Support And Resource Team

It is our sincere hope that no one within the CT State Northwestern campus community will become a victim of sexual assault or intimate partner violence. However, if it does occur, CT State Northwestern has created a Support and Resource Team – Northwestern SART – to meet victim needs. Northwestern SART is designed to meet the standards outlined in Connecticut Public Act 14-11 (May 8, 2014). The team is trained to provide victim-centered, empathetic service and referral for comprehensive care. The team works in partnership with the Susan B. Anthony Project to extend services 24-hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year.

Who To Contact for Help

On Campus – Northwestern SART

  • Ruth Gonzalez, Ph.D.                      860-738-6315                        Goulet House Room 105
  • Andrew Wetmore                            860-738-6344                        Green Woods Hall Room 110
  • Michael Emanuel                             860-738-6389                        Founders Hall Annex Room 308
  • Alyana Sholtis                                   860-738-6468                        Green Woods Hall Room 210
  • Tracy Smith-Michnowicz                  860-738-6305                         Founders Hall Annex Room 308
  • Daneen Huddart                              860-738-6318                         Green Woods Hall Room 303
  • Brian Plessinger                               860-738-6409                         Founders Hall Room 105
  • Jay Whitaker, Ph.D.                           860-738-6319                         Founders Hall Room 103

Off Campus, Evenings, Weekends, Holidays – 24 hours a day/7 days a week

  • Susan B. Anthony Project (Torrington), 860.482.7133
  • Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, 860.496.6666
  • CT Sexual Assault Crisis Services (toll-free), English Hotline: 888.999.5545 and Spanish Hotline: 888.568.8332
  • Winsted Police Department, 860.379.2721
  • Torrington Police Department, 860.489.2000
  • CT State Police Dispatch, 860.626.7900

How Northwestern SART works

This CT State Northwestern team includes faculty, staff and students who are trained to assist victims to access all available services. When a victim reports sexual assault or intimate partner violence, the Northwestern SART team explains all options, rights and services. The team responds based on the options and services requested by the victim. Some of these services are:

  • Nurse Examiners

Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) has certified SANE staff (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) who are trained to provide medical care, forensic evidence collection and preventive medications. All services for sexual assault ma be provided anonymously and are provided at CHH free of charge, according to Connecticut law.

  • Counselor Advocates

These are specially-trained individuals from the Susan B. Anthony Project that respond to the NCCC campus, the hospital and/or police station at the request of a victim. They can provide safety planning, emotional support, education, and referrals. They also assure that victims understand their rights regarding sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

  • Victim Options

Victims of sexual assault at NCCC have several options for care and services. Victims have the right to accept or decline any or all of the following:

  • Evaluation/treatment of injuries and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
  • Forensic examination for evidence collection.
  • File a police report.
  • File college disciplinary charges.
  • File a civil charge.
  • File a Title IX complaint. Report as a Jane/John Doe victim. This option allows the victim to have a forensic exam for evidence collection but not file charges or release identity to anyone except the forensic nurse. Evidence is stored for 90 – 120 days which allows for evidence preservation and for the victim to make a decision regarding the filing of a police report.
  • Seek services from community and state resources.

No action is taken by Northwestern Connecticut Community College or the Susan B. Anthony Project without a victim’s consent unless it is believed that the individual or the community at large may be in danger.

  • What To Do

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call Susan B. Anthony Project at 860.482.7133. Northwestern SART can help a victim only if a member of the team is notified. Contacting Northwestern SART does not mean someone has to be charged with a crime. It does mean that a victim will be offered appropriate care. Anyone can notify Northwestern SART by contacting Dr. Ruth Gonzalez at 860.738.6315. Please see additional resources below:

  • Jane Doe No More, Inc., 203.729.0245
  • Friends in Service to Humanity (FISH) Emergency Shelter, 860.482.7300
  • National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 877.739.3895
  • Northwest Connecticut YMCA (Winsted Branch), 860.379.0708
  • Winsted Health Care, 860.738.6600