Sexual Violence Prevention & Support

If you have experienced sexual violence in any form, you may speak confidentially to a counselor at the Health & Wellness Center whether or not you wish to report sexual violence to College officials or the police.

• Health & Wellness Center
  914.395.2350
  Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Support is also available from these sources:

• WestCOP Victims Assistance Program Hotline (24/7)
  914.345.9111 or 855.827.2255
• Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program (SAAVE) Hotline (24/7)
  833.220.2444
• National Sexual Assault Hotline
  800.656.HOPE
• New York State Hotline for Reporting Sexual Assault
  844.845.7269

Survivors of sexual violence may experience a wide range of emotional reactions and psychological effects, including shock, denial, anxiety, guilt, anger, self-blame, nightmares, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, flashbacks, and depression. As a consequence, a survivor may want to seek professional assistance either on campus or at one of the local Rape Crisis Centers.

The decision to report and seek help for sexual violence such as sexual assault, harassment, stalking, sexual exploitation or intimate partner violence is very personal and complex. What are my options? (PDF)

When a member of the community reports sexual violence, Sarah Lawrence College takes the following steps to ensure student safety and maintain community security:

• The identified victim is contacted by the Title IX Coordinator and is offered options regarding care, security, and reporting.
• Sarah Lawrence College connects the identified victim with a WestCOP Victims Assistance Program advocate, if desired.
• If the name of the alleged perpetrator is revealed and they are a member of the College community, the identified victim is offered the option of no contact order. Sarah Lawrence College may also convene its Threat Assessment Team to conduct a campus risk assessment.
• If the identified victim wishes to contact the police, Sarah Lawrence College will assist in making contact with the Yonkers Police Department, the New York State Police, and/or the Westchester District Attorney’s Office. The police or District Attorney’s Office will then conduct their own investigation if the victim chooses to file a report. 

The College encourages survivors to report sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence. On campus reports can be made to:

• Using the Preliminary Report Form
• Title IX Coordinator, Kristin Collado, titleix@sarahlawrence.edu or kcollado@sarahlawrence.edu, my.slc.edu/safe, 914.323.6138, Andrews Annex, Room 102B
• Student Affairs: 914.395.2575
• Health & Wellness: 914.395.2350
• Dean of the College: 914.395.2303
• Public Safety & Security: 914.395.2209

Reports to the Yonkers Police Department can be made at 914.337.7900. Reporting sexual assault to the police department does not require you to pursue criminal charges. Members of the College staff are available to help you file a criminal report or discuss making a formal complaint.

For reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation, all students have the right to:

1. Make a report to local law enforcement and/or state police
2. Have disclosures of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault treated seriously
3. 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 by the institution
4. Participate in a process that is fair, impartial, and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard
5. Be treated with dignity and to receive from the institution courteous, fair, and respectful health care and counseling services, where available
6. Be free from any suggestion 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
7. Describe the incident to as few institution representatives as practicable and not be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident
8. 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
9. Access to at least one level of appeal of a determination
10. 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
11. Exercise civil rights and practice of religion without interference by the investigative, criminal justice or judicial or conduct process of the institution

my.slc.edu/safe offers more in depth information and a wide array of resources on the topic of sexual violence prevention and support, awareness events on campus, and bystander intervention techniques. All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to visit this site to learn more.

Sarah Lawrence College's policies on sexual harassment,sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation can be found in the Student Handbook.

Read the full procedure