Sexual Assault Resource Center
COORDINATED RESPONSE TO THE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF STUDENTS
Procedures for Responding to a Student Who Has Been Assaulted
INFORM THE UNIVERSITY
Students are encouraged to report all incidents of sexual assault to the University in order to receive help in accessing support services and in prosecuting the sex offender. However, this decision must be made by the victim and shall be respected by all members of the University. Although University personnel may be required to report a time, date, and location of incidents to the appropriate administrative office, the person receiving a report from the victim should not ask for this information nor accept it without first telling her/him how it may be utilized.
When University personnel are informed of a sexual assault incident each will seek the victim's consent to notify the Vice President for Student Success or a representative. All University personnel (except University Counseling Center and University Health Center staff, as noted in section II) should notify the Vice President for Student Success of each incident by date, time and location, if known.
Note: In accordance with federal law (the Clery Act), all campus security personal (defined for the University at Albany as staff in Residential Life, Student Life, University Police, Conflict Resolution and Civic Responsibility, Athletics, Undergraduate Studies and Affirmative Action) are required to make such a report.
Without the victim's consent, it is not necessary to provide an exact address for location; the following examples would be appropriate (e.g., a room on [specify name] Quadrangle, an apartment in mid-town Albany). However, neither the name nor other identifying information will be disclosed without the victim's consent.
University personnel are encouraged to consult their supervisors when they have concerns or doubts regarding the safety or well-being of a victim or another person, in order to take steps to assure the safety of the victim and others. In rare cases this consultation may need to occur even without the victim's consent. Remember, the University Counseling Center (442-5800) can provide a confidential psychological consultation.
With a victim's consent the Vice President for Student Success or their designee will provide a coordinated response. The following is a list of available services to provide support to the victim. It will be up to the victim to choose.
- Criminal Process
The University Police Department will help to file a complaint or legal charges against the alleged sex offender for on campus incidents. University Police are also available to consult with victims about criminal prosecution, campus judicial review, and referrals to appropriate authorities for off-campus incidents.
- Campus Judicial Review
The Director of Conflict Resolution and Civic Responsibility (442-5501) and/or the Associate Director of Residential Life/Quad Supervisor (442-5875) will assist in filing a complaint for possible university disciplinary action against the alleged sex offender.
- University Resources for help and support:
- The Coordinator for Sexual Assault Prevention and Education -- for information and referral to on and off campus resources.
- A student's friends and family. While a student will be encouraged to call her/his family for support, the decision to do so will remain with the student;
- Other University administrative/executive staff and teaching faculty to facilitate academic accommodations; financial accommodations, housing accommodations; etc.;
- The Director of Residential Life, if the student lives in University housing;
- The Directors of the Disability Resource Center and International Student Services and the Director of Multicultural Student Success, as appropriate;
- The Office of Affirmative Action;
- CHARGE, Fuerza Latina, ASUBA, International Student Association, if the student is of color or an international student, or at the request of any student, so that these networks can provide support;
- Student Association Gender and Sexual Concerns Advisor;
- Chapel House staff for additional support to the student.
- Materials describing all campus resources and providing additional information will be distributed to any sexual assault victim who is seen in the offices or departments mentioned in this protocol.
Sexual Assault Resource Center
