Appendix I: Resources

 A.              If You Experience Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, or Stalking 

Your safety and well-being are of paramount importance. What you choose to do after an incident is up to you, but you are encouraged to take the following actions immediately: 

1.   Go to a place where you feel safe. 

2.   Contact or have a friend contact Public Safety at 516-463-6606. In an emergency, call Public Safety at 516-463-6789 or, if you are off campus, call 911. You have the option to notify Public Safety and local police, and to be assisted by Public Safety in notifying local police if you so choose. You also have the option to decline to notify these authorities. 

3.   To speak to a Confidential Resource who will not report your information further, you can contact Student Counseling Services at 516-463-2273, Student Health at 516-463-6745, or one of the chaplains in the Interfaith Center: Catholic Chaplain, 516-463-7210; Jewish Chaplain, 516-463-6922; Muslim Chaplain, 516-463-6920; Protestant Chaplain, 516-463-5227.  

Note: Public Safety is able to contact Student Health and/or Student Counseling Services during nonbusiness hours. 

4.   Go to a hospital emergency room. Public Safety or the police will provide transportation, if necessary. 

5.   It is important to preserve evidence that may assist in proving that the alleged criminal offense occurred or may be helpful in obtaining a protection order. Medical evidence for use in the prosecution of a criminal offense is collected at the hospital. For this reason, you should not shower, bathe, douche, or change clothes. You may need to bring a change of clothes to the hospital in case the clothes you are wearing are collected as evidence. 

6.   Do not touch any evidence or straighten up the area where the assault occurred. 

7.   Do not blame yourself. The person who assaulted you is responsible. 

Students have access to mental health counseling through Student Counseling Services. Crisis intervention, initial intake, consultations, workshops, and psychoeducational groups are offered by Student Counseling Services. Any enrolled student is eligible to receive short-term individual counseling and participate in all programs, including workshops and psychoeducational groups, at no cost. 

Students have access to medical services, including testing for sexually transmitted infections, through Student Health. There may be a fee for testing for sexually transmitted infections, as tests are sent to an outside laboratory. A Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) (commonly referred to as a rape kit) can be obtained at a hospital. SAFE exams are most effective when completed within three days of unwanted sexual contact, but evidence can be collected after that timeframe. (Find a designated SAFE hospital near you at https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/safe/.) While there should be no charge for a rape kit, there may be a charge for medical or counseling services off campus and, in some cases, insurance may be billed for services. You are encouraged to let hospital personnel know if you do not want your insurance policyholder to be notified about your access to these services. The New York State Office of Victim Services may be able to assist in compensating victims/survivors for healthcare and counseling services, including emergency funds. More information may be found by calling 1-800-247-8035. Options are explained here: https://ovs.ny.gov/help-crime-victims. 

The University will provide written notification to students and employees about existing counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, legal assistance, visa and immigration assistance, student financial aid, and other services available for victims, both within the institution and in the community. 

B.              Students’ Bill of Rights 

Pursuant to Article 129-B of the New York State Education Law, all students have the right to: 

1.   Make a report to local law enforcement and/or state police. 

2.   Have disclosures of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault treated seriously. 

3.   Make a decision about whether or not to disclose a crime or violation and participate in the judicial or conduct process and/or criminal justice process free from pressure by the University. 

4.   Participate in a process that is fair and impartial, and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard. 

5.   Be treated with dignity and receive from the University courteous, fair, and respectful healthcare and counseling services, as available through Student Health and Student Counseling Services. 

6.   Be free from any suggestion that the reporting individual is at fault when these crimes and violations are committed or should have acted in a different manner to avoid such crimes or violations. 

7.   Describe the incident to as few institution representatives as practicable and not be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident. 

8.   Be protected from retaliation by the University, any student, the accused and/or the respondent, and/or their friends, family, and acquaintances within the University’s jurisdiction. 

9.   Access to at least one level of appeal of a determination. 

10.  Be accompanied by an advisor of choice who may assist and advise a reporting individual, accused, or respondent throughout the judicial or conduct process, including during all meetings and hearings related to such process. 

11. Exercise civil rights and practice of religion without interference by the investigative, criminal justice, or judicial or conduct process of the University. 

C.              Rights of Reporting Individuals 

Any student reported to have been subject to a violation of this Policy has the right to: 

1.    Make a report to Hofstra Public Safety, local law enforcement, and/or state police or choose not to report; to report the incident to the University; to be protected by the University from retaliation for reporting an incident; and to receive assistance and resources from the University. 

