Sexual Violence at the University at Albany
- Ella Costa
- Feb 13, 2018
- 2 min read
ALBANY, N.Y. — There have been over 250 reports of sexual violence on the Suny Albany campus for 2017.
Men and women of the faculty and staff came together on the campus to discuss sexual violence on Feb. 13.
Carol Stenger, a sexuality counselor and educator spoke on sexual violence. She has worked at UAlbany for over 30 years and runs a peer group for prevention. Stenger has also created a Advocacy Center to support victims of sexual violence.
Stenger’s goal for the peer group and Advocacy Center was to increase reports of sexual violence and to create a safe place for victims to speak of their experience.
“People heal faster when they talk. Forty two percent of victims tell no one.” Stenger said.
The advocacy center has a comforting environment and is a place victims can go to feel no push or force to take any action, unless they want to. Everything said at the center remains completely confidential. Victims are told about their rights, options and are even offered a ride to the hospital if they wish to go, Stenger said.
The center pays for everything. If a victim does not feel safe where they are living, whether it be on campus or off, the center can help get them emergency housing, Stenger said.
Assistant Vice President for Equity and Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, Chantelle Cleary spoke on her role with sexual violence on the campus.
"We tell them what options they (the accused and the victims) have." Cleary said.
Cleary investigates reports of sexual violence on the campus and said her goal is to create a safe environment. Cleary explained she can do an investigation regardless of a victims wishes, if it is in the best interest for the safety of others.
Cleary notifies the accused and gives them all their rights. If their is a report of sexual violence from a faculty or staff member of another faculty or staff member, Human Resources will conduct their own investigation. Cleary focuses on students.
Faculty and staff are federally obligated to report accusations of sexual violence.
If the victim or the accused feels the University did not do a good job with their investigation they can contact the office of Civil Rights.
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