HWC Prevention Education

The HWC Prevention Education program is an effort to enhance prevention education and services primarily to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking (SADVS), but also includes prevention education and bystander training efforts to prevent issues in other areas like alcohol abuse. The original development and implementation of this program was made possible through a grant in 2019 of $298,330 from the Department of Justice's Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on Campus Program. Because of these efforts, we now have a sustained full-time staff member within the Health and Wellness Center to continue these services and enhance our prevention education efforts.

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Safety Statement

If you are in immediate danger, please contact 911. Your safety is of the utmost importance. Once you are in a safe place, please reach out to one of our confidential or non-confidential resources:

Where To Get Help

Use the resources below or download our "Who To Call, Where To Go" brochure:

Who To Call, Where To Go

Connect with a Confidential Resource*

*All HWC Counselors are Confidential

YWCA Mohawk Valley Hotline

Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Stalking

Oneida County (315) 797-7740
Herkimer County (315) 866-4120
YWCAMV.org/chat (Use chat for help after-hours or on weekends)

MCAT Mobile Crisis Assessment Team
(315) 732-6228 (Use for mental crisis help after-hours or on weekends)

Office of Campus Safety
Strebel (enter on quad side)
24/7 Assistance: 315.792.3046

Office of Student Affairs
Strebel 103
315.792.3100

Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
Strebel 105A
315.792.3363

Office of Student Living and College Engagement (SLCE)
315.792.3285

Title IX Coordinators
Lisa Green, Title IX Coordinator
lcgreen@utica.edu
White Hall 124/125
315.792.3050

David Fontaine, Title IX Deputy Coord.
dafontai@utica.edu
Clark Athletic Center
315.792.3050

Utica Police Department
315.735.3301

New Hartford Police Department
315.724.7111

New York Mills Police
315.736.6623

New York State Police Campus Sexual Assault Victim's Unit
24/7 Hotline: 1.844.845.7269
Dawn Heffron
dawn.heffron@troopers.ny.gov
Office: 315.366.6160
Cell: 315.408.2371

General Resources

Who To Call, Where To Go (Brochure)

Download Who to Call and Where to Go Brochure

Utica University Reporting and Support Services Borchure

Student Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights

Title IX Information

Title IX at Utica College

Sexual Misconduct Policy

View Policy

Sexual Assault | Rape Resources

Sexual assault definitions

(See: Sexual Misconduct Policy)

Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse
Sexual assault of this type includes the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the other person.

Non-Consensual Sexual Contact
This form of sexual assault includes any intentional touching, however slight, for purposes of sexual gratification, of the private body parts (including genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks) of another person, forcibly and/or against that person’s will; or, not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of their youth or because of their temporary or include nonpenetrative acts, touching directly with an object, and/or touching the private body parts of another over clothing.

Incest
Non-forcible sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law.

Statutory Rape
Non-forcible sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent. The statutory age in NY is 17 years old.

Affirmative Consent

In order for individuals to engage in sexual activity of any type with each other, there must be clear affirmative consent. Whenever the term consent is used in this policy, it should be understood to mean affirmative consent as defined here.

Affirmative consent is a knowing, voluntary and mutual decision among all participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create clear permission regarding willingness to engage in sexual activity. Silence or lack of resistance, in and of itself, does not demonstrate consent.

The definition of affirmative consent does not vary based on a participant’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Under this policy, “No” always means “No.” At the same time, silence, or the absence of an explicit “no”, cannot be assumed to indicate consent.

Consent to some form of sexual activity between or with any party cannot be automatically taken as consent to any other sexual activity.
Past consent to sexual activity cannot be presumed to be consent to engage in the same sexual activity in the future.
Consent is required regardless of whether the person initiating the act is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
Consent can be withdrawn at any time by expressing in words or actions that the individual no longer wants the sexual activity to continue and, if that happens, the other person must stop immediately.
Affirmative consent cannot be obtained by use of force, compelling threats, intimidating behavior, or coercion. Consent cannot be given when a person is incapacitated, as defined below. Depending on the degree of intoxication, someone who is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants may be incapacitated and therefore unable to consent.

