Support, Resources and Reporting Options for Those Impacted by Sexual or Relationship Violence

Dear Students:

As we enter National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I want to take this opportunity to remind our returning students about and introduce our new students to the resources and support services available to assist individuals impacted by sexual and relationship violence.

In the Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services (Equal Opportunity and Title IX), we work with students, faculty and staff to cultivate a culture of respect, safety and equity. Please understand that you are not alone if you or someone you know is ever impacted by sexual or relationship violence. University and local resources are available to assist you with seeking immediate self-care, connecting to support resources and understanding the reporting process and options:

Seeking Immediate Self-Care

Support is always available—day and night.

• Seek medical attention.
  • 911 (emergency medical attention)
  • Barnes Center Health Care, 315.443.8000 (non-emergency medical attention)
• Talk to someone confidentially.
  • 24/7 at the Barnes Center at The Arch, 315.443.8000
  • Hendricks Chapel chaplains, 315.443.2901
  • Vera House, 315.468.3260

Connecting to Support Resources to Help You Feel Safe

The Equal Opportunity and Title IX team, which can be reached at 315.443.4018, can connect you with free support and resources and take supportive steps, while you decide what pathway is right for you. These include the following:

• safety planning
• student support through Dean of Students office
• modification to work or class schedules
• work or housing relocations
• counseling (Sexual and Relationship Violence Response Team)
• University Orders (no-contact order/no-trespass order) to restrict or minimize interactions between individuals

Understanding the Reporting Options Available to You

Everyone impacted by sexual and relationship violence has complete control when determining what reporting avenue is right for them. The two most common reporting options are:

• Filing a complaint with Syracuse University,
  • contact the Title IX coordinator at 315.443.0211 or titleix@syr.edu, or
  • contact the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224.
• Filing a police report,
  • call 911 or call Syracuse Police at 315.435.3016, or
  • call state police at 1.844.845.7269.

The Equal Opportunity and Title IX team is available to provide guidance and direct you to resources—we will not pressure any survivor to follow a certain path.

As a caring community, we thrive together when we support each other and show our concern. I encourage any individual who witnesses an incident of sexual or relationship violence to report it. We are all responsible for creating a safe, respectful community free of interpersonal violence.

For further information, visit the recently launched Sexual and Relationship Violence Resources website, which brings together the University’s combined efforts in prevention, support and educational resources.

In addition to resources for those impacted by sexual and relationship violence, I also want to remind you that there are many ways to educate yourself, show support to victims and survivors of interpersonal violence, and get involved in combating sexual and interpersonal violence on our campus:

• Participate in the Barnes Center’s Wellness Leadership Institute, which offers workshops centered on different aspects of health and wellness. Topics covered include bystander intervention, consent and healthy relationships.
• Join groups such as the Peer Educators Encouraging Healthy Relationships and Sexuality (PEERHS) with the Barnes Center to support outreach initiatives that promote a healthy community.
• Take part in the trainings and workshops offered by Equal Opportunity and Title IX to educate our community on topics related to Title IX, harassment and discrimination.

Sincerely,

Sheila Johnson-Willis
Chief Equal Opportunity and Title IX Officer