The U.S. National Science Foundation is committed to a culture free from sexual assault and harassment wherever NSF-funded activities are conducted. NSF strives to ensure a victim/survivor-centered approach and to always place the rights, confidentiality, wishes, needs, safety and well-being of the victim/survivor at the center of all prevention and response efforts.
Safe research environments are not limited to those conducting research but also include those in supportive roles, such as NSF federal employees, contractor employees and affiliates who work in support of NSF or whose work is funded by NSF.
If you are an NSF employee, contractor, awardee or affiliate and would like support from NSF SAHPR to find out your options for filing a report or complaint, or to get resources, contact our office.
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What is the NSF Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response program?
NSF SAHPR program office
The NSF SAHPR program office serves as NSF's central point of contact for the coordination of response to sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking incidents and is responsible for overseeing comprehensive prevention practices.
The purpose of the NSF SAHPR program office is to support individuals who have experienced sexual violence and to ensure the sensitive and comprehensive care of survivors. SAHPR does this by helping victims and survivors:
- Identify information on available support resources.
- Navigate the available options for how and where to report incidents.
- Access advocacy and support through any investigative processes, safety planning and other needs.
The SAHPR program office does not provide legal advice or conduct investigations.
To support healthy, safe, respectful, inclusive environments free from sexual violence, the SAHPR program office is responsible for:
- Establishing NSF policies and training programs to support prevention efforts and provide a survivor-centered and trauma-informed response to sexual assault and sexual harassment.
- Cultivating an organizational climate of mutual trust, safety and respect that encourages survivors to report incidents without fear of retaliation.
- Ensuring all NSF community members understand their roles and responsibilities to prevent and report sexual violence.
- Continuous monitoring and evaluation to track the effectiveness of NSF SAHPR-related policies and procedures.
Resources for USAP participants
For current and former USAP participants
If you are a current or former USAP participant and a survivor of sexual assault or harassment, the below resources are available to you.
The NSF Antarctic Helpline is a 24/7 crisis support service available specifically for members of the USAP community who experience sexual assault and/or sexual harassment.
Through this service, helpline support specialists provide live, confidential, one-on-one crisis intervention, emotional support and information about support and reporting resources.
Website and online chat: NSFAntarcticHelpline.org
Call: 833-673-1733
Text: 202-932-7569
The USAP Victim Advocate provides confidential information about safety planning, reporting, possible accommodations and other support resources for members of the USAP community who experience sexual assault and/or sexual harassment.
Email: USAPadvocate@LDSScorp.com
Phone: 720-568-1083
USAP Extension: x42709
For current USAP participants only
If you are a current USAP participant in Antarctica, the below resources and services are also available to you.
Are you experiencing an emergency and need immediate assistance in Antarctica? Contact the following:
McMurdo Station and South Pole Station
Call 9-1-1.
Palmer Station
Call for help on the radio.
USAP vessel
Call for help on the radio or call the captain of the vessel.
In the field
Call the McMurdo Dispatch at (720) 568-1042.
For all USAP stations, vessels and fields
You can also contact the special deputy U.S. marshal by phone at (720) 568-1039.
For medical services, such as physical examinations, medical forensic exams and preventative treatments, contact:
McMurdo Station medical services
- Local extension: x42551
- Pager: 876
South Pole Station medical services
- Local extension: x61602
- Radio call number: 242
Palmer Station medical services
- Local extension: x52778
The USAP licensed clinical counselor provides confidential mental health support and counseling services.
Email: usap-counselor@usap.gov
The NSF station manager is deputized as a special deputy U.S. marshal with law enforcement responsibilities on the ice. These duties include investigating certain alleged crimes that occur in the Antarctic.
The special deputy U.S. marshal is stationed in McMurdo and is available 24/7.
Email: mcm-nsfstmgr@usap.gov
Phone: (720) 568-1039
Contact us
NSF SAHPR program office
Email: saferscience@nsf.gov
If you do not receive an acknowledgment within 48 hours, please follow up to ensure the SAHPR program office has received your communication.
For media and press inquiries, please contact the NSF public affairs office at media@nsf.gov or (703) 292-8070.
The SAHPR program office is available to support survivors and victims by providing resources, advocacy and support with navigating how and where to initiate a report of sexual harassment, sexual assault and/or stalking.
The SAHPR program office will take all reasonable steps to protect confidentiality, and any information provided to the office will be protected to the extent allowed by law.
If you choose to file a complaint with the responsible organization for investigation or inquiry, with your consent, the SAHPR program office will follow up with that organization to ensure that the matter is appropriately addressed based on the most relevant organizational policies and legal standards.
Please be aware that the SAHPR program office must provide information to the appropriate law enforcement authorities in circumstances where the disclosure is necessary to avoid a serious risk of imminent physical harm (e.g., plans to harm self or others).