Report an Incident
ACPHS encourages, but does not require, victims, survivors, complainants, claimants and witnesses with victim status of sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking (reporting individuals) to report the incident
How to Report an Incident
A report can be made at any time, regardless of the amount of time that has passed since the incident. Anyone with knowledge about an incident is strongly encouraged to make a report as soon as possible as a delay in reporting may impact the College’s ability to respond promptly and effectively or to take disciplinary action against an individual.
Take the Following Next Steps
- Make a report to campus public safety, local law enforcement, and/or state police
- Make a report to ACPHS and to be protected by the College from retaliation for reporting an incident
- Receive assistance, supportive measures and resources from the College
Campus Public Safety and the Albany Police Department can help you. These officers are trained to respond to the needs of a victim of sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking. They will also make you aware of support and advocacy services and advise you about reporting procedures and requirements.
- For your safety and well-being, immediate medical attention is encouraged, and being examined as soon as possible is important in the case of sexual assault. The hospital will arrange for a specific medical examination at no charge. We encourage you to do so at a facility that uses S.A.N.E., or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners.
- Remember that this medical treatment may also provide the opportunity for the collection and documentation of evidence, should you decide to pursue the incident and offender through the legal system. Public Safety and the Albany Police Department may assist you in this effort as well.
- Preserve any and all evidence when a domestic violence, dating violence or sexual assault incident occurs, as this evidence may be necessary to prove that the offense took place and/or to obtain a protective order.
- Be aware that the location of the offense, your clothing and your person may be considered a source of evidence. The location of the incident should be safeguarded and the victim should avoid washing, douching, using the toilet or changing clothes prior to a medical/legal exam.
- While not required, ACPHS encourages victims, survivors, complainants, claimants and witnesses with victim status of sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking (reporting individuals) to report the incident.
- Reporting an incident does not:
- Obligate the victim to take any action against the other party
- Subject the victim to inappropriate scrutiny or judgment by the person receiving the report
- Suggest in any way that the victim is at fault for the crime or violation or should have acted differently to avoid the crime or violation
- Reporting an incident does:
- Ensure that the victim has knowledge of and access to supportive measures, including professional, confidential counseling from a counselor specifically trained in the areas of sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking
- Provide the opportunity for the collection of evidence critical to a prosecution, which cannot be obtained later
- Ensure that the victim has knowledge of and access to professional, confidential counseling from a counselor specifically trained in the areas of sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking
Where do I Report?
Title IX Coordinators are individuals who, by law (Title IX), have remedial authority to address sexual misconduct complaints on behalf of the College. The Title IX Coordinator will review options and resources with the reporting individual, explain their options for making formal complaints either with the College or with local law enforcement, and other rights of the reporting individual.
ACPHS Title IX Coordinator
Emma Hempel
phone: 518-694-7418
email: emma.hempel@acphs.edu
At ACPHS, different people on campus have varying reporting responsibilities and varying abilities to maintain confidentiality, depending on their roles at the College and College policy. All parties should be aware of confidentiality, privacy, and mandatory reporting requirements when consulting campus resources to make informed decisions.
All employees (including RAs), with the exception of counselors in the Office of Counseling and Wellness, are considered mandatory reporters. Mandatory reporters are required to report all details of an incident of sexual misconduct, including the identity of the perpetrator and the victim, the date and location of the incident, and details regarding the incident, if known, for purposes of initiation of an investigation and appropriate action. Although mandatory reporters cannot provide confidentiality, they can ensure privacy, by only reporting information to the Title IX Coordinator.
Additional Reporting Resources
- Office of Counseling and Wellness (Confidential)
Gozzo Student Center, Suite 209
Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
phone: 518-694-7107
email: CounselingServices@acphs.edu - For residential students on campus, ACPHS provides access to a Resident Director outside of normal business hours. This administrator can be contacted through contacting Security at 518-244-3177.
Medical Services Locations
Free Access to S.A.N.E.
Albany Medical Center
43 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY
Samaritan Hospital
600 Northern Blvd., Albany, NY
St. Peter’s Hospital
315 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY
University Heights (UHA) Public Safety
130 New Scotland Ave, Albany
phone: 518-244-3177
Albany Police Department
165 Henry Johnson Blvd., Albany
phone: 518-438-4000
NY State Police Sexual Assault Victims Unit
phone: 1-844-845-7269
(Reports to the Title IX Coordinator)
Report Anonymously to a Confidential Resource
Albany Resources
New York State Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline
phone: 1-800-942-6906
Equinox Hotline
phone: 518-432-7865
Unity House Hotline
phone: 518-272-2370
National Resources
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
phone: 1-800-799-7233
The National Sexual Assault Hotline
phone: 1-800-656-4673
Safe Horizon Hotlines
phone: 1-800-621-4673 (domestic violence)
phone: 1-866-689-4357 (victims of other crimes)
phone: 1-212-227-3000 (rape & sexual assault victims)
Programs & Entities
New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
phone: 800-942-6906
NYS Office of Victim Services
phone: 1-800-247-8035
Note: Information regarding STIs, forensic exams, and resources available through the NYS Office of Victim Services.
New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault
phone: 800-942-6906
The Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center
phone: 518-447-7716
Equinox, Albany, NY
phone: 518-434-6135
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York
phone: 800-462-2922
Safe Horizon Hotlines
phone: 800-621-4673 or 866-689-4357
Responding to a Report of Misconduct
A “respondent” is a person accused of a violation who has entered the ACPHS judicial or conduct process.
If accused of a violation(s) of sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship violence, stalking and misconduct policies, you may be experiencing a mix of emotions and feelings. ACPHS encourages all responding individuals to seek out the support and guidance of either/both resources listed above.
Know Your Rights
As a respondent you have the right to the following:
- To know your Title IX rights, which include access to all available resources (i.e., counseling, medical services, legal/advocacy & support)
- To be treated with respect by College administrators, faculty, and staff
- To be fully informed of the nature, rules, and procedures of the campus conduct process and to timely written notice of all alleged violations within the complaint including the nature of the violation and possible sanctions.
- To have the College policies and procedures followed
- To not have irrelevant prior sexual history admitted as evidence in a campus investigation
- To request an advocate for support and assistance during the campus investigation process
- To petition that any member of the investigation team be removed on the basis of bias
- To a campus conduct outcome based solely on evidence presented during the conduct process. Such evidence shall be credible, relevant, based in fact, and without prejudice or bias.
- To written notice of the outcome and sanction of the investigation
- To appeal the outcome and/or sanction at the conclusion of the investigation, in accordance with the standards for appeal established by the institution.
- To be informed in advance, when possible, of any public release of information regarding the complaint.
- To be protected against retaliatory harassment
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