College of Charleston | Crisis Assistance Response and Education C.A.R.E.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you mean by confidential reporting?
Department of Justice statistics indicate that a mere 34% of college students who are victims of violent crime report the crime to law enforcement. Why? When asked, victims list a host of issues – embarrassment, loss of privacy, fear of reprisal, fear of being ostracized by their peers, fear of being removed from college by parents, possible media attention – the list is long. The 2005 Research for Practice Report sponsored by the National Institute of Justice, notes that confidential reporting is considered a best practice. Confidential reporting allows the victim to decide whether to file an official report and still get the information and intervention a victim needs, as well as allowing the crime to be counted, if appropriate, in the crime report mandated by federal law. Students working with C.A.R.E. are given confidentiality utilizing Information Release Forms. These forms allow C.A.R.E. to disclose as much or as little (or no information) to anyone – parents, professors, administrators - as dictated by the victim. While we strongly encourage victims to disclose such information to parents and are glad many do so, we neither mandate that they disclose nor call parents. Within the victim services arena, giving control to a victim who is of legal age -- control that was taken away by the offender -- is an essential element to a recovery process. Eliminating the "chilling effect" that prevents students from getting the information and assistance they need is why we have a C.A.R.E. Program. Our mission is to safeguard the rights of victims so that their voices may be heard, their choices valued and their recovery process may become a constructive reclamation of life.

Why would I call C.A.R.E.?
Here is what we know from serving students for over 17 years. Whether one is the direct victim of a crime, the roommate, the best friend, or the boyfriend called immediately after a victimization, or the witness to a crime, there is fallout that needs to be addressed, questions to be answered, decisions to be made, and short- and long-term ongoing needs to be met -- all related to the initial victimization. So, whether you’re looking at missed classes or classwork; emergency needs; anticipated disruption that may occur due to involvement in the court process, or you need resources to deal with the fallout, C.A.R.E. advocates are specifically trained to help.

Is C.A.R.E. a counseling program?
No. C.A.R.E. specialists are not part of our Counseling and Substance Abuse Services staff. While counseling is a valuable component in the recovery process for a victim, C.A.R.E.’s focus is to look at the overall picture of the victim’s needs, providing or obtaining information, serving as the liaison so that the student can retain privacy in all campus-related interventions (such as with professors for missed classes), and meeting the distinct needs relating to the crime itself or its impact.

Will C.A.R.E. help me if I don't want to report to law enforcement?
Absolutely! We realize that not all victims choose to report. In fact, college students are less likely than non-students to report violence committed against them. Only 34% of all serious victimizations are reported (Department of Justice). That leaves 66% who did not file an official police report. We respect that choice. As advocates, our role is to insure that you have information that can help you make choices based on your needs, provide intervention that is discreet and does not identify information you wish to keep private, and offer resources that specifically address your immediate and long-term needs.

What if I am a victim of a crime that occurs off campus, out-of-state, or during spring break? Can I still get help from C.A.R.E.?
According to Department of Justice reports on college students and crime, most crimes committed against college students occur off campus and that holds true even for those who live on campus. If you become a victim of a crime, no matter where the crime occurs on or off campus, C.A.R.E. services are available free of charge to all currently enrolled students. C.A.R.E. has an established network on the local, state and national levels.

I’ve heard that C.A.R.E. only deals with sexual assault. Is that true? Crimes against college students include robbery, physical assault, identity theft, kidnapping, carjacking, burglary, relationship violence, domestic violence -- the list is as varied as the types of students who become victims and C.A.R.E. works with them all. The program was started at C of C because we know that the college-age population, both males and females, are vulnerable to any type of crime.

How can I reach a C.A.R.E. specialist?
For non-emergency assistance call the C.A.R.E. office at 953-3390. Walk-ins are welcome from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Emergency team response (for an incident that has just occurred) is available by calling 724-3600 (pager).

The C.A.R.E. Office is located at 67 George Street on the second floor (Rooms 202 and 203).

C.A.R.E. assistance is not intended to replace emergency medical or law enforcement assistance. Life-threatening circumstances should be reported immediately by contacting 911 or appropriate emergency response agencies. On campus dial 3-5611, Campus Police.

What our students are saying about C.A.R.E. services:

"Explanation of rights/options was beneficial. Once professors saw C.A.R.E. was involved, they didn’t ask me questions and understood that was why I missed class sometimes. I didn’t want to talk to anyone about this other than C.A.R.E."

"Talking with C.A.R.E. helped me feel comfortable enough to speak with my parents. I wasn’t going to tell them. I really needed to do that. Also, C.A.R.E. helped me deal with faculty without having to release details or invade my privacy."

"C.A.R.E. provided a link to community resources and worked in partnership with those resources to make sure my daughter got the assistance and attention she needed. You were there to answer our questions and always accessible. As parents of a senior, your work was invaluable in making sure she could graduate on time."

"Everyone needs to be aware of this program."

"Great program. Don’t change a thing."

"Thanks. I appreciate everything you’ve done. I’m thinking of pursuing a career in victim services after I graduate."

Download a PDF version of these FAQs at http://www.cofc.edu/~care/pdfs/care_brochure06_07.pdf

C.A.R.E. - it makes a difference!