With the creation of my position on campus as the Coordinator for Prevention of Gender-Based Violence, students, staff, and faculty will see additions in the upcoming academic year to the types of programs and training offered at Albertus Magnus College.
The Albertus community will have the opportunity to be trained in bystander intervention, an important component of preventing intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Another big focus for myself and the Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT) is to make sure that any student, staff, or faculty who does experience gender-based violence – whether it occurred during their time at Albertus or before – receives the support they need to feel safe. To make that happen, the CCRT is building relationships with community agencies, making sure that information about these agencies is published and accessible to everyone at Albertus to solidify a strong referral process. Our goal shared is to remove every barrier possible for students who might want counseling, help with getting a restraining order, or to get support from our community partners in any way.
Here is some information about two community agencies that Albertus is currently working with:
The Women and Families Center provides free, confidential support for anyone who has been sexually assaulted. There is a Campus Advocate for the Women and Families Center, meaning their whole job is to work with students on college campuses. If a student is seeking accommodations from Albertus because they were hurt by another student, the Campus Advocate helps them fill out paperwork, can accompany them to meetings, and just be an extra support in a confusing and emotionally tough process. They can meet with students on campus, or if someone wants to go to their office but doesn’t have a car, Student Services can help with transportation.
The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services provides free, confidential support for anyone who has experienced intimate partner violence – domestic violence or dating violence. They offer free counseling, shelter in a confidential location, and have advocates who can accompany survivors to court. Student Services can assist with transportation to the Umbrella Center if needed. Both agencies have 24-hour confidential hotlines. These will be listed below:
Women and Families Center: (203) 235-4444
The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services: (203) 789-8104
If you have any questions about these resources, or about what Albertus Magnus College is doing to address gender-based violence, please contact me at (203) 773-4477.
About the Author
Kelsey Alexander (she/her/hers) has been with Albertus since February 2019. She believes wholeheartedly in the power of young people to end violence in our communities and world. She lives in Middletown, CT with her girlfriend and their two cats, and loves hiking, cooking vegetarian feasts, dancing, and going to concerts. She is finishing a Master of Public Health degree in May of 2020.