Sexual Violence Prevention
How NCCC Is Addressing Sexual Violence
- Reduce the incidence of sexual assault, intimate partner violence and domestic violence through educational and outreach efforts.
- Increase the reporting of incidents by improving access to services.
- Ensure comprehensive, victim-centered care.
BOR Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence Policy
Campus Crime Report (Jeanne Clery Act)
NCCC’s Position Statement
Sexual assault and intimate partner violence will not be excused or tolerated. Existing criminal, civil and disciplinary actions will be enforced. Northwestern Connecticut Community College has adopted measures to educate the campus community and protocols to assist victims. Special emphasis is placed on the needs, rights and privacy of the victim and due process for offenders. NCCC adheres to federal, state and local requirements for interventions, crime reporting and privacy provisions related to sexual assault.
Sexual Assault Resource Team
It is our sincere hope that no one within the NCCC campus community will become a victim of sexual assault or intimate partner violence. However, if it does occur, Northwestern Connecticut Community College has created a Sexual Assault Resource Team – Northwestern SART – to meet victim needs. Northwestern SART is designed to meet the standards outlined in Connecticut Public Act 14-11 (May 8, 2014). The team is trained to provide victim-centered, empathetic service and referral for comprehensive care. The team works in partnership with the Susan B. Anthony Project to extend services 24-hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year.
Who To Contact for Help
On Campus – Northwestern SART
- Ruth Gonzalez, Ph.D. 860-738-6315 Goulet House Room 10
- Andrew Wetmore 860-738-6344 Green Woods Hall Room 110
- Michael Emanuel 860-738-6389 Founders Hall Annex Room 308
- Alyana Sholtis 860-738-6468 Green Woods Hall Room 210
- Tracy Smith-Michnowicz 860-738-6305 Founders Hall Annex Room 308
- Daneen Huddart 860-738-6318 Green Woods Hall Room 303
- Brian Plessinger 860-738-6409 Founders Hall Room 105
- Jay Whitaker, Ph.D. 860-738-6319 Founders Hall Room 103
Off Campus, Evenings, Weekends, Holidays – 24 hours a day/7 days a week
- Susan B. Anthony Project (Torrington), 860.482.7133
- Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, 860.496.6666
- CT Sexual Assault Crisis Services (toll-free), English Hotline: 888.999.5545 and Spanish Hotline: 888.568.8332
- Winsted Police Department, 860.379.2721
- Torrington Police Department, 860.489.2000
- CT State Police Dispatch, 860.626.7900
How Northwestern SART works
This NCCC team includes faculty, staff and students who are trained to assist victims to access all available services. When a victim reports sexual assault or intimate partner violence, the Northwestern SART team explains all options, rights and services. The team responds based on the options and services requested by the victim. Some of these services are:
Nurse Examiners
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) has certified SANE staff (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) who are trained to provide medical care, forensic evidence collection and preventive medications. All services for sexual assault ma be provided anonymously and are provided at CHH free of charge, according to Connecticut law.
Counselor Advocates
These are specially-trained individuals from the Susan B. Anthony Project that respond to the NCCC campus, the hospital and/or police station at the request of a victim. They can provide safety planning, emotional support, education, and referrals. They also assure that victims understand their rights regarding sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
Victim Options
Victims of sexual assault at NCCC have several options for care and services. Victims have the right to accept or decline any or all of the following:
- Evaluation/treatment of injuries and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
- Forensic examination for evidence collection.
- File a police report.
- File college disciplinary charges.
- File a civil charge.
- File a Title IX complaint. Report as a Jane/John Doe victim. This option allows the victim to have a forensic exam for evidence collection but not file charges or release identity to anyone except the forensic nurse. Evidence is stored for 90 – 120 days which allows for evidence preservation and for the victim to make a decision regarding the filing of a police report.
- Seek services from community and state resources.
No action is taken by Northwestern Connecticut Community College or the Susan B. Anthony Project without a victim’s consent unless it is believed that the individual or the community at large may be in danger.
What To Do
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call Susan B. Anthony Project at 860.482.7133. Northwestern SART can help a victim only if a member of the team is notified. Contacting Northwestern SART does not mean someone has to be charged with a crime. It does mean that a victim will be offered appropriate care. Anyone can notify Northwestern SART by contacting Dr. Ruth Gonzalez at 860.738.6315. Please see additional resources below:
- Jane Doe No More, Inc., 203.729.0245
- Friends in Service to Humanity (FISH) Emergency Shelter, 860.482.7300
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 877.739.3895
- Northwest Connecticut YMCA (Winsted Branch), 860.379.0708
- Winsted Health Care, 860.738.6600