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Immediate Help		Sexual Misconduct Brochure (pdf)

Have you just been sexually assaulted? Or are you not sure what has happened but you don’t like how it made you feel? Acts of sexual misconduct may be committed by a person of any gender against a person of any gender. If any sort of sexual contact has occurred, then the first priority is to take care of yourself. Let us help you.

• Go to a safe place. Call a friend, a harassment adviser, a residential life staff member or someone you trust to stay with you.
• Seek medical attention. To minimize harm to your body, please call the Colgate Student Health Center. Even if you don't have visible injuries, you should still have a medical examination and discuss the risk of exposure to sexually transmitted infections and the possibility of pregnancy resulting from the sexual assault. While your first impulse may be to bathe, this destroys evidence that will be important if you decide to press charges even at a much later date. Avoid showering, bathing, douching, changing clothes, or brushing your teeth. If you have already showered, or if days or weeks have passed since the assault, you should still get medical attention. Student Health Services provides medical examinations as well as confidential support during the recovery period following a sexual assault, whether it is recent or not. There is a health center professional on-call at all times. During business hours, call (315) 228-7750. After 5 pm, call Campus Safety at (315) 228-7333 and ask to speak with the health care professional on-call. You will not be required to file a report of the sexual assault to the police or campus safety in order to receive medical care at the hospital or the student health center. Don’t worry about insurance issues or whether your parents might find out. We will work that out with you.
• Report the incident to Campus Safety (315) 228-7333. Campus safety officers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are trained in assisting victims of sexual violence. Campus Safety can transport you to the emergency room to the Colgate Student Health Center, and also provides free transportation to or to a nearby hospital for access to a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). A friend and/or a harassment adviser can go with you. Do not worry about coming forward for fear of being charged with a violation of the Student Code of Conduct (such as underage drinking or drug consumption). You will not be subject to charges for behavior that is ancillary to the incident itself. Campus Safety can also assist you with making a report to the Hamilton Police Department. Contacting Campus Safety to report the incident or to request assistance does not mean you have to go forward with a complaint.
• Talk with a counselor. Colgate’s Counseling Center provides confidential support through an immediate crisis as well as over time. There is a counselor on call at all times. During business hours, call (315) 228-7385. After 5 pm, call Campus Safety at (315) 228-7333 and ask to speak with the counselor on-call. You do not need to provide any additional information.
• Talk with a university chaplain. Chaplains are available for confidential personal, crisis, or spiritual counseling. Call (315) 228-7682.
• Contact a harassment adviser. Advisers are a source of advice and referral to help you know your options and assist you through whatever process you choose. Contact information is below.

Remember, you do not have to go through this alone. Please call one of these resources and we will talk you through your options.

How to Help a Friend

Sexual misconduct is traumatic not only for the victim but also for the victim’s family and friends. As someone who cares, you want to help but may not know what to do. You can always call any of the support services listed on this web page for help and guidance for your friend and for yourself.

• Determine whether there are on-going safety/medical issues. Offer to accompany your friend in seeking medical attention, counseling, going to the police or to university resource personnel.
• Help them fill out a tip form. This may be found by going to the Campus Safety page on the Colgate website.
• Never hesitate to seek advice — call a harassment adviser. They can help walk you through what to do for your friend.
• Contact the student’s administrative adviser (dean). The dean is available to answer general or personal questions and can provide support. The dean may also assist with the adjusting of living arrangements, managing academic obligations, and helping the student connect with a counselor.
• Listen non-judgmentally to what your friend is saying and accept the experience as your friend describes it.
• Show them the sexual misconduct and sexual harassment policy online and discuss their options.
• Offer shelter or companionship so that your friend doesn’t have to be alone.
• Ask how you can help.
• Do not comment on what could have been done differently.
• Do not ask questions or make statements that imply that the assault was your friend’s fault.

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