Accountability
Sexual Abuse Helpline for Columbia University: Operated by RAINN
As part of our ongoing commitment to support survivors, Columbia has worked with RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence nonprofit, to establish a free, confidential, 24/7 helpline for survivors, their loved ones, and others seeking assistance. The trauma-informed helpline specialists offer support in English and en Español through telephone, chat, text, and WhatsApp.
In November 2023, Columbia commissioned an external investigation to provide a transparent and accurate understanding determine the circumstances, environment, and behavior that allowed Hadden’s abuse to continue for so long; to establish a process for survivors and others with knowledge of Hadden’s abuse can voluntarily reach out to share their stories with the investigator; and to issue public findings.
The external investigator, Joan Loughnane, is a partner at Sidley Austin LLP who previously served in a variety of leadership positions in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. As part of the investigation, Loughnane and her team reviewed documents, interviewed witnesses, including current and former employees and others with knowledge of Hadden’s abuse, reviewed complaints and survivor statements submitted in connection with Hadden’s criminal case, and, importantly, spoke directly with dozens of survivors who reached out to bravely shared their stories with her. The University cooperated fully with the investigation. Ms. Loughnane and her team had full control over the report and pursued all avenues of inquiry as they determined.
The report describes the factors that permitted Hadden’s abuse to occur over a sustained period of time, details the significant improvements that Columbia had made before the investigation began to address many of the weaknesses identified in the report, and sets forth a series of commitments that Columbia has made to enhance its policies and procedures to prevent sexual misconduct from occurring.
The external investigation is now complete.
A letter to the Columbia University community.
Updated 3/10/2026