2.    Have emergency access to a University official trained in interviewing victims of sexual assault, who shall be available upon the first instance of disclosure by a reporting individual to provide information regarding options to proceed, and, where applicable, the importance of preserving evidence and obtaining a sexual assault forensic examination as soon as possible. The official will explain that the criminal justice process utilizes different standards of proof and evidence and that any questions about whether a specific incident violated the penal law should be addressed to law enforcement or to the district attorney. The official shall also explain the level of confidentiality they are authorized to offer, and shall inform the reporting individual of other reporting options. 

3.    Disclose confidentially the incident to counselors or medical professionals in Student Health and/or Student Counseling Services, who may offer confidentiality pursuant to applicable laws and can assist in obtaining services for reporting individuals. 

4.    Disclose confidentially the incident and obtain services from the state or local government. 

5.    Disclose the incident to Hofstra representatives who can offer varying levels of confidentiality, as appropriate, and can assist in obtaining resources for reporting individuals. 

6.    Disclose the incident anonymously by calling the New York State Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906. The hotline is for crisis intervention, resources, and referrals and is not a reporting mechanism, nor is it affiliated with Hofstra University. 

7.    File a report of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking, and the right to consult with the Title IX Coordinator for Student Issues and other appropriate Hofstra representatives for information and assistance. Reports shall be investigated in accordance with this policy, and a reporting individual’s identity shall remain private at all times if said reporting individual wishes to maintain privacy. 

8.    Disclose, if the accused is an employee of the institution, the incident to the Title IX Coordinator for Employee Matters, or the right to request that a confidential or private employee assist in reporting to the Title IX Coordinator for Employee Matters, for investigation and adjudication under the Harassment Policy. 

9.   Receive informational assistance from Hofstra representatives, and assistance from The Safe Center LI in accordance with Hofstra’s Memorandum of Understanding with The Safe Center LI. Receive informational assistance from Hofstra representatives in connection with legal proceedings in family court or civil court. 

10. Withdraw a complaint or involvement from the process under this Policy at any time. 

D.             Educational Programs 

You are the key to your personal safety on campus and in the community. We encourage you to educate yourself by attending educational programs that promote the awareness and prevention of sexual misconduct. Such programs are conducted for first-year students during New Student Orientation and Welcome Week. 

Incoming students are also required to complete the Consent & Respect program, which includes important information about relationship violence and sexual assault, such as: 

•        Definitions of the relevant offenses in New York state 

•        Definition of consent, in reference to sexual activity, in New York state 

•        Safe and positive options for bystander intervention 

•        Information on how to recognize warning signs of abusive behavior and how to avoid potential attacks 

Other programs on these and related topics are offered throughout the year and are open to the entire Hofstra community. These programs include Domestic Violence Awareness Week as well as numerous sexual assault awareness and prevention programs, including Take Back the Night, campaign, as described on Title IX's Get Involved HU's page. In addition, the Dean of Students Office provides Bystander Intervention training throughout New Student Orientation. Additional training is available through the Title IX and Student Wellness Education Offices. 

All Hofstra students are notified each year about the Guide to Pride, available online at hofstra.edu/guidetopride, which is updated annually and includes this Policy, also available online at hofstra.edu/sexualmisconduct. This Policy states that sexual misconduct is prohibited at Hofstra and contains detailed information about Hofstra’s guidelines and procedures in responding to reports of sexual misconduct, including information about confidentiality and a detailed description of the disciplinary process for complaints. 

For additional information, please contact the Division of Student Enrollment, Engagement, and Success at studentaffairs@hofstra.edu. 

E.              Phone Numbers 

         Emergency – On Campus: 516-463-6789 Off Campus: 911 

•   Public Safety 516-463-6606 

•   Title IX Coordinator for Student Issues 516-463-5841 

•   Title IX Coordinator for Employee Matters 516-463-6859 

•   Office of Residence Life 516-463-6930 

•   Dean of Students/Office of Community Standards 516-463-6913 

•   Student Access Services 516-463-7075 

Confidential Resources 

•   Student Counseling Services 516-463-2273 

•   Student Health  516-463-6745 

•   Catholic Chaplain 516-463-7210 

•   Jewish Chaplain 516-463-6922 

•   Muslim Chaplain 516-463-6920 

•   Protestant Chaplain 516-463-5227 

Off-Campus Resources 

• L.I. Against Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline: 631-666-8833 

• ECLI-VIBES 24-Hour Hopeline: 631-360-3606 

• RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673) 

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233) 

• NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence: 800-942-6906