Newberry College

Surviving Crime with Assistance

The issue in life is not whether we will experience tragedy; the issue is how will we recover from it. If you are a victim of crime, it is helpful to recognize that the experience is traumatic. Feeling violated and vulnerable because someone has forcefully entered your private space and rifled through your personal belongings is an understandable reaction to property crime. Fear that other types of crimes may happen is also a common reaction.

Responses to a crime range from temporary sleep or appetite problems to problems of concentration or irritability. Most of these symptoms are temporary and may gradually fade after you talk with friends, family or a counselor.

If you have been a victim of a personal crime by a stranger or acquaintance that involved a physical, armed or sexually aggressive confrontation, we encourage you to seek support. All services listed below are confidential.

On-campus Support

• Counseling Services 321-5373
• Campus Pastor 321-2052
• Health Services 321-5271
• Dean of Students 321-5147
• Director of Campus Security 321-5602

Off-campus Support

• Rape Crisis 24 hour line 1-888-297-4546
• Solicitor's Office 864-984-2202

Sexual Assault Support Services

Newberry College is an academic community committed to the goal of educating men and women to become responsible citizens and leaders in society. The college aims to develop individual excellence and to prepare students for life during and after college. Student Affairs, Campus Security and Counseling Services all provide assistance to the campus community. Newberry College is committed to having a campus environment which will neither tolerate nor condone sexual violence.

The Newberry College Campus Security Department staff and the Newberry Police Department is available on a 24 hour basis to receive and investigate reports of rape and sexual assault, assist and accompany victim in securing medical attention, participate in evidence preservation and collection, conduct investigations, and inform the victim of legal and administrative options both on and off campus.

What to do if you are a victim of sexual violence:

• Find a friend for support.
• Get medical attention. A physical examination will help to assure that any injuries will be identified and treated and that sexually transmitted disease testing will be provided and followed up.
• Evidence may be obtained and kept in case the victim decides to pursue criminal charges. Do not bathe, shower, douche or change clothes before the exam.
• Report the crime. The decision to report is the victim's. There are several ways to take action, criminal prosecution or through the college’s disciplinary system or both. Contact Campus Security or the Dean of Students.
• Seek counseling. Support through a trained counselor can help the victim understand and work through the trauma.
• The Office of Student Affairs is responsible for college disciplinary procedures following a report of rape or sexual assault between students. Both accuser and accused are entitled to have an advisor present at all hearings and proceedings. Both parties shall be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary hearing. Possible sanctions for being found guilty include but are not limited to, expulsion, probation, counseling and other sanctions as deemed appropriate by the hearing body. The victim's academic and living situation will be changed upon request if reasonably available.

If you are a victim of an off campus assault, you should report this to the local police authority having jurisdiction. If you want assistance from the Campus Security Department with this process, a Newberry College Security Officer will accompany you upon request to the Newberry College Counselor.