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Where to Get Help
You Are Not Alone
Everyone’s experience with sexual violence is unique. Tuning into what you want or need may help determine which action steps, if any, you choose to pursue.
It is important to note that below are recommended guidelines and useful resources to know following a sexual assault or harassment and are not meant to be directive. If you wish to learn more about your options, have any questions, or wish to have someone support/assist you through any actions you wish to take following sexual violence or harassment, you can reach out to the Title IX Coordinator.
If you’ve experienced any type of sexual assault
● If you are in an immediate crisis call 9-1-1 or Campus Safety at 814-886-6327.
● Get to a safe place.
● Call a friend, a family member, or someone you can trust and ask them to stay with you.
● Even if you think that you do not have any physical injuries, it is highly recommended that you have a medical examination and discuss the possibility of sexually transmitted infections with a medical provider.
Filing a Report
You have multiple options when filing a report. If you wish, you can file a report through Mount Aloysius College or with the police or both.
Resources
Whether you’re living on or off campus, there are resources available to help if you have been impacted by sexual harassment, misconduct and/or discrimination, or if you are just looking for more information.
Support (On and Off-Campus)
There are many resources available to you as a Mount Aloysius community member, including students and faculty/staff, both on and off-campus. A list of private, and confidential resources (see "What If I Share My Story" document) is available. As a reminder, confidential resources are not obligated to report information that is given to them allowing you or the person you know to evaluate their options in a non-pressure environment.
Supportive Measures
Even if you do not wish to pursue a college or criminal investigation or file/sign a Formal Complaint, the College can still provide you with accommodations so that you can be in a safe and comfortable environment. To learn more, see below.
Suicide Prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Counseling
All counseling options below are “confidential resources”. This means those resources are not obligated to report information that is given to them. This allows the client to explore their options in a no-pressure environment in order to make informed decisions. The only exceptions to this rule are in cases that involve imminent risk of serious harm, emergent hospitalization, or a court order. While specific information may be kept confidential, these incidents may be counted for statistical purposes, as per the Clery Act. Non-confidential resources are required by law to report these incidents/violations.
On-Campus
Student Health & Wellness Center
Counseling Center
Administration Building, St. Joseph’s Hall, Room 101
Normal business hours are 8:30AM-5:00PM, limited evening appointments available.
Call (814) 886-6515 or (814) 886-6539
Email counseling@mtaloy.edu
Or fill out the form on the website.
After hours:
Campus Safety
814-886-6327
Cambria County Crisis 24/7
1-877-268-9463
Suicide Hotline
1-800-273-8255
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
Women’s Help Center
814-536-5361
Off-Campus
Victim Services, Inc.
638 Ferndale Avenue
Johnstown, PA 15905
814-288-4961
https://victimservicesinc.org/
Victim Services
2022 Broad Avenue
Altoona, PA 16601
814-944-3585
Helpline: 814-944-3585
The Women’s Help Center
809 Napoleon St.
Johnstown, PA 15901
814-536-5361
24 hour hotline: 800-999-7406
https://www.womenshelpcenter.org/
Cambria County District Attorney’s Office
Gregory J. Neugebauer, District Attorney
Heath M Long, First Assistant
200 Center Street
Ebensburg, PA 15931
814-472-1680
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Medical Assistance
Even if you have no apparent injuries after the assault, it is still recommended that you seek medical care. You may come to the Student Health Center or you may go to any hospital you choose. Students have a couple of different confidential options when looking to obtain medical treatment. Going to the hospital does not mean that you have to make a report to the police. That is your option. There is also no cost for a forensic examination and no bill should be generated.
Students have a couple of different confidential options when looking to obtain medical treatment. Going to the hospital does not mean that you have to make a report to the police. That is your choice. There is also no cost for a forensic examination and no bill should be generated. You may come to Health Services or you may go to any hospital you choose. If you think you were drugged or consumed a sedative-like substance, visit the closest emergency room immediately as well as ask the medical provider to take a urine sample. If you need to be transferred from Health Services to another emergency care site, EMS can transport you.
