Below you will find questions you might have about sexual assault, reporting procedures, and the Committee on Standards (COS) Hearing process. If you have further questions, you should contact the Sexual Assault Awareness Program (SAAP) coordinators.
Sexual abuse can come in many forms. Sexual abuse can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, class or religious background. Put simply, sexual abuse is any form of non-consensual sexual contact. In order to better understand the wide range of personal violences that can occur, some common types of sexual abuse can be found in the navigation pane on the right.
It is important to understand the possible stages of sexual assault as they occur in non-stranger situations: Intrusion, Desensitization, and Isolation. Understanding these stages helps to clarify how the societal misconceptions can create a false sense of how sexual assault is perpetrated.
Click HERE to learn more about sexual abuse.
It is important to seek help if you are unsure about what may have happened. Contact a SAAP Coordinator or a SAPA to discuss and address your concerns.
It is important to listen non-judgmentally and believe your friend or partner. You can point your friend or partner to valuable resources, such as the SAAP coordinator. Navigate to the Get Help For My Friend and Get Help For My Partner section of this website for useful tips to help your friend.
It is important to direct your friend to campus resources, such as a Counselor at Dick's House or their Undergraduate Dean. Your friend will want to become familiar with Judicial Affairs' Committee on Standards (COS) process and understand Dartmouth College's Policy on Sexual Misconduct. Your friend can also educate him/herself about sexual assault by searching information on this and other websites. Navigate the Get Help For My Friend to understand ways in which you can help your friend.
Yes. It is against Dartmouth College's Sexual Misconduct Policy to engage in sexual activity with someone who is mentally or physically incapacitated, and therefore incapable of giving consent. Alcohol may cause such a state of incapacitation. However, it varies on a case by case basis. Simply put, it is not advisable for a variety of reasons to engage in sexual activity while intoxicated. When one or both parties are intoxicated, people tend to misinterpret another's sexual intentions and often proceed before the issue of consent has been clarified. If you have further questions, contact the Sexual Assault Awareness Program coordinator for more information.
You can find information on the Committee on Standard (COS) hearing process from the Undergraduate Judicial Affairs Office. You should also reach out to your Undergraduate Dean for additional resources and help navigating the COS process AND a Counselor at Dick's House for emotional support.
There are a variety of ways you can get involved on campus. Click HERE to find out more.
The Sexual Assault Awareness Program office is located in 37 Dewey Fld. on the 4th floor in the Department of Student Health Promotion & Wellness (in between Dick's House and the McLaughlin Cluster) at:
37 Dewey Fld.Student Health Promotion & Wellness, 4th floorAre you safe? Your safety is the highest priority. You can phone the Department of Safety & Security (DOSS) 24/7 at (603) 646-4000 to obtain emergency assistance. DOSS officers are trained to respond to cases of sexual assault and will ensure your safety immediately. DOSS can provide a “no questions asked” ride to your room, Dick’s House or DHMC. Consider seeking medical attention immediately.
Click Get Help to learn more about ways you can get help immediately.
If you have been sexually assaulted, it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible. Your need for treatment is, and should be considered, an emergency even if there are no visible signs of physical injury. Taking care of your health at this time is an important step in the healing process and could provide you with more options later. It is important to seek medical care in order to:
A Sexual Assault Awareness Program Coordinator can provide confidential support and guidance specific to your needs. The coordinators are trained to provide support specific to cases of sexual assault. You can speak to a coordinator anonymously, and you are not required to report an incident or pursue charges of any sort.
Sexual Assault Peer Advisors (SAPAs) are current students trained to support victims of sexual assault.
Yes. You can provide as little or as much detail of yourself, your experience or a friend's experience anonymously to a SAPA, SAAP Coordinator, Safety & Security Officer, Hanover Police Officer, or Judicial Affairs Officer. Click HERE to find out more about reporting procedures.
Learn about reporting procedures here.
Please view the Hanover Police and Safety & Security resource video.
Read the Handbook for Students Involved in Assault Cases: A Guide to the Committee on Standards Process to learn about the Committee on Standard (COS) process.
Safety and Security is available to respond to your call 24/7 at (603) 646-4000.
As always, contact a SAAP coordinator with any questions.
