Sexual Assault & Harassment
Middlebury supports an atmosphere of respect and does not tolerate any form of harassment, sexual or otherwise, within the program. This includes, but is not limited to, unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, or any intimidating or hostile acts directed toward any individual, regardless of their association with the program. If you experience any type of sexual harassment, regardless of whether the offender has any relationship with our program, please notify your on-site staff immediately so they can develop an appropriate course of action on your behalf.
Studying abroad may increase your risk of unwanted sexual contact. The Department of State has this to say: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/women-travelers.html Although the site addresses itself to women travelers, it contains information for everyone.
Our on-site staff is your primary resource for advice to keep yourself safe and can also direct you to local support resources. We also have information by site (scroll for your site) about local laws as well as local support resources on our website.
To help protect yourself from sexual assault and harassment:
- Do not accept the invitation to visit somebody unless you know them well;
- Do not smile or smile back at people you pass on the street;
- Move yourself to a crowded place if a person follows you;
- Avoid walking alone at night;
- Use caution when taking a shared car or ride share service;
- Never take a taxi that is unregistered.
When in a foreign country, there are very subtle things that distinguish a foreigner from a local, and often these traits are what can call unwanted attention to young women in particular. Culturally, what constitutes harassment may be different, but whether one considers it harassment or unwanted attention, the advice that local experts give is the same. If you experience persistent pestering, although it isn’t accompanied by violent intent, it can be annoying and frustrating nevertheless. Silent indifference is often the most effective policy, as is looking as confident as possible. If you feel threatened, it’s always a good idea to look as though you know where you are going, even if you don’t. Any attempt to hurl insults in the direction of the transgressor is, at best, likely to cause ridicule – and at worst, could well inflame the situation further. The advice given by local professionals is to ignore any unwanted attention and continue on your way. Head towards an area that you are familiar with so that you are not isolated and, if you are being followed, head to a public space and not directly to your home.
In cases such as these, and especially if an episode escalates or turns violent or if you feel threatened in any way, it is imperative that you report the incident. The staff at the Schools in Argentina and Uruguay are available to help.
Buenos Aires
There is a protocol for victims of sexual assault to be followed if the attack takes place within the city of Buenos Aires. These are the instructions:
With Criminal Complaint
A criminal complaint in case of sexual assault may be filed exclusively by the victim at the police station nearest the crime scene. It is important not to wash before reporting the crime.
The police staff will summon the Rapid Response Unit for Emergency Intervention with Sexual Assault Victims (Brigada Móvil de Intervención en Urgencias con Víctimas de Delitos Sexuales).
A psychologist and a social worker are part of this unit, and they will assist the victim at the police station and later, take him/her to a hospital.
There, preventive HIV treatment, antibiotics for sexually transmitted diseases (ETS, for its Spanish acronym) and emergency contraceptive medication will be provided, and a forensic expert will examine the victim.
Later, the victim will be taken to the Identification Unit (División de Individualización Criminal), where they will be asked to identify the assailant through an identikit. They will be accompanied to the Forensic Medical Center as well, in accordance with the provisions of the Judge.
Once the medical examination is over, the Rapid Response Unit can also take the victim and their relatives home.
This unit will also be present when supplemental reports or picture recognition are needed in order to identify the assailant.
Without Criminal Complaint
In case the victim prefers not to report the incident to the police, they must ask for preventive medication for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases at the Hospital Alemán Emergency Room (at Av. Pueyrredón and Beruti) and, at their own discretion, for contraceptive medication.
In both cases, it is necessary to contact the Middlebury assistant director at once who will be available to stay with the student until they return home.
Montevideo
These are the instructions to be followed in the event of a sexual assault in Montevideo:
Assistance for Sexual Assault Victims
If you have been sexually assaulted you are advised to undergo a medical examination as promptly as possible due to the potential health risks involved, including sexually transmitted diseases. It is not mandatory to file a report about the assault in order to be provided with medical and/or psychological treatment.
What Are You Required To Do?
In case of an emergency, call 911 and contact the Police Department
Go to the Sanatorio Americano emergency room (at Puey 2533) or to the nearest Health Center.
The physician will certify the injuries inflicted upon you and put in place the adequate clinical measures regarding the administration of contraceptive, HIV, STI and Hepatitis B medication, in addition to any supportive psychological assistance you may require.
Should you wish for the program coordinator to go with you, please call 099-923-407 (mobile phone) or 2709-4891 (land line).
Phone Supprot
You may seek Government assistance by calling the phone numbers below (both are toll-free numbers):
0800-4141 (land line)
*4141 (movistar or ancel mobile phones)
When you call, the operator will listen to the assault case you are reporting and, depending on the case, will inform you of the steps to follow in addition to providing you with psychological and legal assistance.
Business hours are from Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
To Report a Sexual Assault
You must go to the Domestic Violence Police Department which offers around-the-clock assistance and is located at San José 1126. Your case will then be referred to the court so that appropriate measures may be taken, as needed.
