Guidance for supervisors and leaders

In offering support

In the event of an immediate threat to the well-being of the individual or anyone else, dial 911 from a campus phone or 574-631-5555 from a cell phone.
If the individual’s personal safety is of concern, contact the Notre Dame Police Department at 574-631-5555.

Consider whether the individual’s workspaces (office, lab, classroom) should be temporarily moved or secured and whether the person’s contact information should be temporarily removed from directories.
Assess any immediate safety issues:
Evaluate broader safety issues:
Help the individual work through the step-by-step checklist, including connecting the person to the appropriate resources in NDHR and/or faculty affairs, NDPD, OIT, and University Communications.

Engage with appropriate senior leadership and University Communications to prepare a coordinated response, if needed. Ensure that NDHR and/or faculty affairs leaders are aware of the situation.
Inform the Office of Media Relations of any media inquiries related to the situation.
Reinforce the University’s commitment to academic freedom and to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all employees.
Continue to check in with the faculty or staff member in the months after the incident.

It is possible that colleagues of the individual who is being targeted could also be exposed to harassing messages (e.g., administrative staff who answer the phone). Update these colleagues on what to expect and how to respond by providing a script for phone calls or a template for emails, as well as instructions about keeping phone logs and preserving documents.
Consider if others in the department could benefit from talking about what is happening. Reach out to your NDHR People Strategy Partner to help you decide on and use these resources.
Depending on the nature of the harassment, others who share the demographic identity of the person being targeted may also need or want support. The Office of Institutional Equity and/or Office of Institutional Transformation can be a resource.

If you have also become a target or if you are experiencing stress, consider taking advantage of the same resources you offer the individual facing online harassment.