Rape reports down at Stonehill in 2024

By: Paige Martin 

Reported rape incidents at Stonehill College dropped by more than fifty percent from five in 2023 to two in 2024, according to the most recent figures released by the college. 

Reports of fondling or inappropriate touching remained consistent, with four reports in both years, according to the numbers in the college Clery report. 

The Clery Report is a federally required annual report that discloses campus crime statistics and safety policies to keep students and staff informed.  

Alana Clark, Assistant General Counsel and Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator, works closely with school officials to ensure compliance with federal and state laws. 

Clark said the Clery Act is a federal law that requires colleges to notify the community about certain crimes that may pose an ongoing threat. 

 Stonehill Police Chief Rochelle Ryan said sexual assault cases represent a small percentage of those reported to campus police.  

For example, Ryan noted from August 18 through September 30, Campus Police responded to 108 service calls, compared to 115 during the same time last year. 

“Many of our calls are routine. Fire alarms, disturbances, ambulance requests, or reports of unusual odors. Occasionally, there’s a suspicious activity call, but the vast majority are standard service calls,” Ryan said. 

“Only a small percentage involve sexual assault or misconduct,” she said.  

Clark described her role and responsibilities in the General Counsel’s Office.  

“Within the General Counsel’s Office, my focus is on civil rights compliance,” Clark said. “That includes making sure we follow state and federal laws that protect against discrimination for people with disabilities, based on race, national origin, as well as gender and sex under Title IX,” Clark said.  

“One of those notifications is called a timely warning. The Chief of Police reviews each case step by step to decide if a timely warning is appropriate or required under the Clery Act,” Clark said.  

She added that the timing of a report plays a key role. 

“The Act has been interpreted to mean about seven days, so we typically wouldn’t send out an alert if a report is more than a week old, because it would no longer be considered timely,” Clark said.  

Clark clarified that an increase in timely warnings does not necessarily mean there are more incidents than in previous years. 

“There’s usually more reporting in the first couple months of the school year, so it’s important to understand why these reports are sent out,” she said. 

Clark pointed to the “Red Zone,” the first six to eight weeks of the fall semester, when colleges nationwide see a higher number of incidents. 

“There’s definitely debate about why that is. I think students are adjusting to new social circles and to being totally independent away from home for the first time,” she said. 

Clark said alcohol can sometimes be a factor during this period but emphasized that it is never an excuse for misconduct. 

“Alcohol is never an excuse for misconduct, and it does not remove a person’s responsibility to obtain consent,” she said. 

Chief Ryan added that, based on sexual assault calls, alcohol does not typically play a major role at Stonehill. However, each case is handled individually, depending on factors such as the time and day of the week. 

Clark explained that students have several options when reporting incidents, including filing a formal complaint that leads to a hearing or choosing an informal resolution process. 

“We call it informal resolution, but it kind of looks a lot like mediation. That’s why there aren’t a lot of hearings here, most people who decide to file a complaint want to handle it through the informal process,” Clark said. 

While some students have been expelled or suspended through the Title IX process in past years, Clark said there have been no such cases since she joined Stonehill in February 2023. 

“In the informal process, it’s possible that the respondent would agree to leave the college as part of an agreement with the complainant. That wouldn’t be something the college requires, but rather an agreement worked out between the parties,” she said.   

Chief Ryan offered safety advice for students when going out with friends. 

“Look out for each other. If you see something, hear something, say something. Communicate about boundaries and expectations, encourage others to do the same, and respect the personal boundaries set by others,” Ryan said. 

Clark added that reporting always remains the survivor’s choice. 

“Reporting is your choice, and how to handle that report is your choice. There are very rare exceptions when the college would file a formal complaint on your behalf, but for the most part, reporting is really up to the survivor,” she said. 

Ryan echoed that message. 

“We take every report seriously, and students need to know that their voice matters. Every voice matters,” she said.

Ryan also addressed some reasons students may hesitate to report incidents. 

“I think one main barrier may be embarrassment or guilt,” she said. “It could be a number of factors. But they should know that seeking help is a sign of strength, and reporting is a sign of courage.”  

Clark said Stonehill offers two confidential resources for students seeking private support, Professor Jennifer Swanson and Associate Athletic Director Angelo Bruno. 

“These are people any student can talk to completely confidentially. They don’t have a requirement to report to any college official unless there’s a risk of harm to self or others,” Clark said. 

Chief Ryan noted that while Campus Police are not a confidential resource, they still prioritize privacy and support. 

“We provide a safe, private area in the station to ensure that students are comfortable sharing their experience, and we strive to protect their privacy as much as possible,” she said. “However, we are not confidential. Sometimes we need to refer students to counseling services or campus ministry to get them the right support,” she said.  

Students seeking support can contact the Title IX Office, Campus Police, Counseling Services, or confidential resources.