:

access to on-campus counseling services and assistance in setting up an initial appointment;
changing work schedules, job assignments, or job locations;
providing an escort for transit around campus.

Eligibility for Immunity from Disciplinary Action (“The Immunity Rule”)

Vanderbilt recognizes that individuals with information about sexual misconduct may be hesitant to provide that information if they fear that in doing so, they would have to reveal their own violation of other University policies. Therefore, while Vanderbilt does not condone any violations of its policies, the University will generally extend immunity for possession or use of alcohol or drugs and any resulting intoxication to students, and may extend such immunity to other individuals, in order to facilitate reporting and investigation of sexual misconduct incidents. Individuals may be provided with resources on or referred for drug and alcohol assessment, counseling and/or education, as appropriate.

Students are expected to be forthcoming and honest when providing information to contact tracers. A student who provides information about their prior possession or use of alcohol or other drugs and any resulting intoxication, or prior violation of Vanderbilt’s COVID-19 protocols, during contact tracing will be eligible for immunity from disciplinary action in order to facilitate accurate information reporting. Similarly, a student who provides information in a Title IX investigation about their prior possession or use of alcohol or other drugs and any resulting intoxication, or prior violation of Vanderbilt’s COVID-19 protocols, will be eligible for immunity from disciplinary action in order to facilitate accurate information reporting during the investigation. On the other hand, failure to be truthful and forthcoming during contact tracing will result in disciplinary action.

Project Safe is a Limited Confidential Resource
Individuals who work at the Project Safe Center, including front desk staff and graduate assistants, can generally talk to any person impacted by sexual misconduct without revealing any personally identifying information about an incident to others within the University. A person can seek assistance and support from Project Safe Center staff without triggering a University investigation that could reveal that person’s identity or that the person has disclosed the incident. However, a person who self-discloses to Project Safe Center staff that he/she/they (or other pronoun used by the student) engaged in a possible violation of this policy may not be entitled to limited confidentiality.

Without disclosing personally identifying information about the victim, the Project Safe Center will notify the Title IX Office of the nature, date, time, and general location of an incident. The Project Safe Center will also notify the Title IX Office of the name of the alleged perpetrator, if known, when the alleged perpetrator is affiliated with Vanderbilt University as a faculty member, staff member, postdoctoral fellow/trainee, teaching assistant, independent contractor, adviser, or in any other similar capacity, other than as a student. This notification helps keep the Title IX Office informed of the general extent and nature of sexual violence on and off campus, and allows for tracking patterns, evaluating the scope of the problem, and formulating appropriate campus-wide responses.

Project Safe Center staff can assist in providing additional information, including potentially identifying information, to the Title IX Office, if the victim so wishes. Anyone who at first notifies Project Safe Center staff may later decide to make a report to the Title IX Office or law enforcement.

Project Safe Center staff can assist a victim with interim remedial and protective measures; however, the provision of interim measures that involve a non-confidential University department or impact another person may require the disclosure of identifying information to the relevant department and person as well as the Title IX Office.

While Project Safe Center staff may maintain a victim’s confidentiality vis-a-vis the University, they may have reporting obligations under state and federal law, which include:

Reporting incidents involving victims who are minors;
Disclosing information regarding a threat of imminent harm to self or others;
Testifying if subpoenaed in a criminal case; and
Complying with other federal, state, and local laws.

In addition, if Project Safe Center staff determines that the respondent poses a serious and/or immediate threat to the University community (based on, for example, the nature and severity of the incident or whether there is a pattern of misconduct), they will disclose all relevant information to the appropriate University authorities, including, but not limited to, the Title IX Office.

Project Safe Center staff will provide non-identifying information, similar to that provided to the Title IX Office, to the Vanderbilt University Police Department (VUPD) for crime statistics reporting under the Clery Act. The information reported may result in the issuance of a timely warning or security notice to the community, but the warning will not include any information that identifies the victim.

