The Villanova University Department of Public Safety provides service to individuals reporting a sexual assault in a responsive, professional and caring manner. Services available through the Public Safety Department include: emergency response, documentation, investigation, support, and referral. The Public Safety Department, though not a sworn police agency, acts as the University’s first responders to reports of crime on campus and will respond to provide immediate assistance to sexual assault victims. The Department’s Investigations Unit conducts follow up investigations and is committed to conducting these investigations in a thorough, fair and objective manner, respecting the serious and sensitive nature of the incident for all those involved. Throughout the investigation, Departmental personnel will work to safeguard the confidentiality and legal rights of both the victim and the accused.
Whether or not a victim of sexual assault chooses to take official action against the accused, or even file an official report, the Department’s Sexual Assault Resource Coordinator will work directly with victims and others affected to ensure that the needs of victims are met and appropriate referrals are made. Through the Sexual Assault Resource Coordinator, victims of sexual assault will receive information regarding options for medical, housing, psychological, academic, and safety matters. Upon request of the victim, the Sexual Assault Resource Coordinator will assist the victim in seeking services and resources offered through other University Departments, as well as off campus service providers and criminal justice agencies. All decisions made by the victim will be supported. The Sexual Assault Resource Coordinator will support the efforts of other University departments to provide service to victims regardless of whether or not the victim chooses to speak directly with the Sexual Assault Resource Coordinator or file a report with Public Safety. The Sexual Assault Resource Coordinator is Elisa Lopez, who can be reached by calling the Public Safety Office at (610) 519-6670, or by email at elisa.lopez@villanova.edu
