Welcome
to the Victim/Witness Assistance Center
Crime of any
type committed against or witnessed by someone can be traumatic.
Only the victim or witness can understand how deeply a crime affects
them.
On this campus,
we are fortunate that we have had very few serious crimes over the
years. However, even crimes such as thefts and annoying telephone
calls can be disturbing for victims of these crimes.
We have created
this section to aid victims in finding resources to help them understand
that they are not alone, they have rights, and to provide some information
about the legal process in Massachusetts.
If anyone is
the victim of or witnesses a crime, please immediately contact Public
Safety at x2304 or 1-911 for emergencies. National statistics provide
a foundation for a common sense theory: the sooner authorities are
alerted to a crime, the more likely it is that the perpetrator can
be apprehended and prosecuted.
Victim Rights
Massachusetts
has a victim bill of rights. This is available online
as well as from Public Safety Officers. This outlines what the Commonwealth
and its employees can provide for assistance.
How Does
Public Safety Help Me?
The Mount Holyoke
College Victim Assistance program is very victim-based. While some
laws require officers to take legally-mandated action upon notification
of certain crimes, the department prefers to allow a victim to make
all decisions about how to proceed with a case.
On campus, officers
will provide education about the crime encountered as well as crime
prevention programming for campus groups. Officers will discuss
with a victim rights s/he has for prosecution of a case. Officers
often assist victims to the court and provide guidance for getting
to know the court and the procedures.
The courts have
a Victim Witness Assistance Program with whom the Department works
when a case enters the court system. They provide support and education
to victims and witnesses. They have SafePlan advocates who aide
victims and witnesses of violent crimes in locating safe places
or develop a plan to protect themselves, among many other services.
Victim's identities
are strictly confidential. However, victims may allow Public Safety
Officers to release their name to specific campus administrators,
Health Services staff or other agreed-upon resources so we can assist
a victim in obtaining alternate housing, assistance with classes,
etc., if the victim wishes to have such assistance.
Officers will
work with a victim and with other victim resources to develop a
safe plan when a victim or the officers feel there is a safety concern.
What Options
Would I Have?
Victims have
a number of options when a perpetrator of a crime is known:
- Campus sanctions:
if the person is another member of the community, a victim may
opt to utilize campus sanctions to adjudicate the matter such
as the Student Judicial Board, the Human Resources office, etc.
- Criminal
complaint: the college, or in some cases, the victim, may be able
to request a criminal hearing, or an arrest may be made.
- Campus
Trespass:
if the victim is not a member of the community, a trespass notice
may be appropriate to prevent the person from entering the campus.
- Protective
Order: while there are specific situations in which this may be
appropriate, victims may opt to obtain a restraining order against
a perpetrator.
Reports
The Department
can release certain reports to victims. Check our Report
Request Form for details; complete this form and mail it in
to us, or call Public Safety at x2304 to request a report.
Other Resources:
* Mount
Holyoke College's Sexual Assault Resource Guide - provides resources
and assistance for victims of sexual assault
* Mount Holyoke
College Health Services - provide medical and mental assistance
to victims
* Mount
Holyoke College Dean of Students - coordinates academic and
residential assistance for campus victims
* Mount Holyoke
College Residential Life Office - coordinates with Public Safety
and the Deans on providing housing alternatives for victims
* Domestic Violence Assistance Guide
- provides resources and help for victims of domestic violence
* Public Safety's Trespass Information
Sheet - provides information on when and how a trespass notice
is issued and how it may help
* National Center for Victims of Crimes
- provides nationwide resources for crime victims
* Massachusetts Office for
Victim Assistance - provides information on a variety of services
offered in the state for victims of crimes.
* National Domestic
Violence Hotline: a nationwide hotline providing crisis intervention,
referrals, support and information.
* Five College
Sexual Assault Prevention and Intervention Commitee web site.
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