Sexual Assault & Gender-Based Misconduct Information

 If You Have Experienced Sexual Assault or Misconduct

If you have experienced sexual assault or sexual misconduct, please know that you are not alone, and that support is available. Your safety and well-being are our top priority. You have multiple options to access care, support, and to pursue formal reporting through your home institution, the Tufts in Madrid program, or the Spanish legal system. We are here for you—with care, respect, and confidentiality.

Emergency Information:
What to Do Immediately

If there is an immediate threat to your safety or health:

  • Call 112 (Spain’s emergency number). Operators speak English and the number works even if you do not have a Spanish SIM card.
  • Go to the emergency room (Urgencias) at any hospital.

  • Contact Program Staff immediately:

    • Susan Sánchez Casal, Director: 690 625 612
    • Mayte de las Heras, Deputy Director: 680 140 966
    • Miguel Ángel Lera, Student Care Manager: 622 867 457

Important:

  • Medical care is recommended in all cases—for hidden injuries, emergency contraception, or STI prevention/treatment.
  • If possible, avoid showering, bathing, or washing clothing worn during the incident, as this may destroy evidence. Place worn clothing in a paper bag if you have changed.
  • If you’re not ready to seek medical care, please go to a safe space and reach out to someone you trust. You don’t need to go through this alone.
  • This was not your fault. No action or behavior on your part justifies aggression or assault. The perpetrator holds 100% of the responsibility.

 What Is Sexual Misconduct?

Sexual misconduct includes a range of behaviors committed without consent, including but not limited to:

  • Sexual harassment: unwanted advances, pressure for sexual activity, verbal sexual abuse, comments about appearance, degrading language, or displaying explicit images.

  • Sexual assault: any sexual act committed without consent, or when a person is unable to give consent.

  • Sexual exploitation: non-consensual sharing of photos/videos, coerced prostitution, public exposure, or voyeurism.

     

 Filing a Report in Spain

If you wish to file a criminal report (poner una denuncia), you must go in person to a police station (comisaría). Reports cannot be filed online. A Program Administrator can accompany you.

Click here for a list of police stations in Madrid.

 

Reporting to the Program

You may report any incident of sexual misconduct or assault to the Program by contacting the Program Staff listed above.

You can also report anonymously through our secure online reporting form.

Please note: Program administrators are mandated reporters and must notify the Title IX Coordinator at your home institution. However, you maintain full control over how you wish to proceed and what support you choose to receive.

 

Reporting to Your Home Institution

 Cultural Awareness and Sexual Aggression

Unwelcome attention is not culturally acceptable anywhere. While norms vary, harassment is never justified. In Spain, it’s perfectly appropriate to respond firmly, without smiling or engaging. If a man is bothering you:

  • Say: “Déjame en paz” (Leave me alone), or
  • Simply ignore him and walk away confidently.

Unfortunately, American women are sometimes stereotyped as sexually available. Knowing this, you can choose to respond with assertiveness and self-protection. Spanish women are often cold or indifferent to male strangers—and you can be too.

 

 Sexism, Racism, and Intersectional Microaggressions

Microaggressive Male Behavior

Street harassment—catcalling, or piropos—is disturbingly common in Spain, particularly directed toward young women. Women of Color (mujeres racializadas) may experience harassment that is both sexist and racist. Examples include:

  • Being followed, touched, or verbally harassed in public spaces
  • Being stereotyped or mistaken for sex workers
  • Increased aggressiveness from men who feel entitled to attention

We recognize these experiences and offer validation, support, and safe spaces to process and respond.

 

Street Harassment (Acoso Callejero)

Street harassment includes:

  • Whistles, comments, leering, groping, stalking, and verbal abuse
  • These acts degrade, objectify, and silence women—especially women from marginalized groups

You are NEVER to blame.

The harasser is 100% responsible for their behavior.

Ways to respond

  • Stay calm and assertive.
  • Make eye contact and use clear language.
  • Photograph license plates or take your phone out visibly.

Say

  • “No me silbes, me estás acosando.”
  • “Déjame en paz.”
  • “No me toques.”
  • “Estás demasiado cerca.”

 What You Can Do Now

  • Talk to the Tufts in Madrid Team or IFG/Affinity mentors
  • Ask host families and mentors about safe areas
  • Practice self-care and set boundaries

Further Resources

We encourage you to report any incident to the Program Director or Deputy Director.

We will support you with care and confidentiality.

You are not alone.