Campus Security Report

Alcohol and Drug Policy

Bias Crimes

Campus Security Advisory Committee

Crime Investigation Procedure

Crime Prevention Efforts

Crime Reporting Procedure

Crime Statistics

Safety in the City

Security Measures

Sensitivity Training

Sexual Assault Policy

Sexual Assault Prevention

Resources: Hospital Rape Crisis Centers,

Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx,

Staten Island and New Jersey

Resources: Other

Weapons Policy

The safety and well being of our students, staff, faculty, clinic clients and other guests is very important at the Swedish Institute. Our college, located in Chelsea in the heart of Manhattan, is in a 10-story commercial office building and occupies three consecutive floors and a sub-basement practice area. Though ours is not a typical “campus,” our concern for security and crime prevention matches that of any other college in New York City.

Crime is a national problem affecting rural, suburban, and city life. College campuses, unfortunately, are not exempt from this reality. When and where a crime will occur or who will be a crime victim is not a predictable statistic. However, being aware of risk factors, potential danger and surroundings can reduce the chances of being victimized.

The Swedish Institute wishes to provide students, faculty and visitors with information on safety, security procedures, policies and resources available and to ask that they cooperate in crime prevention. Further information can also be found in the Student Handbook for each program, in the student welcome packet handed out at orientation and in the student lounge.

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The sale or use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited at the Swedish Institute.

The Swedish Institute maintains that crimes committed based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation or sexual identity are not acceptable. Issues surrounding prejudicial behavior which may be the basis for such crimes are addressed in the Student Handbook for each program (see “Swedish Institute Policy on Inappropriate Touch and Speech” and “ Criteria for Professional Standards in the Classroom”). These issues are also covered extensively in classes throughout the programs.

As with crimes of other natures, the Swedish Institute will direct students to the proper authorities and will work with authorities during investigations. Any student who commits a crime of this nature will be expelled from the school.

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The Swedish Institute Campus Security Advisory Committee is comprised of six members, which includes two administrators chosen by the President to head the committee, two faculty members (one from the massage therapy faculty list of 42 members and one from the acupuncture faculty list of 38 members) and two student representatives chosen by the Student Advisory Councils (10 to 20 members in each council).

This committee shall meet once a year to formulate and review school safety and crime prevention regulations. The committee will report to the President in writing its findings on campus related crime (including sexual assault, bias related crime and violent felony offenses) and the prevention thereof. This information shall also be distributed to the student population.

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Crime Investigation Procedure

School crimes, emergencies and other unusual occurrences are recorded as “Incident Reports” which are prepared and reviewed by the Dean for Administration and Operations and other key members of the administration. Should it be deemed that a crime has taken place, the appropriate authorities will be called upon (Police, Fire Department, EMS) to work with the student(s) and school to complete a thorough investigation. These reports are available to law enforcement officials should their review become necessary during a crime investigation.

Should they become a crime victim, students should protect evidence necessary to the investigation of a crime. (See Sexual Assault Policy)

The occurrence of a serious crime will be reported to the school community via e-mail, this web site and bulletin board postings.

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Incoming students are informed about our crime prevention policies and procedures during a special orientation which takes place before they begin their program. This information is also provided in the Student Handbook given out during the first semester. Both the orientation presentation and the written materials describe the role played by the college, as well as the responsibility each member of the school community has for his/her own safety and the safety of others.

Crime prevention suggestions are detailed in Safety in the City and Sexual Assault Prevention.

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Crime Reporting Procedure

Members of the school community should immediately report a crime or any emergency to the front office, administrative office or to any faculty member. In an emergency situation, authorities will be called immediately in one of the following ways:

• Go immediately to the Reception Desk on the 5th floor, which is equipped with a “panic button” that can discreetly alert the neighborhood police precinct.

• The 6th and 7th floors of the school are equipped with special blue telephones designated for emergency use that are hanging on the wall. Anyone needing emergency assistance can dial 911 from these phones. Dial 9 9 911.

• The practice area in the sub-basement is also equipped with an emergency phone and anyone needing emergency assistance can dial 9 9 911.

• Call the closest police precinct directly at 212.741.8211.

Furthermore, all members of the school community are encouraged to report immediately any unusual occurrence or criminal activity within the school to one of the following people who can be dialed directly within the school (or after calling the school at 212.924.5900):

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The Swedish Institute Advisory Committee on Campus Safety will inform students of all campus crime statistics as reported to the U.S. Department of Education by posting them in the student lounge, as well as on the school web site. The U.S. Department of Education publishes all campus crime statistics on its own web site,

http://ope.ed.gov/security

Below are Swedish Institute's campus crime statistics for 2004-2005:

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Safety in the City

While New York is safer now than in past years, in a city with so many millions of people one has to develop street smarts as a matter of course. In order to protect yourself consider the following:

• Be alert when you are on the street; walk with confidence and purpose.

• Be aware of your surroundings; know who’s walking near you and what’s going on. Those on cell phones can be targets, because they are distracted.

• Trust your instincts. If a situation or person makes you uncomfortable, leave!

• Be wary of isolated spots such as apartment laundry rooms, underground garages, parking lots, offices after working hours. Walk with a friend, co-worker or security guard, especially at night.

• Do not open your door to strangers. Check the ID of sales or service people before letting them in. Phone for verification if you feel uneasy. If someone asks to make an emergency call, make the call yourself while they wait outside.

• Be careful if someone asks you for directions from a car. If you answer, keep your distance from the car.

• If you think you’re being followed, change directions and head for open stores, theaters, houses, etc. Ask someone to call the police for you.