On Campus
Student Health & Wellness Center
Health Services
Administration Building, St. Joseph’s Hall, Room 101
Normal business hours are 7:30AM-4:00PM
Call (814) 886-6515 or (814) 886-6391
Off-Campus Local Hospital Care
Local hospitals can also provide services to address physical injuries, including medical evidence collection. In the event of a sexual assault, hospital staff can help students start the Sexual Assault Response Team Activation Process. An advocate will be deployed to the hospital to help you through the process and talk about your options. Medical evidence collection is conducted by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and can be useful if you decide to pursue criminal charges against the offender within 5 years. Medical evidence collection needs to be done within 5 DAYS of the incident.
At the hospital, you will be asked questions about your general health. If you are female, you will be asked about your menstrual history and your use of contraception. You will also be asked specific questions about the assault. It may be difficult to recall some of the details, and it may be emotionally painful to talk about what happened. Medical providers ask specific questions to find out what to look for when they examine you. The information you give helps them conduct a thorough physical evaluation.
Then you will have a general physical exam and if you are female, a pelvic exam. The clinician will check for external and internal injuries and test for any sexually transmitted infections. You may be given antibiotics to prevent infection. For females, a pregnancy test will be done and you will be given emergency contraceptive pills to prevent unintended pregnancy.
External Resources and Support Services
Note: We have provided the links as a service/resource, but we are not responsible for the content of these sites. When we posted the addresses, the sites contained appropriate content that may be valuable to those seeking dating/domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or related information. Should you find these pages no longer reflect the intention in which we’ve shared them, please notify the Office of Title IX and Sexual Misconduct so the continuation of posting the content can be evaluated.
Stalking Resources
Stalking Incident and Behavior Log
The Stalking Log can be used to record and document all stalking-related behavior.
Device and Data Access When Personal Safety is at Risk – Handbook for Apple Devices
Apple makes it easy to connect and share your life with the people closest to you. What you share, and whom you share it with, is up to you — including the decision to make changes to better protect your information or personal safety. If you’d like to revisit what you share with other people, or restore your device’s original settings for any reason, this guide can help you understand what information you are sharing via your Apple devices, and how to make changes to protect your safety. It includes step-by-step instructions on how to remove someone’s access to information you’ve previously granted: from location data on the Find My app, to meetings you’ve scheduled via Calendar. If you’re concerned that someone is accessing information you did not share from your Apple device, this guide will also help you identify risks, and walk you through the steps to help make the technology you rely on as private and secure as you want it to be.
Intimate Partner Violence Resources
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV)
The mission of NJCEDV is to lead collaborative community and systemic responses to domestic violence by providing public awareness, training, advocacy, policy development, technical assistance and supportive services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides free confidential 24/7 support to victims of Domestic Violence through phone (1.800.799.SAFE or 1.800.799.7233) or live chat. (en espanol)
National Network to End Domestic Violence – Technology Safety
Technology Safety is exploring technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women.
The Technology Abuse Log can be used to record and document any incidents of abuse utilizing technology that occur in a dating/domestic relationship.
Highly-trained advocates offer support, information and advocacy to young people who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships. Free and confidential phone, live chat and texting services are available 24/7/365
myPlan is a tool to help with safety decisions if you, or someone you care about, is experiencing abuse in their intimate relationship.
Housing Assistance
The options available are based on your local Domestic Violence Agency who can assist with providing emergency housing and/or transitional housing.
● Emergency Housing – Emergency Housing is a short term housing option where individuals can receive support services in a safe and welcoming environment after a traumatic experience.
● Transitional Residential Housing – Residential Housing is provided to foster independence and self-sufficiency for domestic violence victims and their children.
Sexual Violence Resources
RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network)
RAINN runs the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which offers 24/7 support to anyone who has experienced sexual violence.
Support for men who have experienced abusive or unwanted sexual experiences.
End Rape on Campus (EROC) works to end campus sexual violence through direct support for survivors and their communities; prevention through education; and policy reform at the campus, local, state, and federal levels.
Resources Based on an Individual's Identity
LGBTQIA+ Resources
Created and staffed by transgender people, the Trans Lifeline is for any transgender person in crisis.
Serving gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning individuals by providing peer support and local resources.
