People who have experienced sexual harassment or assault can react in very different ways. It is not unusual to feel scared, anxious, sad, angry, numb, or confused. You may feel one of these feelings at one time or another, or all of these feelings at the same time. Every person will process their experience in their own way and at their own time.
If you have experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault, MCLA recommends the following steps to help you as you cope:
As soon as you are in a safe location, talk to someone you can trust about the incident—like a family member, friend, or counselor. You can call the Elizabeth Freeman Center no cost 24-hour hotline at 866-401-2425, and you will be connected to a confidential advocate to help you think about next steps.
The most important thing is to talk with someone who can provide emotional support and help you make a plan.
You may seek medical care at any time, but it is strongly recommend that you do so within 72 hours (three days) of an assault. A medical professional will examine you, provide appropriate medical treatment, and, if applicable, talk with you about the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
Call 911
Berkshire Medical Center
725 North St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-447-2000
Or
Click this link for more options: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/designated-sane-site-hospitals#western-ma-
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Programs provide trauma-informed, expert forensic nursing care to sexual assault survivors. They will assist you by treating any injuries and explaining options of taking medications to help prevent an assault-related pregnancy or Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) including HIV. You can also choose to be tested for STIs.
If the assault occurred within the past 5 days, you may also choose to have a medical forensic examination and forensic evidence collection kit (Kit) completed. While all emergency departments are trained to do a medical forensic exam and Kit, specific hospitals are designated as “MA SANE sites.” If you choose to receive care at a SANE site, a SANE will travel there to care for you when called by the hospital.
A medical forensic exam and Kit can be done whether or not you wish to report the assault to the police. If you are unsure, the Kit will be stored for at least 15 years during which time you can choose to report or not report.
A Rape Crisis Advocate will also come to the hospital to be with you and to offer services to help you going forward.
Don’t worry about remembering everything. When you get to a hospital, the SANE or emergency room provider can explain all of your options.
If the assault has occurred within 5 days, it is best if you do not shower, bathe, or change your clothes—even if you did, you can still have evidence collected and receive medical care, including emergency contraception, medication, and STI testing. If you have changed clothes, please bring the clothes you were wearing during the assault to the hospital with you.*
*Information taken from mass.gov
MCLA Health Services
MountainOne Wellness Center
First Floor
Berkshire Medical Center
North Campus
413-664-5256
71 Hospital Avenue, North Adams
For confidential counseling, please contact one of the following resources:
MCLA Counseling Center
413.662.5331
MountainOne Wellness Center
Second Floor
The Elizabeth Freeman Center
866-401-4225 (24-hour hotline)
61 Main Street, Suite 202, North Adams
43 Francis Avenue, Pittsfield
The Brien Center
413-499-0412
124 American Legion Drive, North Adams
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 800-252-0227
The National Stalking Resource Center
https://victimsofcrime.org/stalking-resource-center/
RAINN (Rape Abuse & Incest National Network)
800-656-4673
www.rainn.org (On-Line Live Chat)
National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233
MA Spanish Language Rape Crisis Center Hotline
800-223-5001
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line for People of Color
Text STEVE to 741741
The Trevor Project LGBTQ Suicide Hotline
866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline
877-565-8860
Our Deaf Survivors Center
VP 978-451-7225
Text 978-473-2678
MaleSurvivor
https://malesurvivor.org
Reporting prohibited conduct to law enforcement or to the Title IX Coordinator is a deeply personal choice that only you can make. You have the right to not make a report if you believe that is the best choice for you. However, MCLA strongly encourages you to report an incident of sexual misconduct because it is the only way that the College and/or law enforcement can take action. Reporting the incident and having a medical examination performed within seventy-two hours are helpful steps in preserving evidence which can help in an investigation, but you may report an incident at any time.
MCLA Title IX Coordinator
Patrick Connelly
Dean for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Student Wellness
Office Location: Amsler Campus Center - Room 105
Phone: 413-662-5127
Email: patrick.connelly@mcla.edu
Mailing Address: 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
MCLA Deputy Title IX Coordinators:
April Wright
Administrative Assistant for Student Affairs
Office Location: 3rd Floor of the Campus Center
Phone: 413-662-5231
Email: April.wright@mcla.edu
Laura Mooney
Director of Athletics
Office Location: Campus Center 101C
Phone: 413-662-5411
Email: Laura.mooney@mcla.edu
Barbara Chaput
Director of Human Resources and Payroll
Office Location: Eldridge Hall - Suite 209-210
Phone: 413-662-5599
Email: Barbara.chaput@mcla.edu
Reports to MCLA Title IX staff is private, but not confidential. This means that the information you share may be shared with other individuals on a need to know basis in order to provide supportive measures and/or to facilitate the investigation and resolution process.
MCLA Department of Public Safety/Campus Police
413-662-5100
Location: 277 Ashland Street
Reports to MCLA Campus Police is non-confidential and subject to disclosure under applicable Massachusetts laws.
In the case of an emergency, please call 911.
You are entitled to have an advisor of your choice during the complaint investigation and resolution process.
For the live hearing, you are required to have an advisor present to ask questions on your behalf. If you do not have an advisor, you can contact the Title IX Coordinator to request that MCLA provide you with an advisor at the hearing at no cost to you.
Information for Managers and Supervisors
Title IX Personnel Training Information
MCLA Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Affirmative Action Plan
Patrick Connelly
Dean for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Student Wellness
Office Location: Amsler Campus Center - Room 105F
Phone: 413-662-5127
Email: patrick.connelly@mcla.edu
Mailing Address: 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
