Center for Women and Gender Equity

On Campus

Our campus offers three types of resources. Confidential and Privileged, Confidential, and Non-Confidential. Confidential and privileged resources will not report the incidents to the university. Confidential resources are resources that will not report the name of the survivor but are required to report basic information to the University. Non-Confidential resources are resources that are required to report incidents to the university. 

• Counseling Center
  • Confidential and Privileged Resource
  • Individual Counseling
  • Group Counseling
• Student Health Center
  • Confidential Resource
  • Medical support
• Center for Women & Gender Equity
  • Non-Confidential resource
  • Provides referrals

Off Campus 

While it is not necessary for you to report the incident, we encourage you to at least go to the hospital and get a rape kit done within 72 hours of the attack. A rape kit, firstly, preserves the evidence of the attack if you wish to press charges, but more importantly, the rape kit will ensure your vaginal health and safety. 

You will also be able to receive prescriptions for Plan B and sexually transmitted infection medicines, including HIV prevention medicine. It is imperative that you do not bathe yourself or get rid of or wash the clothes you were wearing when you were attacked, for that can destroy vital evidence. 

You do not have to do anything with the rape kit if you do not wish to do so. You do not have to press charges with the rape kit, and nothing will be done to begin the process of pressing charges without your consent. 

Tower Health Hospital in Phoenixville are the only places in the area where one can receive a rape kit procedure by a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner ("SANE") nurse. If you are without transportation, transportation can be provided for you. A Crime Victims' Advocate can be arranged to meet you and assist you with the procedure. 

• Reporting the Assault 
  • If the rape or sexual assault occurred on-campus: You can make a confidential report at Student Health Services or the Counseling Center.
  • If the rape or sexual assault occurred off-campus: You can make a confidential report at Student Health Services or the Counseling Center.
  • If you wish to formally report the assault you need to go to the police station in the town/borough of where the assault happened.
  • The campus Sexual Misconduct Policy can provide more information about what happens after you report.

Important Resources

• 1 in 6: The mission of 1in 6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives
• Male Survivor: Male Survivor is an online community which provides resources and support for men who were sexually victimized as children, adolescents, or adults
• The Crime Victims' Center of Chester County: Provides a variety of survivor services and a 24-hour hotlines of support for those who either:
  • Were attacked in Chester County, or
  • Reside in Chester County (this includes university students)
    • The sexual assault/rape hotline is 610-692-7273
• • The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR):Works to raise awareness about rape and sexual assault
  • You can find certified PCAR centers and information about Pennsylvania rape and sexual assault laws on this website
• • The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)The leading rape and sexual assault awareness organization
  • Provides a 24-hour hotline that you can call: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Or, you can connect with their online hotline

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If you or someone you know is in a situation of possible sexual harassment or where you think you are being treated unfairly because of your gender, you can get informal support or help with how to handle the problem from the following campus resources: 

• Center for Women and Gender Equity: Support and resources for students
• The Office of Student Conduct: Assists with formal complaints regarding student-to-student harassment
• Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Assists with formal complains regarding employee-to-student or faculty/staff harassment 

On Campus:

• Counseling Services: “Personal Counseling consists of a one-to-one counseling experience where the focus is upon: (1) resolving personal conflicts, (2) resolving conflicts with others, and (3) improving your expertise at making personally meaningful choices."
• Group Therapy Services: The therapy groups include (1) navigating relationship group, (2) women’s group, (3) RAM support group, (4) grief group, and (5) stress-less: what to do when life is a mess group.

Off Campus:

• Ok2Talk.org: This website is sponsored by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). “OK2TALK is a community where teens and young adults struggling with mental health conditions can find a safe place to talk about what they’re experiencing by sharing their personal stories of recovery, tragedy, struggle or hope.” Visitors to this site can also find resources, support services, and a phone number to talk to someone (1-800-273-8255).
• Culturally and Racially Sensitive Mental Health Treatment Services: This resource guide was created by Healthy Minds Philly. It includes a list of mental health treatment services provided by BIPOC professionals.
• Trans Lifeline: “Support for transgender people by transgender people.” Phone number to call for support: 1-877-565-8860.
• SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline: “Provides advocacy and services for LGBT older adults age 50 and over.” 
  • Phone number to call for support: 1-888-234-SAGE.
• The LGBT National Hotline: “Peer support and local resource for all ages.”
  • Phone number to call for support: 1-888-843-4564.