Trans Women of Color Collective
TWOCC is uplifting the narratives, leadership, and lived experiences of transpeople of color, while building towards the collective liberation of all oppressed people.
What Healthy Relationships Can Look Like Through an LGBTQ+ Lens
This resource offers examples that show the unique ways that One Love’s 10 Healthy Signs might appear in LGBTQ+ relationships.
Tips for Supporting a LGBTQ+ Friend in an Unhealthy Relationship
Helpful tips to help you talk to your friend or someone you know who may be in an abusive or unhealthy relationship.
BIPOC Resources
INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence
An activist organization of radical feminist women of color working to end violence against women of color.
BWB works to place Black women and girls’ lives as well as their particular struggles squarely within the context of the larger racial justice concerns of Black communities and are committed to building movements where gender matters in broader social justice organizing so that all members of our communities gain social, political and economic equity.
The National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault
SCESA was established for Women of Color across the country engaged in the Anti-Sexual Assault Movement. We were founded in sisterhood and flourish through community as we continue to address multiple layers of discrimination faced by Women of Color and Communities of Color.
Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community
IDVAAC is an organization focused on the unique circumstances of African Americans as they face issues related to domestic violence, including intimate partner violence, child abuse, elder maltreatment, and community violence.
Mending the Sacred Hoop works from a social change perspective to end violence against Native women and children while restoring the safety, sovereignty, and sacredness of Native women.
The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
NIWRC is a Native nonprofit organization that was created specifically to serve as the National Indian Resource Center (NIRC) Addressing Domestic Violence and Safety for Indian Women.
AAPI Resources
National Organization of Asians and Pacific Islanders Ending Sexual Violence
NAPIESV is a national organization established by Asian and Pacific Islander anti-sexual assault advocates to give voice to the experiences of Asian and Pacific Islander women and girls who are victims of sexual assault.
New Jersey-based (New Brunswick) organization that works to end violence against South Asian women (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka).
Saheli’s mission is to empower South Asian women and their families to live safe and healthy lives.
Children, Teen, and Young Adult Resources
Childhelp runs the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, which offers 24/7 support for anyone affected by child abuse.
Hotline for teens and young adults dealing with depression, suicidal thoughts, addiction, physical or sexual abuse, gang violence or an overwhelming challenge.
Pandora’s Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and resources to survivors of rape and sexual abuse and their friends and family.
Pregnancy and Parenting Resources
Planned Parenthood Federation of America is a nonprofit organization that provides sexual health care in the United States and globally. Chat online or text “PPNOW” to 774636 (PPINFO) to get answers.
All-Options (formerly Backline) uses direct service and social change strategies to promote unconditional, judgement-free support for people in all of their decisions, feelings, and experiences with pregnancy, parenting, abortion, and adoption.
Resources for Support and Awareness
24/7 Hotline Services
RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network)
RAINN runs the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which offers 24/7 support to anyone who has experienced sexual violence.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Crisis Text Line is a global not-for-profit organization providing free crisis intervention via SMS message.
Highly-trained advocates offer support, information and advocacy to young people who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships. Free and confidential phone, live chat and texting services are available 24/7/365.
The Victim Connect Helpline provides information and referrals for victims of all crime and can be reached at 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846).
National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides free confidential 24/7 support to victims of Domestic Violence through phone (1.800.799.SAFE or 1.800.799.7233) or live chat. (en espanol)
Information and Awareness
Find in-depth information and helpful resources related to Title IX.
The go-to site for information and resources about the Clery Act.
The Center for Changing Our Campus Culture
The Center for Changing Our Campus Culture is an online resource to address sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
A social movement created by Barack Obama and White House Council on Women and Girls to raise awareness and fight against sexual assault on college campuses for both men and women.
Without My Consent is a non-profit organization seeking to combat online invasions of privacy.
The ‘me too’ Movement™ founded by Tarana Burke is committed to bringing resources, support, and pathways to healing as well as, building a community of advocates to interrupt sexual violence.
The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC)
SPARC is a federally funded project providing education and resources about the crime of stalking.
Part of a national movement of sexual violence-related services and resources. Work to end sexual violence and support survivors happens at the local, state and national level in the U.S.