Last month, Daemen officials informed students that a sexual assault occurred on campus and was committed by another student. Since then, no additional information has been provided.
All that is known about the incident was provided in email to students sent by the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Title IX Coordinator Kathleen Boone. In her email, Boone wrote that the assault took place in a residence hall on Sept. 12 and the account was considered “a credible report.”
Vice President of Student Affair Greg Nayor explained that no further information could be released.
“Dr. Boone and I were very intentional in crafting a message as to alert the campus so that we were not causing panic about strangers on campus, while also alerting people that this happened. We will not hide these things,” he said.
He also said, should the perpetrator be found responsible, he “could face expulsion or suspension” as well as receive a transcript notation.
Daemen’s history with such issues is relatively small when compared to other colleges. Within the past four years, there have only been a handful of noted citations involving sexual assault. These offenses included fondling and dating violence.
Statistics show that over 50 percent of sexual assaults occur with the first few months of the term and within the first couple semesters of a student’s tenor. Based on what is known, this case aligns in this trend.
During such times, it is important to have support and aid the victim.
Director of Counseling Services Shannon Radder can be found at Wick’s CHIP Center. Working with sexual assault victims is only one of the services provided for students.
“We provide free, private and confidential counseling to all Daemen students. Our staff can support students emotionally after an assault, can help them explore their options of pursuing charges internally with the College or externally with the Amherst Police Department if desired,” Radder said.
Daemen also mandates a bystander training program for students in Greek life, peer mentors, resident assistants and other student leadership roles. However, not all students are required to attend this course. The training is designed to teach students how to identify signals of possible abuse before or after an incident occurs.
Radder also had a message for anyone currently dealing with a sexual assault.
“It is not your fault. You might feel that there is no one you can trust. It is important for you to know that you are not alone, that you will get through this time in your life and that there are people who care and can help you through the healing process,” she said.