Despite national news of the mishandling of sexual assaults on campuses growing, Oswego State continues to strive to have the best outcomes, according to Title IX experts.
According to the 2016 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, the number of reported incidents of sexual assault on the Oswego State campus rose.
However, this fact could be misleading, as many believe the number of people reporting their assaults is rising, while the actual number of assaults has remained generally static.
“We have seen an increase in reports because we are doing so much awareness,” said Lisa Evaneski, Title IX coordinator. “We believe people feel more confident about how their case will be handled.”
Meanwhile, the handling of sexual assault reports on campus is not a simple thing.
“There are so many different options,” said Becky Nadzadi, Title IX investigator. “The reporting party really drives the process.”
When a student at Oswego State reports a sexual assault, they meet with Evaneski and complete an intake form. The victim is informed of their rights, given an opportunity to voice what happened and given an outline of what their options are and what each option entails and looks like.
Evaneski’s main motive in this process is to figure out exactly what the victim needs at the moment, whether that is medical attention, counseling or criminal charges against the perpetrator.
Similarly, if a victim is interested in proceeding with criminal charges, Evaneski will help the victim to understand the difference between criminal and conduct charges and what a hearing looks like versus a criminal court case.
Additionally, Evaneski will accompany the victim to University Police if they are interested in proceeding with charges or would like to discuss the matter further with authorities. Meeting with University Police does not mean that a student must proceed with filing charges, but the police will help the victim to understand what kind of crime it would be based on the statutes.
Nadzadi steps in after the reporting party has chosen to get involved with Student Conduct if the accused is a student. If the accused is not a student, faculty or anyone associated with the school, Nadzadi cannot get involved because she cannot hold a non-student accountable for anything.
Nevertheless, after the reporting party has chosen to get involved with Student Conduct, Nadzadi begins her investigation. Nadzadi made it clear that investigations are seldom the same.
“The ‘investigation’ word can be a little misleading sometimes,” Nadzadi said. “It depends on what the reporting party is looking for. The investigation piece is sometimes figuring out what occurred and doing interviews with witnesses, the reporting party, the accused party and anyone else that may be associated or involved.”
However, the accused is not informed that the reporting party made a report unless the reporting party has consented to them knowing. The accused will be invited in to talk after being made aware that an investigation has started.
Both the reporting party and the accused are offered various services.
“Sometimes it’s really just about what services the reporting party or the accused party really needs to help them through this process,” Nadzadi said. “That might be getting them connected with the counseling center, getting them connected with a SAF advocate or working through the criminal process with them.”
Jake West, an SAF advocate, said that as an advocate, his role is to, “provide a safe confidential space where victims can come, where they will be believed and supported.”
As an advocate for SAF, West will discuss the options the victim has, provide emotional support and safety planning and connect victims with even further services for their benefit. West can also prepare orders of protection, custody petitions, accompany victims to criminal court and assist victims with filing police reports.
There is an advocate on call 24 hours a day for accompaniment to ensure that victims never have to feel alone when utilizing the services of SAF.
Photo Rachel Futterman | The Oswegonian
