Victims/Survivors Of Sexual Violence

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS/SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

If you have been subjected to sexual violence (including sexual assault; dating, domestic and intimate partner violence; stalking and/or voyeurism)

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT
•    to make a report to campus security, local law enforcement, &/or state police or choose not to report
•    to report the incident to the College
•    to receive assistance and resources from the College
•    to be protected by the College from retaliation for reporting an incident
 

STAY SAFE AND PRESERVE EVIDENCE

1.    GET TO A SAFE PLACE. If you are being stalked or threatened, or are concerned about your personal safety, call Public Safety at 646.664.8600, the NYC Police Department at 911, or go to a police station or hospital.

2.    CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. Call the CUNY SPS Counseling Services at 646.664.8647 or Public Safety at 646.664.8600 or the NYC Police. A public safety officer or counseling staff member can accompany you to a hospital or police station.

3.    SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. From a listed Resource or at an Emergency Room. These Resources can provide treatment for injuries and for possible exposure to sexually transmitted diseases or emergency contraception.

4.    PRESERVE ANY PHYSICAL EVIDENCE. You can decide whether to press charges later, but you can only preserve physical evidence now. Many NYC hospitals have specially trained “sexual assault forensic examiners” (SAFE) who gather evidence usable in court. SAFE exams are free, and you can stop them at any time if you are not comfortable. If possible, avoid drinking, eating, showering, brushing teeth, combing hair or changing clothes before seeing a SAFE. But if you have done any of these things, evidence can still be collected, and it remains important to seek medical attention. Evidence collection does not require you to make a police report or press charges, it just preserves these options.  

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY

Confidentiality. Some Resources can provide confidentiality; they are not required to report incidents to the Title IX Coordinator or other CUNY SPS or law enforcement officials. These Resources generally include licensed health care providers, rape crisis counselors and clergy.

Privacy. Many CUNY SPSH faculty and staff are legally obligated to notify the Title IX Coordinator. Those who cannot guarantee confidentiality will maintain your privacy to the greatest extent possible and share information only on a need-to- know basis. The information you provide to a non-confidential resource will be shared only as needed to investigate or seek a resolution.

Confidential Resources and Private Resources are available on an emergency basis. You may speak with a trained Resource who can provide information about your options, confidentiality and privacy, preserving evidence and obtaining a sexual assault forensic examination, and the differences between the criminal justice process and CUNY processes. 

Please remember that criminal proceedings and campus proceedings are different: only law enforcement officials, such as the NYPD or DA’s Office, can advise whether specific conduct violates criminal laws.