File a Formal Complaint

A formal complaint asks the University to investigate whether the University’s policies related to sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct have been violated.

Formal complaints are submitted to the University Title IX Coordinator and investigated by the Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR). If there is a finding of a policy violation by a Harvard College student, the College Administrative Board will consider appropriate sanctions, ranging from an admonition or warning up to and including dismissal or expulsion. Title IX Resource Coordinators at the College can answer questions about the process for filing a formal complaint, and speaking to a Title IX Resource Coordinator does not automatically trigger a formal complaint. 

• Learn how to file a formal complaint. 
• Learn about Harvard's policies related to sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct. 
• Learn about the Office for Dispute Resolution. 

It can be helpful to know that:

• Parties are permitted to have an advisor present throughout the process. Learn about the role of an advisor. 
• Parties continue to have access through the investigation to supportive measures; a formal complaint is also not required to access these measures. Learn about supportive measures. 
• The Office for Gender Equity’s Data Dashboard summarizes historical data about disclosures and formal complaints at Harvard. See the Data Dashboard.