What to Do if You Have Experienced Sexual Violence

What to Do if You Have Experienced Sexual Violence

Steps to Follow

Get to a safe place.

  • If you are in immediate danger, contact: 911
  • If you are using a cell phone in an emergency, call: 914-377-7777
    This emergency number is a direct line to the Yonkers Police Department.

Seek medical attention.

  • Take care to preserve any physical evidence.
  • Request a free, no-cost SLC Public Safety transport to the Westchester Medical Center Emergency Room 914-493-7307 for Forensic Acute Care Team (FACT) treatment, which offers medical and/or forensic evaluation of patients presenting signs of recent sexual abuse or assault.

Talk to a confidential support person.

  • Westchester Victims Assistance Hotline (24/7): 914-345-9111
  • SLC Health & Wellness Center (M-F, 9-5): 914-395-2350 

Please note: Other than the Health & Wellness Center staff, all College employees (including RAs) who become aware of a sexual assault at Sarah Lawrence College are required to report to the Title IX Coordinator. The College offices and employees who cannot guarantee confidentiality will still maintain your privacy to the greatest extent possible.  The information you provide to a non-confidential resource will be disclosed only as necessary to a select few College administrators for the Title IX Coordinator to investigate and/or seek a resolution.

When you report to the College (whether it be directly to the Title IX Coordinator or SLC Public Safety and Security), the College is not required or mandated to notify the local police department. It is your choice to determine if you wish to pursue legal action, which is a separate process from reporting to the College.

The College encourages you to report:

  • File a Preliminary Report online, which is sent to the Title IX Office, by clicking here
  • SLC Title IX Coordinator, Kristin Collado: kcollado@sarahlawrence.edu or titleix@sarahlawrence.edu or (914) 323-6138
  • SLC Public Safety and Security: (914) 395-2222/2209
  • Yonkers Police Department: (914) 377-7900

Please note: When you report to the College (whether it be directly to the Title IX Coordinator or SLC Public Safety and Security), the College is not required or mandated to notify the local police department. It is your choice to determine if you wish to pursue legal action, which is a separate process from reporting to the College.

The College encourages you to pursue:

  • SLC Formal Complaint Process |Title IX Office
  • Criminal Charges | Yonkers Police Department: (914) 377-7900
  • Westchester District Attorney's Office | Sex Crimes Division: (914) 955-4172

Please note: Members of the College staff are available to help you file a criminal report or discuss making a formal complaint.

Reporting Sexual Violence

The decision to report and seek help for sexual violence such as sexual assault, harassment, stalking or intimate partner violence is very personal and complex. SLC Reporting Options Chart.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 Sarah Lawrence Title IX Coordinator and is offered options regarding care, security, and reporting.
  • Sarah Lawrence College connects the identified victim with a Westchester Victims Assistance advocate.
  • 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 a no contact order. Sarah Lawrence College also convenes its Threat Assessment Team to conduct a campus risk assessment.
  • If the victim wishes to contact the police, Sarah Lawrence College will assist in making contact with the Yonkers Police Department. The Yonkers Police will then conduct their own investigation if the victim chooses to file a police report.

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

  • Title IX Coordinator, Kristin Collado: 914-323-6138
  • Public Safety & Security: 914-395-2209
  • Health & Wellness: 914-395-2350* (NOTE: Health & Wellness is a confidential resource who can help you explore your options)

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 make formal reports to the College and the police.

Coping with Sexual Violence

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.

Confidential support is available on campus at the Health and Wellness Center. If you have experienced sexual violence in any form, you may speak confidentially to a counselor whether or not you wish to report sexual violence to College officials or the police. Support is also available to you via WestCOP Victims Assistance or other rape or domestic violence crisis centers.

  • Sarah Lawrence College Health & Wellness Center: 914-395-2350
  • WestCOP Victims Assistance Services (VAS): 914-345-3113 or toll-free hotline 855-827-2255
  • RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)