Resources for Victims of Sexual Assault
Sexual assault, rape, and any form of sexual harassment are serious offenses that have no place in our society. The College is concerned about the personal safety and welfare of its entire community and strongly urges the reporting of any cases of sexual assault and rape. The whole community is responsible for maintaining a learning environment free of acts of sexual violence and misconduct. We encourage you to report any incident of sexual misconduct via the means described below.
Information will be treated with appropriate sensitivity and confidentiality. A number of people are available on campus with whom individuals can feel comfortable communicating information. The Vice President for Students, the Director of Counseling, and the Director of Health Services are especially prepared to address these matters and will provide support for sexual assault or rape victims.
Complaints of Sexual Misconduct can be filed with the Office of Security and Safety, the Office of Human Resources, the Vice President for Students, or the College’s Title IX Coordinator. Once conduct charges are filed, the process for resolving allegations of sexual misconduct, as well as the rights afforded to victims of sexual misconduct, can be found in the College’s Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Grievance Policy, located in the MSMC Student Handbook and the MSMC Employee Handbook at www.msmc.edu. Conduct proceedings are governed by the Mount Saint Mary College Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Grievance Policy, as well as Federal and NY State Law, including where applicable the due provisions of the US Constitution and NY State Constitution.
The Vice President for Students or his/her designee will review procedures for college judicial action and/or criminal prosecution with students who report that they have been victims of sexual misconduct.
Students' Bill Of Rights
All students have the right to:
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Make a report to campus security and/or to local law enforcement and/or state police;
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Have disclosures of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault treated seriously;
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Make a decision about whether or not to disclose a crime or violation and participate in the judicial or conduct process and/or criminal justice process, free from pressure from the institution;
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Participate in a process that is fair, impartial, and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard;
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Be treated with dignity and to receive from the institution courteous, fair, and respectful health care and counseling services, where available;
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Be free from any suggestions that the reporting individual is at fault when these crimes and violations are committed, or should have acted in a different manner to avoid such crimes or violations;
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Describe the incident to as few institution representatives as practicable and not to be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of an incident;
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Be protected from retaliation by the institution, any student, the accused and/or the respondent, and/or their friends, family, and acquaintances within the jurisdiction of the institution;
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Have access to a least one level of appeal determination;
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Be accompanied by an advisor of choice who may assist and advise a reporting individual, accused, or respondent throughout the judicial or conduct process including during all meetings and hearings related to such process; and
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Exercise civil rights and practice of religion without interference by the investigative, criminal justice, or judicial or conduct process of the institution.
If you are a victim of Sexual Misconduct:
Your safety and well-being is of utmost importance. You decide what to do after an incident of Sexual Misconduct. Victims of Sexual Misconduct are encouraged to take the following actions immediately:
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Find a place where you feel safe.
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Contact or have a friend contact one of the campus resources listed below.
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Go to a hospital emergency room. Security & Safety will provide transportation, if necessary.
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The hospital will collect medical evidence. Although you will want to, you should not shower, bathe, douche, or change clothes. You may want to bring a change of clothes with you in case what you are wearing is collected as evidence.
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If you have access to the area where the assault occurred, leave it as is until the police can investigate.
On-Campus Resources
- Confidential Resources
- Counseling Services:* 845-569-3115
- Campus Ministry:* 845-569-3154
- Heath Services:* 845-569-3152
- Private Resources
- Office of Security & Safety: 845-569-3200
- Office of Student Affairs: 845-569-3110
- Residence Life: 845-569-3111
- Title IX Coordinator: 845-569-3641 (Alisha Williams-McCorvey, TitleIXCoordinator@msmc.edu, Hudson Hall 115)
- Deputy Title IX Coordinator: 845-569-3638 (Margaret Kemp, Margaret.Kemp@msmc.edu, Aquinas Hall 100C-3)
*Counseling Services, Campus Ministry, and Health Services are confidential resources and are NOT required to share reports of sexual misconduct with the College’s Title IX coordinator. Private resources are offices and employees that cannot guarantee confidentiality but will maintain your privacy to the greatest extent possible. The information you provide to a private resource will be relayed only as necessary for the College to investigate and/or seek resolution.
Off-Campus Confidential Resources
- Fearless!: 845-562-5340 | Website
- SAPA-Orange County Sexual Assault Prevention and Advocacy: 800-832-1200
- Educational Peer Support Group for Female Survivors of Sexual Assault and Rape: 845-342-2400 ext. 224
- Clinical Support Group for Adult Survivors of Incest and Rape: 845-496-4916
- House of Hope: 845-765-0294
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network): 800-656-HOPE
For more information regarding the College’s statement and procedures on Sexual Misconduct, please visit the MSMC Student Handbook and/or the MSMC Employee Handbook at www.msmc.edu.