Additional Vanderbilt University Resources

Vanderbilt Police Department

911 or (615) 421-1911

Vanderbilt Police Department- Walking Escort Service (615) 421-8888

VandySafe is a mobile safety application for iOS and Android smartphones. The app allows users to connect directly from their cell phones to the Vanderbilt University Police Department. With VandySafe, you can contact VUPD for emergency services with two easy taps, submit non-emergency reports to VUPD with text, photos, or videos, submit information to VUPD anonymously, assign contacts to monitor your safety at your request, access information about Vandy Vans, and view VUPD emergency guides. SafeVU is free, available to anyone, and available for iOS and Android.

University Counseling Center
The University Counseling Center (UCC) offers individual psychotherapy as well as an ongoing support group for victims of sexual assault. For more information, visit their website or call (615) 322-2571.

The UCC Acute Care Team (ACT) staff members are available to respond to students affected acutely by a traumatic event, such as sexual assault.

The immediate impact of events like these can be especially devastating if the survivor does not receive effective support to regain stability and safety. The ACT team at the UCC consists of clinicians who can assist students in providing a safe space and support with the personal impact of these events, some of which may include:

Recurring nightmares and/or memories of the event
Sleep difficulties
Difficulty concentrating
Increase in anxiety or depressed mood
Relationship or academic difficulties

Please contact the UCC (322-2571) and ask to speak to or schedule an appointment with a member of the ACT team if you think you may benefit from this service or if you have recently experienced a traumatic event and would like support. The student may request to speak with either a male or a female member of the ACT team.

Urgent Psychological Crisis/Triage: Monday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM and Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 AM-4:30 PM, you may come into the University Counseling Center and be seen by the clinician on triage, or you may call the University Counseling Center at (615) 322-2571 to speak with triage clinician. The University Counseling Center is located at 2015 Terrace Place (across Terrace Place from the Baker Building).

After 4:30 PM, if you are experiencing an urgent psychological crisis, you should go to the Vanderbilt Emergency Room or the nearest Emergency Room for acute assessment and support. If you decide not to go to the Emergency Room then you may call the UCC after 5PM (615) 322-2571 and, through an answering service, you will be connected to the clinician who is on call at that time.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Program of Work/Life Connections-EAP is available to Vanderbilt staff including full-time, part-time and temporary employees and their spouses.

With experienced, trained EAP counselors; staff at Vanderbilt report that WLC-EAP is a great place to start to resolve personal or workplace concerns. Employees seek services from WLC-EAP to deal with a variety of issues (stress, emotional health, relationships, family, financial, alcohol, drug, legal, and other personal concerns). WLC-EAP can also help an employee formulate a plan for expanding communication and personal interaction skills which may impact other workplace issues.

Call Work/Life Connections-EAP at (615) 936-1327 for a confidential appointment.

Student Health Center
(615) 322-2427

The Student Health healthcare providers are trained in the medical evaluation and treatment of all students who have sustained a sexual assault. Our providers are also a confidential source. Students should call 615-322-2254 and request a same-day appointment. Services provided include:

STD testing and treatment
Post-Exposure HIV treatment and assessment
Emergency Contraception
Referrals (as guided by the student’s desires) to other on-campus resources

Students exposed to HIV (or have had a high risk but unknown exposure such as sexual assault) should start medication as soon as possible after exposure. Students should contact Student Health for a same-day appointment or if after-hours (and without access to Student Health within 12 hours), students should contact the after-hours emergency line at 615-322-2427.

Title IX Coordinator
(615) 322-4705

Anonymous and Third-Party Reporting
The University encourages victims of sexual misconduct to talk to someone to ensure their health and well-being. The University provides several resources for anonymous reporting for victims who do not wish to be identified. Anonymous reports may be made to the Project Safe Center at 615-322-7233. Students may also report anonymously to the Community Standards hotline at 615-343-7867. In addition, Vanderbilt has established a hotline for anonymous reporting through the Vanderbilt University Compliance Reporting Hotline, an independently-operated compliance hotline that may be used to report incidents of apparent wrongdoing on campus. The Compliance Reporting Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at 844-814-5935 or at http://www.vanderbiltcompliancehotline.ethicspoint.com. NOTE: These resources, aside from the Project Safe Center, should not be used for immediate assistance.

