Area Resources

Wells College encourages all community members to make a prompt report of any incident of sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking or intimate partner violence to local law enforcement and the College. The College recognizes that deciding whether or not to make a report, to either Wells College or law enforcement, and choosing how to proceed can be a difficult decision. All individuals are encouraged to seek the support of campus and community resources regardless of where the incident occurred. These trained professionals can provide guidance to either party in the event that a report and/or resolution under this policy is pursued.

As detailed below there are a number of resources available both on and off of campus. There are confidential resources, which by law cannot share information without the consent of the individual seeking assistance. There are also a variety of College resources that will be discreet and private but are not considered confidential. The privacy of an individual's information will be maintained within the limited circle of those involved in the resolution of a complaint under this policy.

Confidential Resources

All community members are encouraged to make a prompt report of any incident of sexual misconduct to local law enforcement and the College. Should any individual not be prepared to make a report, or may be unsure of what happened, but is still seeking information and support, there are several legally protected confidential resources available. These confidential resources will not share information with the College or anyone else without the individual's permission.

On Campus Confidential Resource:

Community Medical Center
The Community Medical Center is open five days a week, 8am to 6pm. Counselors are available during these times and can assist and support individuals in need of a confidential resource.
 (315) 364-3273

Off Campus Confidential Resource:

Sexual Assault Victim's Advocate Resource (S.A.V.A.R.)
SAVAR offers services to survivors of all forms of sexual violence. Provides a 24 hour hotline with certified rape crisis counselors/advocates. They will answer any questions, help sort out feelings, refer individuals to appropriate resources, accompany individuals through the process of reporting a sexual assault if they should wish to do so, and with seeking appropriate treatment.
(315) 364-9795 - Main Office
(315) 252-2112 - Sexual Assault Hotline

Confidential Medical Resources

A medical provider can provide emergency and/or follow-up medical services. The medical exam has two goals: first, to diagnose and treat the full extent of any injury or physical effect (including prevention of sexually transmitted illnesses and pregnancy) and second, to properly collect and preserve evidence. There is a limited window of time (within 96 hours) following an incident of sexual assault to preserve physical and other forms of evidence. Taking the step to gather evidence immediately does not commit an individual to any particular course of action. The decision to seek timely medical attention and gather any evidence, however, will preserve the full range of options to seek resolution under this policy or through the pursuit of criminal prosecution. All hospitals in the state of New York are required to provide care for victims of sexual assault in the Emergency Department.

Hospitals in the Area:

Auburn Community Hospital
(315-255-7011)
17 Lansing Street, Auburn NY 13021

Cayuga Medical Center
(607-274-4011)
101 Dates Drive, Ithaca NY 14850

Cayuga Medical Center provides a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) for examinations. This program employs a team approach to assist survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and rape with medical, emotional, and legal needs. With the survivor's consent, a team of nurses, sexual assault counselors/advocates, doctors, and law enforcement work together to support the survivor.

New York State Department of Health designated Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) hospitals provide specialized care to victims of sexual assault.

The goals of the SAFE program are to:

• Provide timely, compassionate, patient-centered care in a private setting that provides emotional support and reduces further trauma to the patient;
• Provide quality medical care to the patient who reports sexual assault, including evaluation, treatment, referral and follow-up;
• Ensure the quality of collection, documentation, preservation and custody of physical evidence by utilizing a trained and New York State Department of Health certified sexual assault forensic examiner to perform the exam;
• Utilize an interdisciplinary approach by working with rape crisis centers and other service providers, law enforcement and prosecutors' offices to effectively meet the needs of the sexual assault victim and the community;
• Provide expert testimony when needed if the patient chooses to report the crime to law enforcement; and,
• Improve and standardize data regarding the incidence of sexual assault victims seeking treatment in hospital emergency departments.

The hospital and the Rape Crisis Program will not report the crime to police, unless the individual wants the crime reported. Reporting is survivor's choice. An individual can also refuse any step of the evidence collection process. This is also their choice.

The hospital will not release evidence to the police without the individual's written consent and will hold the evidence for 30 days in case they decide later to make a police report.

SAFE Hospitals in the Area:

St. Josephs Hospital Health Center
(315-448-5111)
301 Prospect Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13203

University Hospital SUNY Health Science Center
(315-464-5540)
750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210