18 Resource: Managing Emergencies and Incidents Abroad

Potential Program Disruptions

For the safety and security of your students and yourself, we are making available to you a number of documents regarding safety precautions for IU programs abroad (Overview, Managing Real and Perceived Emergencies Abroad, Responsible Study Abroad).

Program Suspension or Cancellation

Indiana University’s Overseas Study Advisory Council has established a system-wide policy that prohibits programs from operating in countries for which a Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory has been issued by the U.S. State Department. The following portion of the policy impacts a program that is already under way:

“Should a Travel Advisory be issued while a program is under way, Education Abroad will determine, following appropriate consultation with on-site staff, the OSAC Safety and Responsibility Committee, appropriate internal departments (such as University Counsel and/or Risk Management), peer institutions, other organizations that offer programs abroad and area experts, whether conditions warrant suspension of the program and/or departure of the students from the host country.”

Aside from the issuance of Travel Advisories and/or specific directive by the U.S. State Department and/or U.S. Embassy, the decision to suspend or cancel a program will also be informed by conversations with:

• IU administrators and faculty members here and abroad
• University officials at the partner institution (where applicable)
• U.S. Embassy officials in-country
• Other officials from U.S. agencies and/or NGOs
• The appropriate U.S. State Department country Desk Officer(s)
• Education Abroad’s own assessment of the following events (not in rank order):
• Initiation of war by the U.S. against the country where the program is located or a neighbor
• Initiation of war by a third country against the country of the program location
• Significant terrorist activity in the program city
• Protracted or indefinite closure of the University or host institution
• Inability of the local staff to organize and carry out an academic program
• Serious disruption of public utilities and/or services in the program city
• Widespread civil unrest, violence and/or rioting in the program city
• A declaration of martial law in the program city
• Recommendation of suspension/cancellation by the U.S. program staff in-country

The following events might precipitate concern and will require close communication between you and Education Abroad:

• Violence emanating from demonstrations, or other reactions to an international situation, that affect the general population and/or you and your students. Students should avoid such demonstrations.
• Individual anti-American attacks (physical and/or verbal) that affect you and your students
• Other dangers to students while they are participating in, or away from, program activities
• Direct military violence against the city or country of your program site that affects the general population and/or you and your students
• Terrorist activity in the city or country of your program site that affects the general population and/or you and your students

In each of these cases, close contact with Education Abroad is imperative so that we can jointly make appropriate decisions regarding any necessary steps to be taken to promote the safety of the group.

Strikes

With regard to the academic implications of any type of strike in the area, plan for alternative arrangements until the situation is resolved. Safety can also be a concern in a strike situation when emotions can run high. In this situation, advise students to avoid demonstrations, where events may unfold quickly in unpredictable ways.

 Natural Disasters

Most natural disasters know no geographic boundaries. Differences do exist, however, in terms of local capabilities to manage damage after events have occurred. Each situation will be a unique event and you are encouraged to use your common sense. We suggest that you seek out local authorities for information about what to expect and how to respond if anything happens.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct or behavior of a sexual nature including: sexual advances; requests for sexual favors; other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can include dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. These are all acts of violence and power that use sex as a weapon. See IU’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Per federal regulations, the university must, when it knows (or reasonably should know) of sexual harassment: investigate, take prompt and effective steps to end the harassment, prevent recurrence, address the effects, and provide a grievance procedure.

Additionally, all incidents of sexual violence and harassment must be reported. It does not matter if:

• the person has complained or not;
• the complaint is verbal or written, formal or informal;
• information comes to you secondhand;
• the person asks you not to take action;
• the person does not identify the conduct as harassment;
• where the incident occurred; or
• when the incident occurred.

U.S. campuses have specially trained staff and volunteers, crisis help lines and Web sites to assist students who have been victims of sexual harassment. Many of these resources are still available to you and your participants, via Internet, phone and Skype connections. You, as the institutional representative, have an obligation to respond and offer assistance and to report all incidents.

Sexual Harassment Response and Action

Should a student report an incident of sexual harassment, suggested procedures appear below. Note that such incidents often go unreported; victims often initially are conflicted over whether or not to report incidents.

Suggested Procedures:

Upon receiving a report of sexual harassment of any kind –

1. Offer assistance to assure the safety of the student.
2. Ask student to share as many of the details as is comfortable for them. (Students should not be pressured to provide details.)
3. If the person reporting the incident is willing to speak to law enforcement, you can and should help them to make contact. However, if the person does not want to speak to law enforcement, they do not have to.
4. Offer to facilitate access to local medical assistance, including emergency contraception and STD testing, and to counseling, as well as to IU campus resources via distance connections.
5. Remember that every student has the right to confidentiality within official IU reporting lines.
6. Regardless of whether or not the student wishes to report the incident, you must report it to IU.

You are encouraged to consult Education Abroad at any point during this process.