On Thursday, October 19, at 4:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Theater, four panelists discussed Stockton’s domestic violence policies and resources on campus. It’s vitally important that the Stockton community remains aware of the resources and rights they have access to.

Panelist Rosanne Latoracca informed the audience of the Clery Act, which mandates that universities must publish annual crime reports so that the public is aware of the types and frequency of crimes on campus. The 2023 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report was just published on October 1 and covers a timeframe from 2020 – 2022. This document doesn’t have personally identifying information; it only shows what crimes were committed and where.

For example, in the year 2022, there were 8 reported sexual assaults, 7 domestic violence reports, 2 instances of fondling, 1 report of motor vehicle theft, and 9 instances of stalking just on the Galloway Campus.

The next panelist was Tammy Saunders, Title IX Coordinator at Stockton. “Title IX is a Federal Civil Rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or gender,” said Saunders. This relates to domestic violence because her office oversees reports of domestic violence and decides how a further investigation is handled. 

Next to speak was Lisbeth Espinal of the Women’s Gender and Sexuality Center. She mentioned that the WGSC offers students a safe place to talk about any concerns they have, especially if it relates to serious issues such as domestic violence since it is not always an easy thing to have an open discussion about. The center will remain confidential and victims do not need to make reports until they are ready. The center can provide assistance in the reporting process if needed. There is also a 24-hour hotline available, 1-800-286-4184.

One of the questions from the audience was in regard to whether or not there is a statute of limitations when reporting a crime on campus. “Delayed reports still get added into the crime log in the year that it was reported,” said Latoracca.

“The University can always provide Supportive Measures under Title IX to complainants and respondents.  If a respondent has graduated from the university, our office will determine on a case by case whether the university has jurisdiction to proceed. A complainant has the option to report to law enforcement,” said Saunders. 

Sgt. Anthony Lacovara specifically mentioned, “Let’s just say it’s a disorderly person’s offense, which would be like harassment. Your statute of limitations would be one year from when it was reported. If it’s an indictment crime, that’s a little more severe, you have five years to report that.”

Links to campus resources are provided below:

Domestic Violence Resources

Campus Police

Women’s Gender and Sexaulity Center (F-103)

2023 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

Clery Act