Vanderbilt encourages third parties to report incidents of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Office, VUPD, or the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD). Third parties may also report incidents to any mandatory reporter or through the anonymous reporting resources identified above. The University may not be able to move forward based on a third-party report if the victim does not wish to cooperate with an investigation. After providing a report, third parties are not entitled to information about the University’s investigation and response due to privacy concerns and applicable federal and state laws.

Contact Information for Resources
Any member of the Vanderbilt University community who has experienced sexual misconduct may seek immediate and/or ongoing assistance from one or more of the following resources. The resources listed will provide assistance whether or not the victim chooses to make a report to the Title IX Office or law enforcement, or to participate in an investigation.

Victim Advocacy Services – CONFIDENTIAL (LIMITED)

Vanderbilt Project Safe Center Support Line (24/7/365): 615-322-SAFE (7233)

Law Enforcement – NOT CONFIDENTIAL; VUPD IS MANDATORY REPORTER

Vanderbilt University Police Department: 615-322-2745
Emergency: 911 or 615-421-1911
Metro Nashville Police Department: 615-862-8600
Emergency: 911

Medical Service Providers – CONFIDENTIAL (but required to notify law enforcement when a person seeks treatment for injuries caused by a violent crime)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center Emergency Services: 615-322-0160
For Students: Student Health Center: 615-322-2427
For Faculty and Staff: Occupational Health Clinic: 615-936-0955

Counseling Services – CONFIDENTIAL

For Students:
- Vanderbilt University Counseling Center: 615-322-2571
- Vanderbilt Office of the University Chaplain and Religious Life: 615-322-2457
For Faculty and Staff:
- Work/Life Connections – Employee Assistance Program: 615-936-1327
- Faculty and Physician Wellness Program: 615-936-1327
- Nurse Wellness Program: 615-936-1327

Resources in the Community – NO MANDATORY REPORT TO VANDERBILT

Sexual Assault Center Hotline: 1-800-879-1999
YWCA Crisis and Information Line: 615-242-1199
St. Thomas Midtown Hospital Emergency Department: 615-284-5555
Nashville General Hospital at Meharry Emergency Department: 615-341-4000
TriStar Centennial Medical Center Emergency Department: 615-342-1000

Additional Information

VUPD and MNPD are available for emergency response, facilitating medical transport, investigating incidents of a criminal nature, referrals, and advice concerning and/or assistance with preserving evidence. VUPD also provides support for crime victims and is available to accompany them to court.

The medical service providers listed above are available to treat injuries and possible sexually transmitted infections and diseases, as well as for other health services and consultations. If the victim requests a forensic examination, one can be performed at the Student Health Center (Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm) or the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Emergency Department (ED) (24/7/365) by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) on site. Please note that medical treatment and a forensic examination may aid in the preservation of relevant evidence. Even victims who are unsure as to whether or not they want to make a police report or take action against the respondent may wish to have a forensic examination; having a forensic exam facilitates the identification and preservation of physical evidence associated with the assault.

Tennessee law requires all medical personnel to report to law enforcement when a person seeks treatment for injuries caused by a violent crime, including sexual assault. Medical personnel are also required to report to law enforcement and/or Child Protective Services when a minor presents for treatment for any injury or condition that reasonably indicates it was caused by violence or abuse, including physical or sexual abuse. Medical personnel are also required to report to law enforcement and/or Adult Protective Services when certain vulnerable adults present and there is reasonable belief that they are victims of adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Local Resources

These local resources are external to Vanderbilt:

The Sexual Assault Center of Nashville
Crisis & Support Line 1-800-879-1999

Tennessee Coalition against Domestic and Sexual Violence

YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee
YWCA Crisis and Information Line: (615) 242-1199 or toll free 1-800-334-4628.

Metro Office of Family Safety
The Office of Family Safety website provides information and resource contact information for a variety of medical, legal, educational, housing, and financial assistance resource information. OFS also provides this PDF Guide of community resources. The mission of Metropolitan Government of Nashville-Davidson County’s Office of Family Safety is to improve victim safety and offender accountability through the coordination of services provided to domestic violence and sexual assault victims by Metropolitan Government, its Family Justice Center and nonprofit partners.