• Carry a personal alarm or pepper spray. Use it if necessary!

• Park your car in well lit and traveled areas.

• Always lock your car when you get out, as well as when you get in.

• Look around your car and in the back seat before you get in.

• If your car breaks down, lift the hood, lock the doors and turn on your flashers. If someone stops, roll down the window slightly and ask them to call police.

• Don’t pick up hitchhikers and don’t hitchhike, ever!

• When on a subway platform, try to stay in the vicinity of a manned token booth.

• Avoid carrying large sums of cash.

• The best time to use ATMs is during the daytime. Be aware of who is around while you use one.

• Be aware of pickpocket situations, such as the subway, stores, crowded tourist areas.

• When you go out let someone know where you are going and when you will return.

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The Swedish Institute is located at 226 West 26th Street in Manhattan. Our college is contained within a commercial 10-story office building, occupying the 5th, 6th and 7th floors, plus a sub-basement practice area. There is no “campus” per se, in that there are no grounds, dormitories or multiple buildings. Nonetheless, safety and security are of the utmost importance and safety measures are taken seriously.

The Swedish Institute has video surveillance of all unsupervised areas of the school during hours of operation. Security cameras are strategically placed throughout the school so that all activity can be monitored by staff. The stairwells between the floors are not equipped with security cameras, however, these are not closed stairwells and there is a steady flow of pedestrian traffic through this area ensuring the safety of these zones.

There are emergency phones on all floors and in the practice area. Photo ID cards issued for all faculty, staff and students must be worn at all times on school premises.

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Sensitivity Training

Because the programs at the Swedish Institute all involve working with the body, issues of inappropriate touch, boundary violations and sexual assault are thoroughly discussed in the Student Handbook of respective programs. (Please see “The Swedish Institute Policy Regarding Inappropriate Touch and Speech” and the “Guidelines for Professional Standards in the Classroom".) These issues are also covered extensively in classes throughout the programs as part of professional development.

Massage therapy and acupuncture are licensed healthcare professions in New York State, regulated by the Education Department's Office of the Professions. From the start of their programs, students are made aware of the state guidelines for professional conduct, including issues of ethics and sexuality. There are, and should be, consequences whenever professional boundaries are crossed in a sexual direction. Disciplinary action can be taken by the New York State Office of the Professions against any therapist who is reported for such actions, and there may be criminal charges and consequences as well.

Should a sex-related offense occur at the college, the Swedish Institute administration will work with the student to report the crime to authorities and will direct the student to receive proper medical attention and to protect evidence (see Sexual Assault Policy).

Any student found to be guilty of any sexual offense will be immediately expelled from the school.

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Sexual Assault Policy

The Swedish Institute maintains that all forms of sexual assault are unacceptable. As defined by New York Penal Law, all sex offenses, including rape, sexual assault, forcible touching and facilitating a sex offense with a drug, are all crimes punishable by law.

New York State Penal Code, Article 130 and the New York State Sexual Assault Reform Act are the laws that govern the prosecution of sexual offenses in New York State. According to the law, a sexual offense is a sexual act occurring without consent from both individuals involved. “ Lack of consent” can be defined as (1) occurring as a result of physical force, coercion or by expressed or implied threat; (2) occurring when a victim is physically unable to indicate lack of consent because the victim is unconscious or because of a physical disability that makes one unable to physically or verbally indicate lack of consent; (3) the result of mental incapacitation in which the victim is temporarily incapable of understanding or controlling his or her conduct because of a drug or other intoxicating substance; or (4) when the victim is under 17 years old.

If you are sexually assaulted, you should take the following actions:

• Go to a safe place.

• Call the police or 911.

• Contact a trusted friend or family member.

• Do not bathe or douche. If possible, do not urinate.

• Do not eat, drink, smoke or brush your teeth if oral contact was made.

• Keep clothes worn during the offense. If you remove them, place them in a paper bag (evidence deteriorates in plastic).

• Get immediate medical attention.

• Do not destroy or move any physical evidence that may be in the vicinity of the crime.

• Tell someone and/or write down the details of the assault as soon as possible.

• Seek counseling services to help you overcome trauma from the event. Counseling referrals are available through the Office of Student Services at 212-924-5900 ext. 139.

Penalties for sexual assault depend upon the classification and severity of the assault. Generally, a prison term of 1 to 25 years may be served if one is found guilty of a sexual assault.

Should a sex-related offense occur at the college, the Swedish Institute administration will work with the student to report the crime to authorities and will direct the student to receive proper medical attention and to protect evidence (see above).

Any student found to be guilty of any sexual offense will be immediately expelled from the school.

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While the Swedish Institute has never had any occurrence of sexual assault on our school premises, we recognize that some of our students may require information about the nature of sexual assault and the prevention thereof. We encourage you to understand the nature of sexual assault and to avoid the myths and stereotypes about it.

• Rape is an act of violence. It is an attempt to control and degrade using sex as a weapon.

• Rape can happen to anyone; students, wives, children, mothers, grandmothers, boys and men, rich or poor.

• Rapists can be anyone; classmates, co-workers, neighbors, a delivery person, family members, friends, etc.

For definitions of sexual assault and what to do if you feel you have been sexually assaulted, see Sexual Assault Policy. Help protect yourself from sexual assault by considering guidelines for Safety in the City.

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Brooklyn

Bronx

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Resources: Other

Weapons of any variety are not allowed on school premises. No one shall have in their possession a rifle, shotgun, or firearm of any kind or any dangerous instrument or material that can inflict bodily harm on an individual or do damage to the college or building.

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