As conversations regarding sexual misconduct continue both nationally and at Baldwin Wallace University, a variety of resources are available to the entire campus community through the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC).

The CRCC maintains a campus satellite office at the BW Health Center, where Tessa Greene is the campus outreach specialist. Though the name of the organization specifically mentions “rape,” Greene said sexual violence may take “a wide variety” of forms and the CRCC offers resources and support for all survivors.

“[CRCC] is here to support survivors of any type of sexual violence,” Greene said. “So that might be sexual harassment, that could be inappropriate touching, that could also be rape.”

The CRCC is also available to friends and supporters of victims as well as to individuals who may be confused or unsure about their experience with sexual violence.

“No one has to be exactly sure of what they are there to work on or what they’re looking for, because we want to be available to folks no matter what stage they’re at,” said Greene.

The CRCC offers a range of services, including 24/7 resources, victim advocacy, therapy, and education and outreach. These services, said Greene, are available to “the entire campus community,” including faculty and staff, as well as students.

Greene said the CRCC’s 24/7 hotline is a “blanket resource” that offers support and information for survivors and supporters. The hotline can be accessed by calling or texting (216)-619-6192 or by an online chat through the organization’s website, clevelandrapecrisis.org.

“The 24/7 hotline is always anonymous, free, [and] confidential,” Greene said. “It’s for anyone at any time, really, who might need some support or information.”

Also available 24/7 from the CRCC are advocates for crisis response, said Greene.

“We have folks that are crisis intervention specialists, and they can meet folks at hospitals and police departments, including on-campus police departments.” said Greene. “If someone was at a hospital getting a forensic exam completed, or if someone wanted to make a report to police or campus police and they wanted someone to support them through that process, we have folks available 24/7 to meet them for those things.”

In addition to the 24/7 response resources, the CRCC also has a “campus victims specialist” who can act as an advocate for victims at BW. Advocates can help explain Title IX and legal processes to a victim and can accompany victims to meetings and hearings related to their case.

“Our advocates sort of act as guides and assistants through criminal, civil, or campus proceedings related to sexual violence,” said Greene. “So those folks can really be there before, during, and after those processes.”

The CRCC also offers a variety of options for therapeutic services as well, said Greene. Individual therapy sessions on BW’s campus with CRCC staff are available by appointment and are not limited to the campus walk-in hours. Individual and group-style therapy sessions are also available in the CRCC’s Cleveland office. Appointments can be requested online or by calling the CRCC’s central intake line at (216)-619-6194 ext. 141.

Appointments can also be requested during the CRCC’s BW walk-in hours, which are from 1 to 5 pm on Wednesdays throughout Spring 2018. As the campus outreach specialist, Greene is available during walk-in hours to provide information and to intake new clients for counseling services.

Greene and other CRCC staff members are also available to provide educational outreach programming for interested classes and departments as well as student, faculty and staff groups. These workshops and training, which cover a variety of topics including advocacy, heathy relationships, consent, and bystander intervention, can be scheduled throughout the week. Additionally, the CRCC offers volunteer and internship opportunities to interested individuals, which can be found on their website.

As a confidential resource, the CRCC does not report instances of sexual misconduct to BW or to law enforcement, said Greene, but CRCC advocates can help survivors “understand what their options [are] in terms of reporting…and what the process might be.”

Noting that “sexual violence is a crime about power and control,” Greene said that it is important for survivors to have a sense of control in deciding whether or how they wish to continue with university or legal proceedings. She said it is the “goal” of the CRCC to “give power and control back to survivors.”

“Survivors should always have a voice and choice in what’s next for them,” Greene said.