If you choose to report in a non-confidential manner, students may reach out to the Title IX Team, any member of the Residence Life Staff, or to Paxton Police.

In certain instances, you may want to begin by reporting in a confidential manner. Students can reach out to the following people for a confidential report:

Kelly Sullivan, MSW, LICSW

Director of Counseling Services

Social Work

(508) 849-3227

ksullivan@annamaria.edu

Bio

Fr. Stephen Lundrigan Th.M., Psy.D.

College Chaplain and Dean of Mission

Campus Ministry

508-849-3280

slundrigan@annamaria.edu

Bio

Jessica Hitchcock NP-C

Director of Clinic Services

Health Services

jhitchcock@annamaria.edu

Colin Ponzani, MSW, LCSW

Mental Health Counselor

Counseling Services

508-849-3303

Cponzani@annamaria.edu

Students wishing to file an anonymous report may do using the Incident Reporting Form. The Incident Reporting Form allows students anonymity while still allowing for members of our community to report Title IX violations. Please keep in mind that while we understand and respect your decision to report anonymously, anonymous reporting may restrict the College’s ability to investigate.

Click here to access the Incident Reporting Form.

Vector Solutions is an online training that is required of all students annually.  This training promotes a culture of respect and understanding and is designed to help prepare college students for issues they may confront at college.

Each year during new student orientation there are a variety of Title IX related presentations and guest speakers. This year’s presentations included an introduction to Title IX, alcohol on campus, a joint presentation with Student Affairs and Paxton Police and “The Dating Doctor”.

Now in its third year on campus, Bringing in the Bystander® is an evidence-based bystander intervention program. Rather than focusing strictly on the roles of perpetrator and victim, the highly interactive Bringing in the Bystander® curriculum uses a community responsibility approach. It teaches bystanders how to safely intervene in instances where sexual violence, relationship violence or stalking may be occurring or where there may be risk that it will occur.

This program is currently administered in all First Year Seminar courses.

The One Love Foundation is a national non-profit organization with the goal of ending relationship abuse. One Love focuses on empowering college students with the tools and resources necessary to recognize both healthy and unhealthy relationships. We currently offer two One Love training options and are in the process of adding a third.

Escalation is a film that tells a moving story of an abusive relationship. The film highlights unhealthy behaviors that escalate into a violent end. The Escalation Workshops consists of a film screening and a guided discussion.

At Anna Maria we are always looking to add to our list of trained Title IX advisors. If you are interested in attending a training please contact Corina Hendea, Director of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator, chendea@annamaria.edu.

As part of our commitment to educating and serving the needs of the Anna Maria College community, and in compliance with the requirements of Title IX, the Title IX Team has completed the following trainings and is commitment to continuing their training efforts moving forward:

• Association for Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA) Gehring Academy Advances Sexual Misconduct Institute
• Bowditch & Dewey Title IX Training
• Grand River Solutions Title IX Hearing Board Training
• Trauma Informed Response Training

After an assault we know that receiving both medical and emotional care can make a difference in terms of your well-being. Below are recommended steps to follow after an assault has occurred:

1. Get to a safe place
2. Preserve evidence
   1. Anyone who has experienced sexual violence is encouraged to take steps to preserve evidence. Doing this may prove to be beneficial in proving that criminal activity has occurred and could be necessary for obtaining protective orders via the courts.
   2. Save any electronic communications you may have had with the perpetrator. This could include photos, videos, text messages, social media posts, etc.
   3. Avoid showering, drinking, eating or brushing your teeth. Don’t throw away any clothing or objects that could contain physical evidence. Save every article of clothing worn during the incident (don’t launder them first) and place them into a paper bag (not plastic), if available. If you choose to go to the hospital, bring the bag with you.
3. Follow up on both your physical and mental health
   1. Physical Health:
      1. It is strongly encouraged that you seek medical treatment at a local hospital or through the Anna Maria College Health Center as soon as possible.
      2. Often times medical treatment is more effective if taken within a few days of an incident occurring. This includes things such as preventative treatment for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, evidence collection, toxicology testing, etc.
      3. Trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) are specially trained, certified professionals skilled in performing quality forensic medical-legal exams.
      4. SANE Nurse Resources
   2. Mental Health:
      1. Seeking support for your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
      2. You are encouraged to utilize 24 hour resources (link to list) and/ or connect with a member of the Anna Maria College Counseling Center.
      3. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency you are encouraged to contact the Residence Director on Call or Paxton Police for immediate support.
4. Consider your reporting options
   1. At Anna Maria students have a variety of reporting options available. How and when to report is your choice. We recognize that not everyone may choose to report. If you do, you may choose to make a confidential, non-confidential, or an incident reporting form.