COVID-19 Related Support Services:

• Move to End Violence: Building Movement for Social Change: Resources, Tools, and Articles in Response to COVID-19
• Active Minds: Mental Health Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Mind Matters: Navigating Mental Health Concerns During COVID-19
• Face COVID-19 by Russ Harris
• The Wellness Society: Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook
• Managing Coronavirus Anxiety: 10 Tips from a Professional Psychologist

• Alcohol Dependency Resources: This link includes resources compiled by Healthy Minds Philly. A list of resources is provided that includes online AA meetings, community behavioral health residence, PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and additional resources.
• Opioid Dependency Resources: This link includes resources compiled by Healthy Minds Philly. A list of resources is provided that includes community organizations and additional resources.
• Addiction Resources: This link includes substance abuse resources to help individuals with addiction. In addition, a list of NA meetings and AA meetings can be found on this site.
• South Eastern Pennsylvania Intergroup Association for Alcoholics Anonymous: This link provides a listing of local AA meetings in the South Eastern PA region.

On Campus:

• Resource Pantry on Campus: The WCU Resource Pantry supports student success by minimizing food and basic need insecurity and preparing students for life after graduation. 
• The Resource Pantry is open to ALL undergraduate and graduate students at WCU, regardless of need level. No appointment necessary, walk-in's are welcome at any time during hours of operation. 
• The pantry offers non-perishable food, fresh produce from the campus gardens, personal care items, school supplies, and winter and career clothing.

Off Campus

• The Renfrew Center Treatment Facility: A local facility devoted to helping individuals overcome their eating disorders 
  • National Eating Disorders AssociationEducational resource
  • Nationwide referrals
• Communities of HEALing Support Group: “Communities of HEALing support groups are open to anyone who has struggled with an eating disorder. Group is facilitated by recovered people and is a safe place to share with and learn from other people who understand what it means to fight for recovery.”

On-Campus:

• West Chester University Student Health Center
  • Provides free condoms, STI testing, contraception, emergency contraception, and pregnancy testing to WCU students

Off-Campus:

• Planned Parenthood
  • Provides comprehensive sexual and reproductive services for everyone including: STI testing, family planning support, reproductive services, preventative screenings, as well as many other forms of care
  • Planned Parenthood has locations all around Pennsylvania
• Chester County Health Department
  • Located here in West Chester, the Chester County Health Department provides free STI/HIV testing during their clinic walk-in hours
  • The CCHD also provides HPV vaccinations free of charge to individuals 26 and under
• Family Services of Chester County- Project ONE
  • Assists Chester County residents who are HIV positive with housing, substance abuse, and medical care
  • Provides support groups for HIV positive individuals as well as HIV prevention education
• Mazzoni Center
  • Provides health and wellness services in an LGBT-focused environment, including HIV and STI testing
  • Offers support groups as well as support for HIV positive individuals
• Project SAFE
  • Located in Philadelphia, Project SAFE seeks to meet the health needs of women involved in sex work by providing safer sex supplies and referral services for STI testing and substance abuse

On Campus

• Center for Women & Gender Equity
• First-Generation Students
• Dowdy Multicultural Center
• Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy
• Veterans Center

Visit our Caregiving at WCU webpage for an extensive list of resources.

On Campus

• Lactation Centers on Campus
• WCU Scholarships: These are scholarships available to students with a variety of backgrounds, majors, and interests. 
  • Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship for Mature Students
    • The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation was created in 1979 at the bequest of Mrs. Newcombe. Mrs. Newcombe greatly valued higher education during her lifetime. In her will, she established the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation to continue her scholarship gifts. Her legacy continues until today. The Foundation provides scholarship funds to select colleges and universities for mature/second career students to complete their education and prepare for careers. As a result of this generous funding, WCU is able to award 20-30 Newcombe Scholarships per year. 
      
    • Eligibility:
      • 25 years old or more by the time of award
        
      • Undergraduate degree candidate completing 60+ credits by by the time of award
        
      • Enroll in 9 or more credits per semester at West Chester University during the award academic year
        
      • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 31. International students must complete a paper version of the FAFSA, available in the Financial Aid Office.
        
    • Application Process: The online application for the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship Application is available in February; Applications are due in early April Award recipients are notified by late May Off Campus

Off Campus

• Area Agencies on Aging: “Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is the front door for aging services in your community. Your AAA is staffed with skilled workers who can provide information about services and also assist in obtaining access to those services. Pennsylvania has 52 Area Agencies on Aging that cover all 67 counties.” To find an agency in your PA county.
• Eldercare Locator: This resource is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging and it connects individuals to services for older adults and their families. The phone number to contact a representative about this resource is 1-800-677-1116.
• Caregiver Support Webinar Series: This series provides educational information and self-care strategies for caregivers.
• Caregiver Action Network: This organization provides support to caregivers.