On October 17, 2006, Peter Baigent, the Vice President of Student Affairs sent an e-mail to the entire university informing students, staff, and faculty of the recent sexual assault of two female students.

According to Douglas Little, Assistant Chief of the Stony Brook Police Department, the two men allegedly involved with the assault are known to the police. Little commented, ‘Both the Suffolk County police and Stony Brook Police departments are working on the case together.’

When asked about the safety of the campus community with respect to this recent incident, Little mentioned, ‘There is no threat to the campus community.’ However, upon further questioning, Little did continue on to say that the campus community should remain vigilant when considering these types of crimes.

Little reported, ‘Sexual assault is a very underreported crime.’ He continued, ‘The [two] women were very courageous, and the university has given them 100% support.’ Little was unable to provide any information about the location of the attack on campus because of possible violations of the privacy of the two female students.

Aside from this recent incident, students also have the ability to become involved with the pro-active measures set in place by the university to minimize the occurrence of such attacks.

Dr. Jenny Hwang, Director of the Wo/Men’s Center, gave a brief description of the services she and her colleagues offer. The Wo/Men’s Center provides confidential crisis counseling for survivors of sexual assaults. Students who seek the services of the Wo/Men’s center can walk-in for counseling on Mondays and Wednesdays 5-8 PM and on Fridays from 12-3PM.

According to Hwang, ‘All the services of the Wo/Men’s center were made known to the two girls [who were assaulted].’