Student Life

If you have experienced sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or other forms of gender-based violence, there are resources available for you. Please note, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Student Health Services are confidential resources on campus. All other college employees, including both faculty and staff, are considered Responsible Employees and are required to report incidents of gender-based violence. For more information on confidentiality, how to make a report, and available resources, please see Haverford’s Sexual Misconduct webpage. You are not alone.

You can also call the following resources for 24/7 confidential support, information about your rights and options, and connections to resources:

Regional

Sexual Violence

• Delaware County Victim Assistance Center: 610-566-4342
• Victim Services Center of Montgomery County: 1-888-521-0983 

Intimate Partner Violence

• Laurel House: 1-800-642-3150 or text “HOPE” to 85511
• The Women’s Center of Montgomery County: 1-800-773-2424

National

Sexual Violence

• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Intimate Partner Violence

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant public health issue that can cause poor physical, mental, and social health outcomes. Certain groups are at higher risk of violence, including women, the LGBTQ+ community, and racial and ethnic minoritized groups. GBV is a form of oppression and is rooted in discrimination and prejudice. At Haverford, we are committed to creating a culture of anti-violence, which includes preventing violence before it occurs and providing support and resources for survivors of violence and their loved ones.

Here are some ways we are working to prevent violence on campus:

• Promoting healthy sexuality
• Educating students about consent and healthy relationships
• Empowering students, staff, and faculty as active bystanders
• Working with key stakeholders on and off campus to increase violence prevention initiatives
• Supporting student-led campaigns that bring attention to gender-based violence and sexual health
• Raising awareness of gender-based violence reporting options and services
• Prioritizing trauma-informed care for survivors

We can all take a part in preventing harm through bystander interventions. To be an active bystander, we must notice an event occurring, take responsibility to intervene, and then take action. Remember, it is not always safe or possible to intervene. If you do not feel comfortable taking action, you can call campus safety for support. The “5 D’s” of bystander intervention were shaped by the organization Right to Be and offer techniques to intervene. Read more below.

• Direct. If you feel safe doing so, call in or out the specific behavior directly.
  Example: If you hear someone make a sexist joke or a joke about violence, clearly state that the joke was not funny.
• Delegate: Involve those around you or come up with a plan with your friends.
  Example: If you see someone at a party who looks uncomfortable receiving physical touch from someone else, approaching a friend and saying, “Did you notice that? Would you want to address it with me?”
• Distract: Interrupt the situation by using creativity.
  Example: If you notice a friend is incapacitated by alcohol or other drugs and leaving a party with someone you don’t recognize, you might distract them by asking them to walk to another event with you.
• Document: Record what you saw and provide it to the person who experienced harm later.
  Example: If you feel unsafe intervening and have called campus safety, or if someone else has intervened, document the harmful interaction, such as by writing notes on your phone. This information should only be shared with the person who has experienced harm, who can then decide what they want to do with the documentation. 
• Delay: Address the behavior later with the person potentially causing harm or check in with the person that experienced it and connect them to resources. Remember, if there is immediate danger, it is important not to delay action.
  Example: You can offer the person who has experienced harm resources and options for reporting.

It can be overwhelming to know what to say to someone who has experienced violence. Here are some ways you can help. 

• Start by believing. Communicate with the survivor that you believe them. Refrain from asking too many “why” questions or attempting to investigate what happened–this can lead the survivor to feel they are being blamed for the violence, even if that is not your intention. 
• Remind them it’s not their fault. The survivor is never to blame, regardless of what they were drinking, wearing, or who they were with. Victim-blaming can lead to worsened health outcomes for survivors of violence. 
• Let them know that they are not alone. Offer support and a listening ear and remind them that there are resources available. Encourage them to call a confidential hotline if they want to talk through their options. 
• Remain calm. Do not react to violence with threats or further violence. While you may feel angry, threats of harm against others are not the solution and cause further stress for the survivor or potentially put them in danger.
• Remember to take care of yourself. Hearing about the details of violence or navigating providing support for a survivor can be difficult. While you can offer support, you are not responsible for other people’s health or healing. If you need support, counseling is available. You can also call a confidential hotline to talk through your feelings and seek additional support. 

Haverford College seeks to support students to make responsible and healthy decisions relating to alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. Please be sure to become familiar with the Alcohol Policy, the Drug Policy, Haverford College Policy on Drug-Free Schools.

Educational Appointments: If you are seeking additional information about AOD use, harm-reduction strategies, or supporting loved ones who may have AOD issues, you can contact the Director of Health and Wellbeing Education for an individual appointment. During this appointment, you can explore AOD use in a safe, and non-judgemental setting, as well as receive resources/referrals. If you are seeking counseling for AOD use, please contact CAPS at 610-896-1290.

Alcohol Harm Reduction Tips:

• Alternate alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic beverages
• Eat before you start drinking and while you drink
• Keep track of the number of drinks you consume
• Designate a specific length of time between drinks
• Avoid combining alcohol with other drugs
• Don’t leave drinks unattended (If you believe your drink or a friend’s drink has been “spiked”, such as with Rohypnol or GHB, reach out for help immediately. Remember, if a drink is “spiked” and violence occurs, it is never the victim’s fault.)
• Drink beverages with lower alcohol percentages

Signs of Alcohol Overdose: If you are seeking help for someone who is intoxicated, the Good Samaritan Law provides you with legal protection, even if you have also used a substance, such as alcohol. You must stay with the individual until help has arrived. Do NOT wait until a peer shows all of these signs before calling Campus Safety.

• Mental confusion
• Difficulty remaining conscious or inability to wake up
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Slow or irregular breathing
• Slow heart rate
• Clammy skin
• Low body temperature, bluish skin, or paleness

There are resources available if you or someone you know is struggling with a substance-related issue.

Risk Assessment, Education, and Prevention

• Campus Drug Prevention:
 Resources to prevent drug misuse among college students
• Rethinking Your Drinking?: Tools and information to help you evaluate your relationship with alcohol and tips on making changes to improve your health
• National Institute on Drug Abuse:
 Accurate facts about specific drugs, research, and clinical resources
• Start Your Recovery:
 Substance misuse information, signs of a problem, treatment and recovery information, and in-recovery resources
• Drink Responsibly:
 Be a responsible drinker. Try the virtual bar calculator. Take the Think Responsibly Quiz.

Support Groups

• Alcoholics Anonymous:
 Find an AA meeting to attend in person or online
• Narcotics Anonymous: Find an NA meeting to attend in person or online
• Al-Anon: Provides support for friends and family members of those with alcohol use disorders
• Nar-Anon: Provides support for friends and family members of those struggling with addiction.