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What Resources Are Available to You if You Are Sexually Assaulted?
- Campus Police officers trained to assist victims and investigate sexual assaults
- Counseling Services at Health Services
- Cooley Dickinson Hospital
- The Northampton Police Department
- The Office of the Dean of the College, Dean of Students, and Class Deans
- Student Organizations (SAFE, AWARE)
- Victim/Witness Assistance Unit at the District Attorney's office in Northampton
Students may be able to change their academic and living situations after a sexual assault if needed. Requests for these changes are coordinated through the Dean of Students Office.
The Campus Police Department works in cooperation with Health Services and Residential Life to make sexual assault awareness programs available to houses. Workshops on self-defense, crime awareness, and rape prevention are offered on campus. Rape awareness information is included as part of first-year orientation.
There are a number of resources available to Smith College students both on and off campus. These services may be used in any combination and it is important to recognize that actions taken on and off campus are not mutually exclusive. The most important thing is to find the resources that will provide the best support and direction towards recovery.
One such resource is the Everywoman's Center for which information is given below:
Everywoman's Center 24 Hour Hotline (Anonymous/ Confidential)
545-0800 or 1-888-337-0800 (for calls from a pay phone or out of the area)
This organization runs a state-certified rape crisis center with a 24-hour hotline for survivors of sexual assault. Located on the UMass campus, the Everywoman's Center trains Counselor/Advocates (CAs) who are on call to talk to survivors. A CA can assist the survivor while getting medical attention and/or reporting the crime to law enforcement agencies. In addition, a CA will be able to support the survivor and make them aware of the many options available. Finally, a CA will aid in the notification of the appropriate parties and can be an advocate and supporter during legal action.
The Everywoman's Center also provides educational programs and materials to the entire community.
Quick List of Resources:
Campus Police: x2490 if on campus, or 585-2490, if off campus. (24 hrs)
Emergencies: Call x800 only if on campus. (24 hrs)
Smith College Health Services: x2800 (the nurse will put you in touch with a sexual assault counselor) daily from 8 a.m. to midnight when the college is in session.
Counseling Services: x2840 daily from 8 a.m. to midnight when the college is in session.
Everywoman's Center, Amherst, MA: 24 hour hotline 545-0800; toll free hot line 1-888-337-0800
Dean of Students Office: x4940
Director of Residential Life: x4940 (On-call ACs are available through Campus Police 24 hours a day)
Office of Religious and Spiritual Life: x2750
Director of Human Resources: x2260
Cooley Dickinson Hospital: 582-2000 (24 hrs)
Northampton Police: 587-1100 (24 hrs) Emergencies only: 911
District Attorney Victim/ Witness Program: 586-5780
District Court Clerk's Office/Courthouse: 584-7400
Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Department of Public Health -
www.mass.gov/dph/fch/sapss/index.htm
Material in this resource guide has been provided with permission from Amherst College and Mt. Holyoke College.
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