As a friend or family member of someone who has been assaulted you are in a position to provide much needed support. However, this can also be a difficult process for you as well. Remember that it may be important for you to seek out support as well to help you be there for those you care about during such a difficult time.

Below are tips on how to respond if a friend or family member has experienced sexual misconduct or relational violence:

1. Thank them for confiding in you.
2. Ensure they feel safe.
3. Encourage medical care.
4. Encourage counseling and emotional support. Provide them with supportive resources.
5. Remind them this is not their fault.
6. Practice empathy.
7. Resist asking “why” questions or pressing them for details regarding the incident.
8. Let them be in control. They can make the decisions which they believe are best for them. This is different for each individual.
9. Ask what they may need from you.
10. Remind them of confidential resources.
11. Offer to help connect them to support, resources and reporting options.
12. Respect their privacy.
13. Monitor your own feelings and need for support.

In addition to providing educational training related to Title IX there are also several additional ways for students to engage peer to peer around the topic.

AMCat Support Network
Anna Maria is excited to offer a new opportunity to students for personal and professional growth. The AMCat Support Network (ASN) is a training program for students that enhances student awareness of Mental Health and Wellness within the AMC community. ASN members will learn to identify, reach out to, and assist other students in need.

If you are interested in participating in the program, please complete the form found here to provide us with your contact information. This form does not indicate a commitment to the program. Once we have your information, we will be sending out details about “next steps”.

If you have any questions regarding the AMCat Support Network please contact Edie Sherburne at esherburne@annamaria.edu.

Students Against Sexual Violence (SASV)

Social Action Club

These local, state, and national services provide confidential support 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

Pathways for Change
A Counselor is always available offering crisis intervention, counseling, referrals, support (including at the hospital) and information. Please contact them at (800) 870-5905.

UMass Memorial University Campus Emergency Mental Health
The UMass Memorial Campus Emergency Mental Health organization is available at (508) 856-3562.

Violence Recovery Program
LGBT Services, located in Boston, is available at (800) 834-3242 during office hours or at (877) 785-2020 (Safelink) after office hours.

National Domestic Violence Hotline
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, please contact the domestic violence hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (7233).

National Sexual Assault Hotline
The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available at (800) 656-HOPE (4673).

Stalking Hotline
If you believe you are being stalked, you can contact the Stalking Hotline at (800) 394-2255.

Samaritans
Samaritans Suicide Prevention Hotline is available at (877) 870-4673.

GLBT Helpline
The GLBT Helpline is available at (888) 340-4528.

These hospital emergency rooms have SANE nursing to provide confidential, compassionate, comprehensive, expert forensic nursing care to survivors of sexual assault at no charge.

UMass Memorial Hospital ER
If you have an emergency you can contact the UMass Memorial Hospital Emergency Room at (508) 344-6481.

UMass Memorial University Campus ER
If you have an emergency you can contact the UMass Memorial University Campus Emergency Room at (508) 344-3511.

St. Vincent Hospital ER
You can contact the St. Vincent Hospital ER at (508) 363-6025.

These resources can assist with court advocacy issues.

Victim Witness Program
If you are looking for an advocate from the District Attorney’s Office, please contact (508) 755-8601.

These resources can assist with legal assistance or information.

Community Legal Aid
You can contact Community Legal Aid at (855) 252-5342

Victim Rights Law Center
To learn more about your rights as a victim, please contact (617) 399-6720.

Violence Recovery Program (LGBT Advocacy)
For assistance from the Violence Recovery Program, please contact (800) 834-3242.