State Police conclude third annual seminar to combat sexual assault on college campuses
The New York State Police Campus Sexual Assault Victims Unit hosted its third annual Campus Sexual Assault Seminar in Albany this week. The seminar is part of the CSAVU’s annual outreach and training program, which is part of the unit’s mission to reduce sexual violence on college campuses statewide.
More than 300 participants registered for the seminar, which began Monday, Oct. 15, and concluded Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, at the State Police Academy on the Harriman State Office Building Campus in Albany. The stakeholders attending the conference included members of the law enforcement community, campus public safety officials, Title IX coordinators, campus administrators, faculty and staff, victim advocates, medical professionals, prosecutors and attorneys.
State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “Interaction between our law enforcement officials and the schools, as well as other community partners, is key in helping to keep our campuses safe. I commend our Campus Sexual Assault Victims Unit for the work that they do on our campuses throughout New York State. The relationships that they have built combined with the execution of an effective prevention education campaign, and seminars such as this, are imperative in carrying out their mission to reduce sexual assault on our college campuses.”
New York State Police Technical Lieutenant Gary Kelly who oversees the CSAVU said, “In addition to raising awareness about sexual assault on college campuses, our annual seminar is a unique opportunity for all stakeholders involved in combating sexual assault to get the most relevant and current training by learning from experts in the field and collaborating with fellow colleagues about best practices. This equips them with the essential tools they need to make a difference in the fight against sexual assault and bring justice to victims.”
The three-day seminar featured experts who presented on a number of topics, including investigation of sexual assault cases, victim trauma and forensic interviewing, crossing gender barriers and a culturally conscious response to sexual assault.
The seminar complements ongoing outreach efforts by the State Police CSAVU, which has been attending college orientation sessions and providing training for students and other stakeholders across the state.
The State Police CSAVU, which was created by was created by the landmark “Enough is Enough” legislation signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in July of 2015. The mission of the CSAVU is to reduce the incidence and facilitate the reporting of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking on college and university campuses, through a prevention education campaign, a response training program, and by providing support and assistance to students, faculty and staff, university police, campus safety, local law enforcement, and victim advocates. The unit also investigates campus sexual crimes that are reported to the State Police, and provides investigative support as requested by campus and local law enforcement agencies.
Eleven State Police Senior Investigators assigned to the unit have been located regionally across the state, and provide training and serve as a resource for students, college and university staff, campus and local police, and victim advocates.
The CSAVU has also held regional training conferences in Syracuse, Schenectady, Buffalo, Geneseo, Clinton, Pomona, Purchase and Albany as well as additional multi-day training events across the state.
Since its inception, the Campus Sexual Assault Victims Unit has visited every college and university campus in New York State conducting educational presentations. The unit has also investigated or assisted in the investigations of over 238 college sexual assault cases, resulting in 54 arrests.
The State Police have also established a statewide hotline for victims to request State Police assistance. That number is: 844-845-7269. For more information about the CSAVU visit troopers.ny.org.