Incapacitation

Incapacitation occurs when an individual lacks the ability to knowingly choose to participate in sexual activity. Incapacitation may be caused by the lack of consciousness, mental disability, being asleep, being involuntarily restrained, or if an individual otherwise cannot consent. In order to give affirmative consent, one must be of legal age, which is 17 in the state of New York. Use of alcohol or other drugs does not, in and of itself, negate a person’s ability to give affirmative consent. However, depending on the degree of intoxication, someone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or other intoxicants may be incapacitated and therefore unable to consent.

A person who has been drinking or using drugs is still responsible for ensuring that the other person provides affirmative consent to engage in sexual activity. An individual’s incapacity may also be caused by consuming “daterape” drugs. Possession, use, and/or distribution of any of these substances (including Rohypnol, Ketomine, GHB, Burundanga, and others) is prohibited, and administering any of these drugs to another person for purpose of inducing one to consent to sexual activity is a violation of Utica College's Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Dating | Domestic Violence Resources

Dating Violence is violence (including but not limited to sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse) committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim.

Forms of Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Sexual activity that occurs without willing, active, unimpaired consent, such as unwanted sexual touch, sexual assault, rape, or tampering with contraceptives.

Emotional / Verbal Abuse

Non-physical damaging behaviors like threats, insults, screaming, constant monitoring, or isolation.

Stalking

Being repeatedly watched, followed, monitored, or harassed. Can occur online or in-person and include giving unwanted gifts.

Physical Abuse

Any intentional use of physical touch to cause fear, injury, or assert control, such as hitting, shoving, and strangling.

Financial Abuse

Exerting power and control over a partner through their finances, such as taking or hiding money, or preventing a partner from earning money.

Digital Abuse

Using technology to bully, stalk, threaten, or intimidate a partner using texting, social media, apps, tracking, etc.

Domestic violence (also referred to as intimate partner violence (IPV), dating abuse, or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.

Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. People of any race, age, gender, sexuality, religion, education level, or economic status can be a victim — or perpetrator — of domestic violence. That includes behaviors that physically harm, intimidate, manipulate or control a partner, or otherwise force them to behave in ways they don’t want to, including through physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, or financial control.

Multiple forms of abuse are usually present at the same time in abusive situations, and it’s essential to understand how these behaviors interact so you know what to look for.

(Source: National Domestic Violence Hotline)

Stalking Resources

Stalking

A good behavioral definition of stalking is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.

Stalking is a pattern of behavior that requires 2 or more behaviors.
Many different behaviors can be part of a stalking pattern.
Some stalking behaviors are criminal (for example, property damage)
Others are not crimes on their own (for example, sending gifts), but can become criminal when part of a stalking course of conduct.
Common stalking behaviors include (but are not limited to):
- calling or texting excessively
- following
- spreading rumors
- surveillance and tracking
Stalking is directed at a specific individual, not a group. However, stalkers may target other people close to the primary victim-like family members or a new boyfriend or girlfriend.
Fear is key to the definition of stalking.

Source: SPARC

Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT)

The CCRT is a dedicated group of faculty and staff from the Utica University community working together to achieve the DOJ OVW Campus Grant goals outlined in the Strategic Plan.

CCRT Members

Ann Ciancia - Director of Contracts & Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
Shad Crowe - Vice President for Facilities & Emergency Management
Marissa Hall - Director of Student Living
Maria Klosek - Clinical Counselor
Mark Kovacs - Ex. Director for DEI/Coordinator for Community Relations
Jay LaFayette - Associate Director of Campus Safety
Carl Lohmann - Director of Student Conduct & Community Standards
Kira Maddox - Communications & Community Engagement Coordinator for DEIB-ST
James Monahan - Professor of Practice - Nursing
Rich Racioppa - Dean of Students
Ariel Rios - Ex. Director of Student Health & Wellness
Stephen Simone - Director of Youth, Family, & Education Services, The Q Center
Tracy Stancato - YWCA Director of Community Education
Kristin St. Hilaire - Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach/Assistant Athletic Director
Robert Swenszkowski - Professor of Practice - Criminal Justice
Bethany VanBenschoten - Student Life Project Manager & Confidential Resource
Mathew Vincent - Director of Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention Education

The CCRT Student Advisory Board serves to provide critical direction, feedback, and suggestions for the CCRT. Their input helps to guide the CCRT on their progress to reach goals from the Strategic Plan.