For those seeking to obtain an Order of Protection, forms and helpful information may be found on the OFS website here. An Order of Protection is a legal document signed by a judge that prevents an abuser from contacting you or coming around you for any reason. It is a civil procedure which means that you don’t have to involve law enforcement if you do not want to. This also means that it will not go on an abuser’s record as long as they abide by the Order. Violating the Order can result in criminal charges against the abuser for behavior that wouldn’t normally be considered criminal, like calling you. If the judge grants your request for an Order of Protection, the Order can be in place for up to 1 year. You can request an extension of your Order at the end of that year if you still feel unsafe.

Family Safety Center
The Family Safety Center (FSC) is one of the largest Family Justice Centers in the country. The FSC increases the safety of victims of domestic and sexual violence, child and elder abuse, and human trafficking by creating a supportive environment for victims to receive free and confidential services from a variety of providers. Walk-ins are welcome. Services include safety planning, danger assessment, information and assistance in obtaining orders of protection, counseling, crisis intervention, shelter/housing assistance, emergency food assistance, children’s services, support groups, referrals to partner agencies, and address confidentiality assistance.

National Resources

These national resources are external to Vanderbilt:

SPARC Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center
The mission of the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center is to enhance the ability of professionals, organizations, and systems to effectively respond to stalking.

The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth. Available by phone at 1-866-488-7386. Online chat support is also available via the link above.

1 in 6
The mission of 1in6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences live healthier, happier lives. Their mission also includes serving family members, friends, partners, and service providers by providing information and support resources on the web and in the community. 1in6 offers 24/7 online chat support and weekly online support groups for men.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline
Available by phone at 1-800-799-7233. For those seeking self-guided resources for safety planning, click the link above to learn more. The Hotline has assisted over 4 million people since its creation in 1994. The NDVH website offers many resources and free online education on many aspects of domestic violence, and they work to empower those who have experienced abuse.

The National Center for Victims of Crime
The National Center for Victims of Crime is a nonprofit organization that advocates for victims’ rights, trains professionals who work with victims, and serves as a trusted source of information on victims’ issues. After more than 25 years, we remain the most comprehensive national resource committed to advancing victims’ rights and helping victims of crime rebuild their lives. The National Center is, at its core, an advocacy organization committed to — and working on behalf of — crime victims and their families. Rather than focus the entire organization’s work on one type of crime or victim, the National Center addresses all types of crime.

The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
Available by phone at 1-800-656-4673. Online chat support is also available at the link above. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and offers prevention education. Guides for what to do after an assault, how to support a friend or family member, and more are available on their website.

The Clery Center for Security On Campus
The Clery Center is the primary resource for learning more about the Clery Act and the rights it provides and the obligations it imposes.

Men Can Stop Rape
The mission of Men Can Stop Rape is to mobilize men to use their strength for creating cultures free from violence, especially men’s violence against women. A variety of resources on healthy masculinity are available on their website.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is the leading nonprofit in providing information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. NSVRC translates research and trends into best practices that help individuals, communities and service providers achieve real and lasting change. NSVRC also works with the media to promote informed reporting. Every April, NSVRC leads Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a campaign to educate and engage the public in addressing this widespread issue. NSVRC is also one of the three founding organizations of RALIANCE, a national, collaborative initiative dedicated to ending sexual violence in one generation.

The National Sexual Assault Legal Assistance Hotline
Available by phone at 567-SHATTER (567-782-8837) or complete the online form. The Take Back The Night Foundation legal support team provides free support so those impacted by sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other sexual violence can explore their legal options. To learn more, they offer an FAQ.

To File a Report at Vanderbilt

Office of Title IX and Student Discrimination/University Title IX Coordinator
(615) 343-9004

Online Incident Reporting Form

Equal Opportunity and Access
(615) 343-9336

Vanderbilt Police Department
Emergency: (615) 421-1911
Non-emergency: (615) 322-2745

Reporting Child Abuse and Other Child Safety Concerns
In an emergency, please call 911. To reach the Vanderbilt Office of Risk and Insurance Management, Protection of Minors, please call 615-936-5935. Other resources for reporting include the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) Hotline 877-237-0004 and the Vanderbilt University EthicsPoint Compliance Reporting Hotline 844-814-5935 or VU EthicsPoint online reporting form.