Assault Contact Team (ACT): Faculty / Staff Resources
ACT: Assault Contact Team @ Ramapo College of New Jersey
If a student discloses a sexual assault to you, in almost all cases, the appropriate response is to refer them to the Assault Contact Team or ACT.
In those rare cases where a student would be contacting you immediately following an assault, and may have injuries, please follow the medical protocol below. If not, see the next section for directions.
Has the student sustained physical injuries, in addition to the assault, which warrant immediate medical attention?
This refers to visible injuries (e.g., broken bones). Keep in mind that many injuries may be internal and nonvisible . In all cases, students should be encouraged to get medical attention.
- If yes, call Public Safety at ext. 7432. Public Safety will call Mahwah Police to dispatch an ambulance. They will also contact the Bergen County Sexual Assault Response Team which is required when an assault has taken place within the last 5 days. Students will have the option of meeting with a police officer, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (for evidence collection) at a local hospital, and a member of the Bergen County Rape Crisis Center. Students wishing to use any or all of the County ACT services may also still avail themselves of campus services such as ACT, the Counseling Center, etc.
- (Assuming the student is conscious), explain limits of confidentiality: Public Safety will complete a "Transport of Injured Student" report, but at the student's request, the assault need not be mentioned until student arrives at hospital.
- Explain to the student his/her right to meet with an ACT member prior to making any decisions about making an incident report about the assault.
- Student should be advised of possible "third party" college investigation of incident
If student refuses medical treatment or transport in ambulance, they must sign off on a form from medics.
Students can also contact the Bergen County Police directly if the assault has taken place within the past five days. Students can call (201) 646-2700 to activate the Bergen County Sexual Assault Response Team. Students will have the option of meeting with a police officer, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (for evidence collection) at a local hospital, and a member of the Bergen County Rape Crisis Center. Students wishing to use any or all of the County ACT services may also still avail themselves of campus services such as ACT, the Counseling Center, etc.
If the student does NOT need immediate medical attention, you must still discuss post-assault medical care.
Explain what ACT is. Emphasize the following points:
- Meeting with an ACT member does not mean that the student must make a report to Public Safety or speak with Police.
- The ACT member will thoroughly explain all options and choices, answer any questions, and provide referrals.
- Speaking with an ACT member is confidential--at the student's request, only an anonymous report is filed (for mandatory federal statistics gathering purposes only). *However, if the incident is deemed a threat to public safety, the school does reserve the right to issue a public warning (no names released), and/or investigate the incident.
If the student agrees to meet with an ACT member, let them choose from the names on the ACT Phone List (if after regular business hours, contact one of the two Emergency On-Call Counselors through Public Safety). Call the ACT member on behalf of the student, or allow the student to use your phone to set up the meeting. Walk the student to the ACT member's office or ask that the ACT member come directly to meet with the student at your office.
If the student decides not to meet with an ACT member and does not wish to file an incident report with Public Safety (both decisions are their right), it is your responsibility to:
- Review medical care information with them
- Give them an ACT Resource Packet (copies available from the Vice President for Student Affairs)
- Offer the services of the Bergen County Rape Crisis Center
- Complete the anonymous crime report form (and deliver to an ACT member or the Office of Student Affairs)
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