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- Sexual Assault: You Are Not Alone
- Survivors of Sexual Assault
No one ever deserves to be assaulted, and persons who commit sexual assault do so out of a need to control, dominate, abuse, and humiliate.
We are here to help! If you would like to meet with someone from SOAR, please call the Campus Support Advisor at 718-990-8484. Voicemails will be responded to within two business days. If you need to talk with someone after hours, or for an urgent matter, please call our 24/7 Mental Health Helpline at 718-990-6352.
Contents:
Preface
St. John’s University is committed to supporting survivors of sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and/or stalking by providing the necessary safety and support services so that students can remain at St. John’s University, meet academic standards, obtain necessary health/mental health treatment, and maintain social relationships. This is written for survivors of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, stalking, and relationship violence, to provide support as well as important information about prohibited conduct, available resources on and off campus, and ways to file a complaint in order to assist survivors in the recovery process and in their efforts to heal from this unacceptable form of violence. If you have survived sexual misconduct or know someone who has, please be assured that there are people who care about what you have endured.
You are not alone in what happened to you, or in how you feel, no matter what form your experience took. It is important for you to know that the feelings, reactions, and questions you may be experiencing are similar to those of other people who have been victimized through no fault of their own. Sexual misconduct is never the fault of the victim. You are not to blame for what another person has done to you. You, as others have, can learn to regain a sense of power over your life. You may feel very isolated and alone, but there are resources and support available and people ready and able to help you.
While the needs and issues of different populations on campus may be unique, the resources, support and procedures apply to all students.
Whether you are an undergraduate student, a graduate student, a woman or man, identify as LGBTQ or cisgender or straight, you receive the same dedicated support and services at St. John’s University. Emotional support, counseling, advisement regarding your options, medical treatment, and academic assistance are all available. Please review this as the first step in understanding how St. John’s University can support you. If you have questions about this document please ask them of any of the support resources listed.
You have the right to make a report to Public Safety, the local law enforcement and state police or choose not to report; to report the incident to St. John’s University; to be protected by the University from retaliation for reporting an incident; and to receive assistance and resources from the University.
Emergency Medical Assistance
The first step in taking care of yourself is making sure you are physically well. Even if you do not have any visible physical injuries following an incident of any form of sexual assault, dating violence, intimate partner violence and/or stalking, there may be physical injuries that you cannot see. Medical and health centers can provide additional services such as testing for sexually transmitted diseases, evidence collection, and/or counseling. New York State has a network of hospitals with Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Programs. SAFE Programs have specially trained health professionals who provide medical care to patients who report sexual assault, including evaluation, treatment, referral and follow-up. Trained advocates may also be available to provide you with additional support and to guide you through the experience at the hospital.
Since evidence dissipates quickly, you may wish to preserve evidence are encouraged to seek medical attention within 48 hours (and no more than 96 hours) of the incident. Preservation of evidence is important for possible use in legal actions or requests for civil no-contact orders and/or orders of protection. If you choose to preserve evidence, it is important that you do not bathe, douche, brush your teeth or comb your hair.
Also, the clothes you were wearing may be held as evidence, so it is recommended that you bring a change of clothes with you to the hospital. Additionally, photographs may be taken of you, including anywhere there are bruises, scrapes or cuts. If you are unsure about participating in criminal prosecution, having the evidence preserved will help keep your options open. Taking the step to gather evidence immediately will not commit you to a specific course of action; you do not have to make a police report.
If you would like to receive medical care, you may call 911, call Public Safety at 718-990-5252, or visit one of the hospitals with SAFE programs listed on the next page. The University offers free transportation to and from a hospital for a SAFE examination.
