Whittier College encourages prompt reporting of sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, or domestic/dating violence to the College or local law enforcement.
The College recognizes that individuals may not be ready to report or may not be sure what has happened. This resource section is designed to provide information and support resources, including confidential resources who will not share information without the person’s permission.
On-Campus Confidential Resources
Student Counseling Center
Rebecca Romberger, PsyD, Director
Haverhill A (next to Campus Safety Office); 562.907.4239; rromberger@whittier.edu
24-hour On-Call Counselor 562.907.4211
Whittier College Student Health and Wellness Center
562.464.4548
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Please contact Human Resources to get information about the confidential Employee Assistance Program at 562.907.4208.
Off-Campus Confidential Resources
Project Sister
Provides a 24-hour hotline, accompaniment program, information and referral services, professional counseling series, support groups, and a walk-in clinic.
P.O. Box 1369
Pomona, CA 91769-1369
24 Hour Hotline: 909.626.4357
info@projectsister.org
East Los Angeles Women’s Center
Provides free, confidential, bilingual (Spanish) crisis response and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking.
1255 South Atlantic Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90022
800.585.6231
Peace Over Violence
Provides comprehensive, free treatment for sexual assault survivors, including 24-hour emergency medical care and forensic services, counseling and psychotherapy, advocacy, and accompaniment services.
West San Gabriel Valley Center
892 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Suite D
Pasadena, CA 91103-3046
310.392.8381
213.626.3393
626.793.3385
info@peaceoverviolence.org
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)
A confidential, anonymous national sexual assault hotline.
1.800.656.4673
Rape Treatment Center at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center
Provides comprehensive, free treatment for sexual assault victims, including 24-hour emergency medical care and forensic services, counseling, psychotherapy, advocacy, and accompaniment services.
1250 16th Street
Santa Monica, CA
310.319.4000, Ext. 3
Los Angeles LGBT Center
Provides support and advocacy services for LGBT community members.
1625 N. Schrader Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323.993.7400
Student Support Person Program (SPP)
The College's Student Support Person Program is intended to provide students who are Complainants, as well as Responding Parties with a trained staff or faculty member to assist them with accommodations, resources, support, advising, and accompaniment while navigating the College's Sexual Misconduct process. Any student who has a concern regarding Sexual Misconduct may contact a support person.
While serving as a part of the Support Person Program, support people are designated as Private Reporters. They are not required to report any identifying information to the College, but are required to report 1) the approximate date of the incident, 2) the approximate location of the incident, and 3) the type of crime committed for Clery. Privacy for students utilizing the Support Person Program is of the utmost importance, and support people are not to release any other information relayed to them without written permission of the student who reported the alleged misconduct to the support person.
Support people are not Sexual Assault Counselors as defined in California Evidence Code § 1035. They do not hold legal privilege. If a student chooses to make a Title IX report to Whittier College, Title IX Investigators will not ask any information of support people. If, however, information is requested of support people by outside sources, including police or prosecutors, support persons may have to disclose information provided to them by the student. A support person will use his or her best efforts to notify the student of any requests before disclosing any identifying information. If a student wishes to have a support person disclose any information shared with them, the support person will get their written consent detailing what and with whom the information will be shared prior to sharing it.
To contact a member of the Support Person Program, you may either contact a member directly using the information below or contact the Dean of Students Office at 562.907.4233.
Members of the Support Person Program
Jessica Aparicio
Campus Safety
562.907.4211
japarici@whittier.edu
Jennifer Guerra
Director, Office of Equity and Inclusion
562.907.4962
jguerra1@whittier.edu
Paul Kjelberg
Professor, Department of Philosophy
562.907.4200, ext.4404
pkjellberg@whittier.edu
George McKernan
Director of Conference Services
562.907.4226
gmckernan@whittier.edu
Marysol Mendoza
Student Affairs Resource Case Manager
562.907.5118
mmendoz2@whittier.edu
Sylvia Queener
Head Coach Women’s Lacrosse
squeener@whittier.edu
When not Acting as a Title IX Investigator
Sara Espinoza
Assistant Dean of Students/ Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities
562.907.4233
sespinoz@whittier.edu
Joseph Melendez
Associate Director Residential Life & Programs
jmelendez@whittier.edu
562.907.4978
Medical Resources
Taxi vouchers are available from the Health and Wellness Center and Campus Safety to provide free transportation to local medical resources. A member of the Support Person Program is also available to accompany a survivor to off- campus resources, as are victim advocates from Project Sister. Below are medical facilities with trained SART nurses:
Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital
12401 Washington Blvd.
Whittier, CA
Call Project Sister 24 hours a day and they will coordinate this service: 909.626.4357.
For the hospital emergency room, call 562.698.0811.
San Gabriel Valley Medical Center
435 W. Las Tunas Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
Call the SART Hotline 24 hours a day and they will coordinate this service: 877.209.3049
LA County/USC Medical Center
1200 N. State Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
323.226.3961
Rape Treatment Center at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center
1250 16th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310.319.4000, Ext. 3
In addition to having SART nurses, this facility provides comprehensive, free treatment for sexual assault victims, including 24-hour emergency medical care and forensic services, counseling and psychotherapy, advocacy, and accompaniment services.
Under California law, medical providers (but not psychological counselors) are required to notify law enforcement if a patient communicates a sexual assault has occurred. The patient has the right to request that a survivor advocate be present when speaking to law enforcement and to request that criminal charges not be pursued. Any additional information is covered under HIPPA.
Assistance for Complainants and Responding Parties
Various on-campus adjustments can be made for those who have experienced alleged Sexual Misconduct including room changes, changes of locks, extra security rounds, no contact orders, and academic relief. These can be arranged through the Dean of Students Office 562.907.4233 during business hours or immediately through the administrator on call (contact through Campus Safety at 562.907.4911).
Additionally, the Support Person Program or staff in the Dean of Students Office can assist such students with extensions, absences, and other academic accommodations, providing only generic information (no mention of Title IX or Sexual Misconduct) to professors for the accommodation.
Students who are concerned about financial consequences as a result of experiencing or being accused of Sexual Misconduct may contact the Dean of Students Office or Support Person Program for assistance:
Office of Financial Aid
Weingart Hall, 2nd Floor
562.907.4285
Persons involved in the Sexual Misconduct process may wish to consult with a legal advisor. Below are entities that provide low cost or fee services. This is not an endorsement of their services and the College is not responsible or liable for poor or negligent legal advice.
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
For more than 85 years, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) has provided civil legal services to poor and low-income people in Los Angeles County. LAFLA has five offices in the Los Angeles area, including three Domestic Violence Clinics located at the Superior Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Courthouse and the Long Beach Courthouse.
800.399.4529
Website
SurvJustice
Legal assistance for survivors in campus, criminal and civil legal systems. SurvJustice provides direct assistance for campus cases and partners with local, regional and national law firms to assist in civil and criminal cases.
1629 K Street NW, Suite 300
Washington D.C. 20006-1631
Website
This policy was updated on February 5, 2020