Current Members:

SGA - Student Government Association
BSU - Black Student Union
SAAC - Student Athletic Advisory Committee
ASU - Asian Student Union
WRC - K. Della Ferguson Woman’s Resource Center
IGC - Inter-Greek Council
WIND - Women in a New Direction
GSA - Gender-Sexuality Alliance
Golden Z - Golden Z
International Student Union
OJS - Organization of Justice Studies
EMS - Emergency Medical Services
Fuerza Latina - Fuerza Latina

Education Programs

Utica University, through the HWC Prevention Education Program and working with the Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT), offers multiple approaches to prevention education and bystander intervention education.

If you want to learn more about prevention programming or wish to request a program, please contact the Student Counseling Center.

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What is Vector LMS?

Utica University has partnered with Vector LMS, whose mission is to help students address critical life skills such as sexual assault prevention in higher education institutions across the country. Each year over ½ million students complete courses provided by Vector LMS, including the Sexual Assault Prevention Program.

As part of our comprehensive prevention program for new students, Utica University expects you to complete the Sexual Assault Prevention Program, which provides you with information about: sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking, alternatives for intervening in situations you see happening and supporting friends and other members of our community, and resources both on and off campus. This engaging and interactive online course will empower you to make well-informed decisions about issues that affect your college years and beyond.

Learn more about Vector LMS at Utica University:

Vector LMS Program

What is Green Dot?

Traditional prevention programs may only approach men as potential perpetrators and women as potential victims. Green Dot approaches all students, staff, administrators, and faculty as allies. The original Green Dot program was conceived in the college setting to prevent dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking. It relies on the premise that if everyone does their small part and commits to individual responsibility, the combined effect is a safe campus culture that is intolerant of violence.

The college-based curriculum draws heavily on the experiences of college students and the reality of this issue in their lives. This curriculum uses interactive activities to reinforce core concepts and encourages students to envision their future and the world in which they want to live, then aligns their bystander behavior with that vision.

Learn more about Green Dot at Utica University:

Green Dot Curriculum

What is One Love?

Love is the most important thing in our lives, yet we are taught very little about it. One Love is on a mission to change that. They educate young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships, empowering them to identify and avoid abuse and learn how to love better.

One Love was founded in honor of Yeardley Love: A young woman who tragically lost her life at 22. Her death was completely preventable. One Love's mission is to make sure that it doesn’t happen to others.

One Love engages young people with powerful films and honest conversation. Through One Love's workshops and peer-to-peer discussions, One Love offers a framework that helps students spread our message online and in their communities.

Learn more about the One Love Foundation:

One Love Foundation

What is the 12 Men Model?

Men are invited to take a leadership role and recruit other men to join them in a pledge to never support, commit or remain silent about abuse. The 12 Men Model assembles men in small groups and encourages them to rethink and redefine healthy masculinity.

This prevention-focused program encourages men to dialogue and rethink masculinity and male roles. With the guidance of a facilitator, the program challenges the thoughts of those involved in the group and empowers them to challenge the thoughts of others in their communities.

Participants have described the program as life-affirming, creating a group of men who lead by example, treating their partners and children with dignity and respect.

Learn more about the 12 Men Model:

12 Men Model

What is the Red Flag Campaign?

The Red Flag Campaign uses a bystander intervention strategy to address and prevent sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking on college campuses. The campaign encourages friends and other campus community members to say something when they see warning signs ("red flags") for sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking in a friend’s relationship.

The Campaign is a project of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, and was created by college students, college personnel, and community victim advocates.

Learn more about the Red Flag Campaign:

Red Flag Campaign