Hospitals in New York with Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Programs
| Queens | |
|---|---|
| Elmhurst Hospital Center 79-01 Broadway Elmhurst, NY 11373 718-334-4000 | Queens Hospital Center 82-68 164th Street Jamaica, NY 11432 718-883-3090 |
| Brooklyn | |
|---|---|
| Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center 760 Broadway Brooklyn, NY 11206 718-963-8000 | Coney Island Hospital 2601 Ocean Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11235 718-616-3000 |
| Kings County Hospital Center 451 Clarkson Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11203 718-245-3131 | |
| Bronx | |
|---|---|
| North Central Bronx Hospital 3424 Kossuth Ave. & 210th St. Bronx, NY 10467 718-519-5000 | Jacobi Medical Center Pelham Pkwy & Eastchester Rd. Bronx, NY 10461 718-918-5000 |
| Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center 234 East 149th Street Bronx, NY 10451 718-579-5000 | |
| Manhattan | |
|---|---|
| Mount Sinai Medical Center 1 Gustave L. Levy Place New York, NY 10029 212-241-6500 | St. Luke’s Hospital 1111 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY 10025 212-523-4000 |
| New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell 525 East 68th Street New York, NY 212-746-5454 | Beth Israel Hospital Petrie Campus 1st Avenue & E. 16th Street New York, NY 10003 212-420-2000 |
| Roosevelt Hospital 1000 10th Avenue New York, NY 10019 212-523-4000 | Bellevue Hospital 462 First Avenue (E. 27th Street) New York, NY 10016 212-562-1000 |
| New York Presbyterian Hospital-The Allen Pavillion 5141 Broadway New York, NY 10034 212-305-2500 | Metropolitan Hospital Center 1901 First Avenue (between 97th & 99th Streets) New York, NY 10029 212-423-7000 |
| Harlem Hospital 506 Lenox Avenue New York, NY 10037 212-939-1000 | |
| Suffolk County | |
|---|---|
| Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center 1000 Montauk Highway West Islip, NY 11795 631-376-3000 | Mather Hospital 75 North Country Road Port Jefferson, NY 11777 631-473-1320 |
| Nassau County | |
|---|---|
| North Shore University Hospital 300 Community Drive Manhasset, NY 11030 516-562-4125 | |
| Staten Island | |
|---|---|
| Richmond University Medical Center 355 Bard Avenue Staten Island, NY 10310 718-818-1234 | |
Counseling and Support
Experiencing sexual assault, dating violence, intimate partner violence and/or stalking may bring up many different types of feelings that can be painful, confusing, and/or overwhelming. Obtaining support from family and friends can be very beneficial to your healing. In addition, enlisting support from a professional who is specially trained in working with survivors of sexual assault can also be helpful for recovery.
Often survivors may experience acute stress that may include a range of difficulties such as nightmares, flashbacks, numbness, and withdrawal from family and friends. In addition, survivors may sometimes blame themselves, feel upset about the reactions of their friends and/or family, feel ashamed and/or angry about what happened. These responses can make it difficult for some survivors to manage these feelings alone. Many survivors find comfort in sharing their story in a supportive and confidential environment. It is also possible to learn new coping skills and facilitate returning to activities that you find meaningful and important. You have a number of options if you would like to receive support. Both on and off campus resources are available to all survivors.
On-Campus Resources
Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has mental health professionals available to provide support and assistance. Services at the CAPS are free and confidential.
| Queens Campus |
|---|
| Marillac Hall Room 130 718-990-6384 |
Campus Support Advisor (CSA)
The Campus Support Advisor is a trained SJU Administrator who serves as a confidential resource to survivors. The CSA will provide information on SJU procedures, discuss all remedies available to you, and facilitate referrals for other needs you might have.
| All Campuses |
|---|
| 718-990-8484 |
Campus Ministry
Campus ministers are available for spiritual support and follow-up referrals.
| Queens Campus |
|---|
| Marillac Hall Room 239 718-990-6255 |
Student Health Services
Student Health Services also has staff available to provide medical assistance and support. Services are free and confidential.
| Queens Campus |
|---|
| DaSilva Hall First Floor 718-990-6360 |
Off-Campus Resources
24 Hour Free and Confidential Hotlines
New York State Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Hotline
Provides crisis intervention, shelter services, and referrals.
English: 800-942-6906
Spanish: 800-942-6908
New York City Domestic Violence Hotline
800-621-HOPE (4673)
LifeNet
Provides multilingual helpline for crisis intervention, mobile crisis team, and mental health referrals.
English: 800-LIFENET
Spanish: 877-AYUDESE
Mandarin/Cantonese/Korean: 877-990-8585
National Sexual Assault Hotline
800-656-HOPE (4673)
Safe Horizon Domestic Violence Hotline
800-621-4673
Safe Horizon Rape and Sexual Assault Hotline
212-227-3000
Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline
800-779-SAFE (7233)
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
800-273-8255
LGBTQ and HIV-Affected Victims Anti-Violence Project
212-714-1141
Queens
Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Program (SAVI) at Elmhurst Hospital
SAVI provides free and confidential support services for female and male victims of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence and relationship abuse.
