Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence and Stalking: Support and Reporting

Colby-Sawyer College prohibits sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and retaliation. Support is available to students and employees regardless of where an incident occurred or whether they choose to make a College report, contact law enforcement or participate in a formal process.

Consent is a voluntary, informed and uncoerced agreement communicated through freely given words or actions. Each participant must willingly and affirmatively choose to take part. Consent may be withdrawn or modified at any time. Consent to one activity does not mean consent to another, and a prior or current relationship does not establish consent. A person who is incapacitated cannot provide consent.

Complete definitions and College procedures are available in the Sex Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Grievance Procedures.

Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to health or safety or an urgent medical need.

Campus Safety: 603-526-3300
Available 24 hours a day

Thrive Survivor Support Center: 866-841-6229
Free and confidential support available 24 hours a day

Baird Health and Counseling Center: 603-526-3621
Confidential student health and counseling services during regular office hours

There is no single correct way to respond to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking. You may seek support without making a report or deciding whether to participate in a College or criminal process.

Consider moving to a location where you feel safe and contacting someone you trust. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or require emergency medical assistance. Campus Safety can assist with immediate safety needs, transportation and contacting medical providers, law enforcement or other resources when requested.

Following a sexual assault, prompt medical care can address injuries, evaluate possible exposure to sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy and preserve evidence that may be useful later. A forensic medical examination may be obtained without requiring you to pursue criminal charges or participate in a College disciplinary process.

You may contact:

• Baird Health and Counseling Center: 603-526-3621
• New London Hospital: 603-526-2911
• Campus Safety: 603-526-3300
• Emergency services: 911

People respond to trauma in many different ways. Reactions may be immediate or delayed and may include fear, anger, sadness, confusion, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep, numbness or no recognizable reaction. All responses are valid

Preserving evidence may be helpful even when you are unsure whether you want to make a report.

Following a sexual assault, consider avoiding bathing, showering, douching, brushing your teeth, changing or washing clothing or bedding, cleaning the location or otherwise altering possible evidence before receiving medical guidance. If you have already done any of these things, you may still receive medical care, obtain support, request a forensic examination or make a report.

Evidence of dating violence, domestic violence or stalking may include:

• text messages, emails and social media communications;
• voicemails, call histories and screenshots;
• photographs of injuries or property damage;
• gifts, letters or other items received;
• dates, times, locations and descriptions of incidents; and
• names of people who may have witnessed the conduct.

Save this information in a secure location when it is safe to do so. Campus Safety, law enforcement, a confidential advocate or a medical provider can offer additional guidance.

Confidential resources allow individuals to discuss their experiences, receive support and explore available options without making a report to the College, subject to applicable law and professional obligations.

Baird Health and Counseling Center

Baird Health and Counseling Center counselors provide confidential services to Colby-Sawyer students. When acting within their professional counseling roles, counselors are not Campus Security Authorities for Clery reporting purposes.

Phone: 603-526-3621

Thrive Survivor Support Center

Thrive provides free and confidential support to people affected by sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking.

24-hour hotline: 866-841-6229
Text support: 603-606-9766 during designated weekday hours

Most College employees are not confidential resources and may be required to share information about possible sexual misconduct with the Title IX Coordinator. Employees should explain any reporting responsibility that applies to their role.

You may report sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking or other possible sexual misconduct to:

• the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator;
• the Department of Campus Safety;
• another College employee with reporting responsibilities; or
• the College through the Sexual Misconduct Report Form.

Submitting a report notifies the College of a concern. The Title IX Coordinator will contact the affected individual, explain available supportive measures and reporting options and provide information about applicable resolution procedures.

Making a report does not automatically require the affected individual to participate in an investigation, hearing or criminal process. Supportive measures may be available even when the individual does not request a formal College disciplinary process.

Reports may also be submitted anonymously. An anonymous report is not the same as a confidential disclosure, and limited information may restrict the College’s ability to investigate or respond. Anonymous reporting does not satisfy an employee’s reporting responsibilities under applicable College policy.

• File a Sexual Misconduct Report
• Contact the Title IX Coordinator
• View Title IX Contacts

You have the right to notify law enforcement, ask the College for assistance in contacting law enforcement or decline to notify law enforcement.

College and criminal processes are separate. You may pursue both processes at the same time, pursue one without the other or request supportive measures without participating in either process. Campus Safety can assist you in contacting the appropriate law enforcement agency but will not require you to make a criminal report.

New London Police Department: 603-526-2626
Campus Safety: 603-526-3300
Emergency: 911

Incidents occurring outside New London should generally be reported to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction where the incident occurred. Campus Safety can help identify and contact the appropriate agency.

Supportive measures are individualized services intended to protect safety, preserve access to the College’s educational programs and activities and deter further misconduct. They are provided without fee or charge when reasonably available and may be requested regardless of whether a formal complaint, College disciplinary process or criminal report is pursued.

Depending on the circumstances, supportive measures may include:

• counseling and referrals to appropriate services;
• extensions of deadlines or other academic adjustments;
• changes to class or work schedules;
• changes to housing or work locations;
• campus safety escorts;
• restrictions on contact between individuals;
• transportation-related assistance;
• voluntary leaves of absence;
• increased security or monitoring of campus areas; and
• other appropriate measures based on individual circumstances.

Requests for supportive measures may be made to the Title IX Coordinator or another appropriate College official. The College will protect the privacy of supportive measures to the extent reasonably possible while still being able to provide them.

Learn About Supportive Measures

When someone shares that they have experienced sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking:

• listen without judgment;
• believe them and acknowledge what they have shared;
• remind them that what happened was not their fault;
• ask what type of support would be helpful;
• help them reach a safe location or contact medical care, a confidential advocate, Campus Safety or the Title IX Coordinator if they choose;
• respect their decisions and do not pressure them to report; and
• continue offering support without taking control of their choices.

Avoid questioning why the person responded in a particular way or asking for unnecessary details. Trauma can affect memory, communication and decision-making differently for each person.

College employees should explain any reporting responsibilities that apply to their position and promptly share required information with the Title IX Coordinator. Confidential employees should follow the legal and professional obligations applicable to their roles.

Colby-Sawyer provides primary prevention and awareness education to incoming students and new employees, along with ongoing prevention and awareness programming for students and employees throughout the year.

Programming addresses:

• consent and sexual respect;
• healthy relationships;
• sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking;
• warning signs and abusive behaviors;
• safe and positive bystander intervention;
• risk reduction and personal safety;
• College policies and reporting options; and
• campus and community support resources.

Programming may include online education, new-student orientation, facilitated discussions, bystander-intervention education, healthy-relationship programming, personal-safety education and campus awareness activities such as the Clothesline Project. Prevention programming is supported by several College departments and community partners.

The information on this page summarizes available support and reporting options. It does not replace or modify the College’s complete policies or applicable grievance procedures.

• Sex Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Grievance Procedures
• Sexual Misconduct Report Form
• Title IX Contacts
• Supportive Measures
• Campus and Community Resources
• Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report
• Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence and Stalking Prevention
• New Hampshire Crime Victims’ Rights