With sexual assaults being taken more seriously across the country, Cabrini has taken steps in order to keep students and staff safe.
Cabrini took the initiative to hire an investigator and educa-tion officer to ensure the school make better, more informed de-cisions when it comes to preventing and dealing with sexual misconduct. This position is filled by Mary Anders. She has 26 years of experience dealing with sexual abuse ranging from children to adults. She worked as a detective for Montgomery County.
“The hiring of Mary in May of this year brings Cabrini College in line with best practices among colleges and universities nationwide,” Creig Doyle, director of public safety, said via email. There is no word as of now if other schools of our size will follow our lead and introduce an investigator. “Should other institutions decide to follow our lead, hopefully that will further enhance Cabrini’s already positive image and reputation within Higher Education,” Doyle said.
“It’s a good thing [this position was created] because sex crimes are being taken more seriously,” Anders said. “It shows we’re pro- actively trying to stop assaults.”
Anders is not the only one who sees this position as bettering the college.
“Campus itself is pretty safe,” sophomore criminology/sociology major, Morgan Comolli, said. Comolli believes that before coming to Cabrini she was taught a fair amount of all things sexual abuse related. She now sees the importance of this teaching. Comolli said, “College makes assaults real; it puts into play what you’re taught. Knowing someone is there to be there for you is a reassuring feeling.”
As part of the preventive aspect of Anders’ role, she held a lecture for incoming freshmen during orientation called ‘Behind Closed Doors.’ She also gave a lecture to all fall sports teams on what sexual abuse is, as well as bystander intervention.
As of now, there are no plans to hold a campus-wide lecture. Anders did, however, say that she would love to speak to anyone, even if it is just the dorm hall, about bystander intervention or anything about sexual abuse.
Comolli did express a concern whether this position was created due to the amount of assaults, or if was more a precautionary measure. For those who are concerned, Anders is responsible for filing each year all Clery Act crimes.
“Statistics regarding Clery Act crimes that occurred on campus during calendar years 2011-2013 can be found on page 36 of the Cabrini College 2014 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report,” Doyle said. “The statistics for calendar year 2014 will be made available to the Cabrini community on Oct. 1, 2015.”
A daily crime log is also available to students, faculty and staff in the public safety office.
Anders wants students to know, “If you are a victim, tell somebody. Unless you address it, you’ll always have problems.”