718-334-1418
Safe Horizon
Safe Horizon’s community programs offer crisis intervention, case management, practical/emergency assistance, information and referrals, individual counseling, support groups, advocacy, and community/public education presentations.
718-899-1233
www.safehorizon.org
Queens Rape Counseling Center
Not-for-profit center providing individuals (ages 4+) who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and/or other trauma with outpatient psychotherapy, play/art therapy, and group counseling.
718-263-2013
Turning Point
Turning Point is a community based, nonprofit organization addressing the needs of Muslim women and children. Culturally and religiously sensitive staff provide free and confidential counseling, advocacy, and referral services for women and children affected by domestic violence.
718-883-9400
www.tpny.org
NY Asian Women’s Center
NY Asian Women’s Center helps women and their children overcome domestic violence and other forms of abuse by empowering them to govern their own lives. The Center provides a safe haven through multi-lingual support programs and shelter services.
888-888-7702
Brooklyn
New York City Children’s Centers (NYCCC): Brooklyn Behavioral Health Clinic
The BHC provides services to youth ages 5-21 that have exhibited mental health and/or behavioral challenges. The BHC also provides services to children and adolescents who have committed sexual crimes.
718-613-3055
CAMBA: Rape Crisis Services
CAMBA’s Rape Crisis Services & Hotline (RCS) helps victim survivors of rape and sexual assault and their families residing in Brooklyn. RCS offers services including accompanying victim survivors and family members to hospitals and/or police precincts (if requested) and to mental health counseling facilities.
718-287-2600
www.camba.org
Coney Island Hospital - Rape Crisis Program
Public hospital-based program offering counseling and medical services to victims of rape and sexual abuse who enter through Coney Island Hospital’s ER.
718-616-4213
Wyckoff Heights Medical Center - Rape Crisis Program
WHMC serves clients who are primary or secondary victims of domestic violence, sexual assault/rape or other crime. All services are free and confidential regardless of sex, gender expression or immigration status.
718-906-3857
Manhattan
Bellevue Hospital Center: Adult Survivors Of Rape and Sexual Assault Counseling Program
This is an outpatient clinic for adult (18+) survivors of rape or sexual assault that offers free individual counseling.
212-562-3755
Beth Israel Medical Center: Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Intervention
Program offers long and short-term counseling with social workers who have many years of experience working with trauma survivors and groups for survivors that meet periodically.
212-420-4516
Harlem Hospital: Center For Victim Support
Services include crisis counseling, advocacy, therapy, support groups, and information (referrals).
212-939-4613
Mount Sinai Medical Center: Adolescent Victims Program
An outpatient comprehensive mental and medical health service for adolescent survivors (ages 10-21) of sexual abuse and their family members.
212-423-2900
Mount Sinai Medical Center: Mt. Sinai SAVI: Survivors of Rape
This is part of the SAVI Rape Crisis program of Mt. Sinai Hospital. Offers individual counseling and groups sometimes.
212-423-2140
Manhattan
New York Presbyterian Hospital Domestic and Other Violent Emergencies (DOVE) Program
The DOVE Program provides free crisis intervention as well as short and long term individual and family counseling, and support groups.
212-305-9060
www.nyp.org/dove/
Safe Horizon: Rape Crisis Center
Provide short-term crisis counseling and advocacy for crime and trauma survivors who live in the Bronx. Advocacy includes entitlements assistance and assistance within the criminal justice system.
855-234-1042
www.safehorizon.org
Violence Intervention Program (VIP) Inc.
This organization specializes and focuses on Latina victims of domestic violence who are in need of culturally sensitive services to free themselves from their abusive relationships.
212-410-9080, ext.161
www.vipmujeres.org
Gay and Lesbian Antiviolence Project
AVP empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education, and supports survivors through counseling and advocacy.
212-714-1141
www.avp.org
New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center
Offers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week sexual assault and domestic violence counselors in the Emergency Department; short-term individual counseling.
