Help A Friend

While it is important to know that you are never responsible for the mental, emotional, or physical health of a person who has experienced sexual violence, often, the most valuable advice comes from a friend, roommate, parent, or community member that person knows and trusts. If someone you know in the Springfield College community has experienced sexual misconduct, we can help connect you to resources that you can share, as well as support you through the process.

Secure

Confirm the individual’s immediate safety: “Are you safe right now?” If necessary, call 911 or help them plan to get to a safe space.
Your job is not to investigate or to judge. Your only responsibility is to refer the person to trained professionals who can provide assistance and/or intervention.

Report

Students and Community Members:

If a friend discloses that they've experienced sexual misconduct, it's important to know that who else they tell may impact the process. All Springfield College employees, including faculty, staff, and administrators are required to report incidents of sexual misconduct, unless they are identified as a confidential resource. That means, if you or that person tell a faculty or staff member, they are required to file a report with the Office of Title IX. Not sure who to talk to? The list below can help you identify both confidential and non-confidential resources, and how they can help you and/or your friend through the process.

Faculty and Staff:

All Springfield College employees, including faculty, staff, and administrators, are required to report incidents of sexual misconduct, unless they are identified as a confidential resource. If someone has come to you to disclose sexual misconduct:

Explain your reporting responsibilities to the person before they begin, letting them know that you have a duty to file a report with the College.
If the incident alleged involved sexual misconduct by a faculty member, staff member, or third party, contact Deputy Title IX Coordinator Sue Nowlan at (413) 748-3922 or snowlan@springfield.edu.
If the incident involved alleged sexual misconduct by a student contact Deputy Title IX Coordinator Sue Nowlan at (413) 748-3922 or snowlan@springfield.edu.

On and Off-Campus Resources

Confidential Resources

These resources allow individuals seeking to talk to someone about an incident of gender-based misconduct in a confidential manner without making a report to the College or triggering any investigation.

SUPPORT

On Campus Support

Counseling Center – 413.748.3345

Counselors are available during regular office hours. To reach a counselor after business hours, call Public Safety at 413.748.5555 and ask for the counselor on call.

For Employees: Employee Assistance Plan: 1.800.252.4555

Off Campus Support

YWCA of Western Massachusetts – 413.733.7100

24/7 Confidential crisis hotline including support and advocacy for domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

MEDICAL

To preserve evidence of sexual assault, if you have not already done so, do not shower or brush teeth. Place clothes, sheets, etc. into paper bag and bring to hospital.

Baystate Medical Center – (413) 794-3233
Mercy Medical Center – (413) 748-9000

Specialized sexual assault exams including evidence collection, preventative treatment for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.

Health Center – (413) 748-3175

Services are available during regular office hours. Provides health services including sexually transmitted infection testing and emergency contraception.

Non-Confidential Resources

These resources provide and connect individuals to resources including academic, housing, health, safety, and emotional support. If one of these resources is utilized and an act of gender-based misconduct is alleged it will result in a report to the College, and may trigger a formal investigation. Although not confidential, resources are considered “private.” Information is shared with limited key administrators on a need-to-know basis.

SAFETY

Springfield College Department of Public Safety: (413) 748-5555

24/7 emergency services, including access to a trained sexual assault investigator.

Springfield Police Department: (413) 787-6302

Individual Rights:

An individual who has experienced gender-based misconduct has the right to choose whether to file a police report or not.
Reporting the incident to the Springfield Police Department does not mean that an individual has to take the offender to court.

CAMPUS SUPPORT

Administrator on Call: (413) 748-5555

24/7 support for emergency residential charges and access to support services

Office of Student Affairs: (413) 748-3922

Can assist with connection to resources and safety planning

Office of Housing and Residence Life: (413) 748-3102

Can assist with alternative housing.