Sexual Violence Support & Advocacy

Note: This is a private (not confidential) resource, which means OHP staff members are required to report disclosures of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator. 

Advocacy is available to support students who have experienced trauma. We can help you: 

• Process experiences of violence and harm in a supportive but non-clinical manner 

• Weigh options and outcomes of possible action steps 

• Create a safety plan and arrange accommodations  

• Meet with campus administrators and communicate with professors 

• Navigate other available resources 

Call the Office of Health Promotion at 518-956-8477. Our office is located in Seneca Hall's basement on Indigenous Quad, which is on the Uptown Campus.

The point of contact for advocacy services is the Sexual Violence Prevention Specialist, MacKenzie Bachar, who you can email at [email protected]. 

Note: This is a confidential resource, which means that CAPS will not share your information without your explicit permission (except in extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency). 

Students have access to counseling and consultation services at CAPS, where clinicians are available to address adverse experiences and other mental health concerns. 

Additionally, the Trauma and Resilience Specialist is available to support students who have experienced trauma from violence, racism and other adverse experiences.  

Make a CAPS appointment.

Note: This is a confidential resource, which means that SHS will not share your information without your explicit permission (except for in extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency). 

SHS provides compassionate and inclusive healthcare to all registered UAlbany students. 

Available medical services include general medical care, gynecological services, lab tests, pharmacy services and STI testing. 

Make an SHS appointment.

Note: This is a confidential resource, which means they will not contact University officials or law enforcement without your explicit permission (except for in extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency). 

Interfaith Services can provide you with space and opportunities for worship and connection to spirituality and faith, as well as help you access on-campus chaplains. 

Anyone may report instances of sexual violence to the Office of Equity & Compliance if the complaint is against a UAlbany student or employee.  

UAlbany's Title IX Coordinator, Amelia Barbadoro, works in the Office of Equity & Compliance. The office is responsible for: 

• Responding to all reports of sexual misconduct 

• Providing information about on- and off-campus support services 

• Assisting victims/survivors with accessing academic, residential and safety accommodations, regardless of whether a complaint is filed 

• Conducting prompt, fair and unbiased administrative investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct to determine if there was a violation of UAlbany policy 
   

See a flow chart outlining the reporting process. 

If you report being a victim/survivor of sexual violence, you will first meet with the University’s Title IX Coordinator or their designee.  

Based on that initial meeting, you can decide whether you would like to take action and, if so, whether you want to go through the formal or informal process.  

You do not have to make this decision immediately. And you can bring an advisor of choice to accompany you through the process. The University can also provide an advisor upon request. 

Note: All students have access to advocacy services from the Office of Health Promotion and CVSVC, regardless of whether they decide to take action or where they are in the reporting process. 

Informal Process 

1. You must submit a formal written complaint to the Title IX Coordinator to initiate the informal resolution process. 
    

2. The Title IX Coordinator will work with both Parties to determine whether informal resolution is possible. If both Parties, the Title IX Coordinator and the Assistant Dean of Students for Community Standards all agree, a formal agreement will be drafted. 

Note: You do not have to file a formal written complaint to do either of the following: 

• You can choose to have your report documented but have no immediate action taken. 

• You can request a Cease-and-Desist order, which is a non-disciplinary administrative directive that both Parties cease all communications. 

Formal Process 

1. You must submit a formal written complaint to the Title IX Coordinator to initiate the informal resolution process. 
    

2. The Title IX Coordinator will decide if the case falls under the University’s Title IX Grievance Policy or Sexual Violence Response Policy. 
    

3. Investigations are conducted by the Title IX coordinator or their designee. An investigation includes interviews with the Parties and witnesses, statement reviews, evidence collection and the drafting of a final Investigation Report.
    

4. All Parties will have an opportunity to review the final Investigation Report twice before it is submitted to the Office of Community Standards, which is a unit within the Dean of Students Office. 
    

5. Upon receipt of the final Investigation Report, the Assistant Dean of Students for Community Standards or their designee will create a Student Conduct Referral, which is a document outlining the alleged misconduct and the specific code violations. 
    

6. The Office of Community Standards will hold a hearing, under the procedures for cases of sexual misconduct, and the Hearing Board Members will render a decision. 
    

7. If applicable, the University will take disciplinary action against the accused Party if they are found to have violated the student code of conduct, Community Standards & Responsibilities. 
    

8. Both Parties will have an opportunity to appeal the hearing decision. 

Anyone — including students, faculty and staff — may report instances of sexual violence to the University Police Department (UPD) if the complaint is against a UAlbany student or employee.  

UPD conducts criminal investigations into such complaints to determine whether there has been a violation of New York State law. 

UPD is a non-confidential reporting option. Like other police departments and other non-confidential reporting options, they will send reports of sexual misconduct to the Office of Equity & Compliance (Title IX Coordinator).