Sexual Assault Compliance Statement

• Be aware of your surroundings
• Walk with confidence. The more confident you look, the stronger you appear.
• Don't let drugs or alcohol cloud your judgment.
  • Be assertive — don't let anyone violate your space.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave.
• Don't prop open self-locking doors.
• Lock your door and your windows, even if you leave for just a few minutes.
• Watch your keys. Don't lend them. Don't leave them. Don't lose them. And don't put your name and address on the key ring.
• Watch out for unwanted visitors. Know who's on the other side of the door before you open it.
• Be wary of isolated spots, like underground garages, offices after business hours, and apartment laundry rooms.
• Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route. Stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas.
• Have your key ready to use before you reach the door — home, car, or work.
• Park in well-lit areas and lock the car, even if you'll only be gone a few minutes.
• Drive on well-traveled streets, with doors and windows locked.
• Never hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker.
• Keep your car in good shape with plenty of gas in the tank. In case of car trouble, call for help on your cellular phone. If you don't have a phone, put the hood up, lock the doors, and put a banner in the rear mirror that says, "Help. Call police."
• Avoid drugs and excessive alcohol in a dating situation. Judgment should not be allowed to become impaired.

Reporting and Obtaining Assistance

1. Professional help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A member of the Hamilton College Counseling Center is on-call at all times. The Counselor On-Call (COC) can provide immediate crisis support and information about resources for survivors on and off campus. Contact the COC by calling x4340 during normal business hours. (x4000 after hours). This is a completely confidential service. Upon request, the COC will come to campus immediately.
2. Immediate help is also available through YWCA Rape Crisis Services (x5000 from any campus phone or 797-7740). Rape Crisis volunteers are trained and available by phone or to accompany survivors to the hospital or the police. This service is also confidential and is not connected with the College.
3. Medical attention should be sought as soon as possible following a sexual assault or rape. Not all injuries are immediately apparent. Contact the Hamilton Student Health Service (8:30-4:30 M-F), Hamilton's Emergency Medical Technicians (x4000), or go to the hospital Emergency Room for medical services. Transportation to the hospital can be arranged by request through the Office of Campus Safety or Student Health Service.
4. For any major injuries, as well as a rape examination (Physical Evidence Recovery Kit), go to the emergency room of St. Luke's Hospital. The rape examination allows evidence to be collected in case prosecution is desired at a later time. The examination should be conducted within 72 hours of the incident. It includes a pelvic examination and semen analysis; sexually transmitted disease testing; and treatment for possible infection, which may include taking an antibiotic. Do not bathe, shower, change or wash clothes, or douche – important evidence may be lost. You may wish to take a change of clothes with you to the hospital. Upon request, a volunteer from the YWCA Rape Crisis Service (x5000) will accompany you and will assist in managing the process. The evidence kit can be kept secure at the hospital for 30 days while you decide whether or not you wish to prosecute. The police will be called only if you wish to seek prosecution.
5. The hospital will never refuse services, but is required to bill your insurance company. The New York State Crime Victims Board will reimburse medical expenses, counseling services, and damage to personal property if you choose to pursue criminal prosecution.
6. Reporting to police is your choice. While you may not be certain now that you wish to press charges, failure to involve police at an early stage may limit later choices. Contact the Kirkland Police Department by calling (853-3311) or call Campus Safety (x4000) to request that the police come to campus to take a report. You may wish to request that a Rape Crisis advocate be present in order to provide support through the process. You may choose to meet the police in the Counseling Center or Student Health Service to preserve confidentiality.
7. Police will ask questions to establish facts and, if possible, to apprehend the suspect. Police or Rape Crisis Services staff can explain your legal options and provide information about likely consequences of legal actions.
8. If the assailant is a Hamilton College student, you may choose to file a complaint with the Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Board (Prof. Joseph Mwantuali, Chair, x4334) or the Dean of Students (Nancy Thompson, x4020). This can be done in conjunction with criminal prosecution or instead of it. The Chair, Board member, or Dean will explain the various options for on-campus follow-up. If you choose to file a formal complaint, the Dean and the Chair will meet with you to discuss the complaint and explain the process. If the respondent is found responsible for having violated the Harassment and Sexual Misconduct policy, the Committee will recommend a sanction that could range from a warning to permanent separation from the College.
9. Counseling is available on a free and confidential basis through Hamilton's Counseling and Psychological Services (x4340).
10. Incidents of sexual misconduct reported to any College employee, with the exception of Counseling Center and Health Center personnel, will be anonymously reported to the College and included in the College's annual crime statistics.
11. If the incident represents a serious threat to the community at large, the Dean of Students will issue a warning to the campus community, preserving the survivor's anonymity.