212-746-4458
www.svfreenyc.org
Bronx
Fordham-Tremont Community Mental Health Center Family Crisis Services/Crime Victim Assistance Program
Not-for-profit mental health center that provides trauma survivors with therapeutic counseling, case management, crisis intervention, and psychiatric care.
718-960-0395
www.fordhamtremont.org
North Central Bronx Hospital: Sexual Assault Treatment Program
This is a 24 hour service that provides help to those who have been recently raped or sexually assaulted and reside in Bronx.
718-519-2121
Jacobi Medical Center-Family Advocacy Center
The Family Advocacy Center is dedicated to the identification, assessment and treatment of children and adolescents who have been sexually abused or physically abused and/or neglected.
718-918-4173
www.familyadvocacy.net
Nassau County
Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc.
AT THE SAFE PLACE
The Safe Center offers a broad spectrum of services from counseling to housing, from advocacy to referrals, etc. through a highly trained, compassionate staff of professionals qualified to provide the highest level of services to enhance the recovery of trauma victims and their non-offending family members.
516-465-4700
www.thesafecenterli.org
Suffolk County
Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (VIBS) Family Violence and Rape Crisis Center
VIBS provides hotline intervention, counseling, advocacy, court accompaniment, outreach, and community education.
631-360-3730
www.vibs.org
The Retreat – Domestic Violence Services
Services include a residential shelter, a 24/7 domestic violence crisis hotline, individual and group counseling, legal advocacy, and a violence prevention education program taught in local area schools. All services are provided free of charge.
631-329-4398 and -2200
www.theretreatinc.org
Staten Island
Safe Horizon Community Programs
Safe Horizon’s Community Programs offer crisis intervention, case management, practical/emergency assistance, information and referrals, individual counseling, support groups, advocacy, and community/public education presentations.
718-720-2591
www.safehorizon.org
Seamen’s Society for Children and Families: Safe Passage Program
Safe Passage is a non-residential domestic violence intervention program on Staten Island. Services include crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, legal services and parent/child support groups.
718-447-7740
888-837-6687 ext. 4792
www.seamenssociety.org
Students' Bill of Rights
In compliance with NYS Law 129-B addressing sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, St. John’s University students have the following rights:
- Make a report to local law enforcement and/or NY State Police
- Have disclosures of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault treated seriously
- 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 University
- Participate in a process that is fair, impartial, and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard
- Be treated with dignity and receive from the University courteous, fair, and respectful health care and counseling services, where available
- 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
- Describe the incident to as few University representatives as practicable and not be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident
- Be protected from retaliation by the University, any student, the accused and/or the respondent, and/or their friends, family, and acquaintances within the jurisdiction of the University
- Access to at least one level of appeal of a determination
- Be accompanied by an advisor of choice who may assist and advise a reporting individual, accused, or respondent through the conduct process including during all meetings and hearings related to such process
- Exercise civil rights and practice of religion without interference by the investigative, criminal justice, or judicial or conduct process of the University
Supportive Measures
The following supportive measures are available to all students who are victims of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and/or stalking regardless if he or she chooses to file a report or discloses the incident confidentially to members of the Center for Counseling and Consultation, Health Services, or Campus Support Advisor:
- Adjustments to class schedule, course load, postponed exams/assignments
- Excused absences, immediate withdrawal, options for independent study
- University housing/room change requests
- Adjustments to your campus work schedule
- Transportation assistance including security escorts
- Rearranging dining and study schedules
- Support for reporting to local law enforcement
- Referral to Health Services, Counseling Services
- Access to Community Resources
Students that report an incident to any mandated reporter (Public Safety, Employee or Faculty member) may also receive the following supportive measures:
- No Contact Order
A University document restricting either party from having any contact with each other until the conclusion of the student conducts process. Examples of unauthorized contact include, but are not limited to: phone calls, written or electronic correspondence, personal visits or messages sent through social networking sites. This restriction applies to both on and off campus interactions, as well as contact initiated by a third party on your behalf or at your request. - Protection From Retaliation
Retaliation for reporting any allegations of student misconduct is in itself a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. - Guidance through the University Conduct Process
- Limited access to specific University housing when the accused presents a continuing threat to the health and safety of the community or the complainant
- Interim suspension of the accused when he/she presents a continuing threat to the health and safety of the community or the complainant