A community approach
At Connecticut College, we believe that preventing sexual assault is the responsibility of the entire community, and all students play a critical role. Our approach to prevention and advocacy combines campus-wide education and training on how to recognize dangerous situations and intervene, with a network of support and resources for victims of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. These efforts are coordinated through the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Advocacy and by the director of sexual violence prevention and advocacy, with the support of the administration and a team of confidential campus advocates.
Prevention
Prevention and response training and education are integrated into the campus culture at Conn. More than 1000 students have been trained in the Green Dot bystander intervention program, which teaches students to recognize situations in which someone may be at risk for sexual assault or domestic violence and arms them with different techniques — referred to as “Green Dots” — to intervene. There are also several student organizations dedicated to violence prevention, and they organize events and awareness campaigns to keep sexual assault prevention on the minds of all students throughout the year. New students are taught about the College's policies and resources and introduced to bystander intervention during their first few days on campus.
In addition, the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Advocacy provides violence prevention education to the campus community through awareness activities for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness month (October and April respectively), residence hall programming and classroom presentations.
Support and assistance for survivors
Connecticut College offers confidential support services to students who have experienced sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking, including:
- Judicial, housing and academic advocacy
- Access to appropriate services (medical, counseling and legal)
- Comprehensive information about reporting procedures, both on and off campus
- Help securing on-campus no-contact directives
Director of Sexual Violence Prevention and Advocacy
The director of sexual violence prevention and advocacy is a trained sexual assault, domestic/dating violence and stalking advocate and is readily available to assist students who have been sexually assaulted or who have experienced stalking or relationship violence. The director also serves as a resource for friends of victims and for faculty and staff who support students.
During business hours, the director can be contacted at 860-439-2235.
Get help
The Office of Sexual Violence Prevention & Advocacy maintains a 24/7, CONFIDENTIAL phone line for students who need support, information, or resources.
If you have experienced, or think you may have experienced, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking, you can contact the SVPA Advocate On-Call at 860-460-9194.
Other, non-confidential resources available to students include Campus Safety (860-439-2222), the administrator on-call, and the New London Police (911).
