Sexual Harassment Support Resources
Sexual harassment includes sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Support and resources are available to an individual no matter when or where the incident took place, even if the accused individual is not affiliated with Columbus State. Support and resources also are available even if an individual chooses not to make a Formal Complaint or pursue an investigation through the College or criminal charges through a law enforcement agency. Many of these resources also are available to individuals accused of sexual harassment.
Although the information is accurate as of the publishing date, resource offerings or availability may change. Please contact the resource directly to verify confidentiality and services. If you are unsure where to start or have questions about confidentiality, contact the College’s Title IX Coordinator Joan Cook via email at jcook60@cscc.edu or via phone at (614) 287-2636.
Printable Sexual Harassment Support Resources
The resources listed below are confidential; they may not share your information without your express consent, unless there is an imminent danger to you or others as required by law. Providers are granted the privilege of confidentiality under Ohio law due to the nature of their position.
Counseling Services (010 Nestor Hall, Columbus Campus)
Columbus State Counseling Services offers currently enrolled students short-term counseling, consultation, education and resources for students who are experiencing emotional and psychological concerns that are interfering with their ability to maintain in school and balance other responsibilities. Free, personal counseling services are available by appointment for enrolled students.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, email counselingservices@cscc.edu or call (614) 287-2818. *
Matrix Integrated Psychological Services, Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Matrix provides free, personal counseling services, legal and financial assistance, and wellness offerings for full-time and part-time employees.
Please note that Matrix is not available to Columbus State adjunct faculty members, temporary employees and/or work study students.
To speak with an EAP intake coordinator, call (614) 475-9500 or (800)-886-1171. *
The following Columbus State resources are not confidential but respect your privacy by sharing your information only on a “need to know” basis. If you have questions about how your information will be kept private, please contact the resource directly.
Columbus State Victim Advocates provide support and resource information to any student or employee who has been the victim of traumatic crime, regardless of when or where the crime occurred. This includes gender-based violence, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual or physical violence, stalking, harassment, human trafficking or any crime that impacts an individual's ability to work or attend school successfully.
Victim Advocates can assist with reporting information to the College and local law enforcement agencies, provide information and education and support resources on- and off-campus, address specific issues related to personal safety planning, accompany a student or employee to appointments, meetings and hearings with Equity and Compliance and/or Columbus State police and provide emotional support to survivors and co-survivors of traumatic crime.
To reach an advocate, email victimadvocacy@cscc.edu or call (614) 287-5979. *
Student Advocacy & Financial Stability
Team members in Student Advocacy & Financial Stability focus on developing a "culture of care" by educating the college community on ways to help students navigate barriers to success and access resources for support. Student Advocacy & Financial Stability serves as a resource to help students connect with essential needs support and to develop a plan of action to address issues and concerns.
Need help but not sure where to go? A Student Resource Educator can help point you in the right direction! Student Resource Educators are student employees in Student Advocacy & Financial Stability who provide resource recommendations in effort to help other students connect with campus and community resources to alleviate barriers and help students have a successful experience at Columbus State. Student Resource Educators can recommend campus and community resources to address barriers to student success in the following areas: housing insecurity; food insecurity; emergency assistance; technology support; transportation; mental and physical health; and parenting and familial care.
To contact a Student Resource Educator, email SRE@cscc.edu, call (614) 287-5192 or visit the Student Advocacy & Financial Stability website to use the live online chat tool (Monday – Friday, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00pm). *
We know students may experience situations that negatively impact their educational experience and may need support determining next steps to address their issues, concerns, and/or complaints. Navigating the college environment and understanding policies and procedures can be challenging. While we can’t guarantee a specific outcome, Student Issue Support serves as a resource to help students develop a plan of action to address their situation.
Student Issue Support serves a neutral and impartial office that objectively reviews issues from all sides; listens, answers questions and explains College processes and procedures; provides guidance and direction on next steps to address issues and concerns; identifies appropriate authority/department to address particular situations; provides information and College and community resources for support and; helps students understand their options and develop and appropriate plan of action.
For support regarding a student issues, call (614) 287-2856 or email issuesupport@cscc.edu.
The following resources and services are based in Ohio. Many of these resources are located within Central Ohio and/or Franklin County. Some are limited to residents of specific counties and others are available to all Ohio residents.
Healthcare, Mental Health, Crisis
Mount Carmel’s Crime and Trauma Assistance Program (CTAP)
CTAP offers evidence-based, trauma-specific services to children and adult victims, survivors and co-survivors of crime and trauma. Services are confidential and at no cost.
To learn more or schedule an intake assessment, call (614) 234-5900
Equitas Health offers comprehensive and coordinated healthcare for those at risk of or affected by HIV, for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community and for those seeking a welcoming healthcare home. Services include: behavioral health, dentistry, health and wellness programs, HIV supportive services, HIV testing and prevention, legal services, comprehensive medical care, and pharmacy.
Services available in Akron, Athens, Canton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Lima, Mansfield, Newark, Portsmouth, Toledo and Youngstown. Visit https://equitashealth.com/ for local medical center contact information. *
Mental Health America of Ohio (Central Ohio)
Mental Health America of Ohio supports the community by guiding people in need of mental health services to the appropriate providers as well as providing services that may not otherwise be accessible. Services include, but are not limited to: pro bono counseling, family advocacy, connection to mental health resources and mental health advocacy, support groups, online screenings, mental health first aid and peer recovery support services.
For more information, call (614) 221-1441. *
Netcare Access (Franklin County, Ohio)
Netcare provides confidential mental health and substance abuse crisis and assessment services, including crisis intervention, de-escalation, psychiatric nursing assessment, physician evaluation, referrals, and substance abuse and mental health assessments. Crisis center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Call (614) 276-2273 to schedule an appointment or visit http://www.netcareaccess.org/ to use the online chat feature. *
Legal Resources
Capital University Law School Legal Clinic
Capital University Law School Legal Clinic offers no-cost legal services to individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford legal representation. Capital University Law School students can assist with criminal defense, criminal prosecution, domestic relations, tenant rights and issues, wills and related documents, general civil matters, and family advocacy.
For more information, call (614) 236-6245 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).
The Legal Aid Society of Columbus
The Legal Aid Society of Columbus offers free services related to consumer law, family law, housing, public benefits, reentry, seniors, tax, veterans, education and naturalization. An individual must meet income and resource limits in order to qualify for services.
To speak with an intake specialist regarding legal issues in Franklin or Madison counties, call (614) 241-2001 (Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) or complete the intake process online at: https://onlineintake.oslsa.org/?blsid=82. *
To speak with an intake specialist regarding legal issues in Delaware, Marion, Morrow and Union counties, call (740) 383-2161 (Monday- Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.) or complete the intake process online at: https://onlineintake.oslsa.org/?blsid=82. *
Ohio Legal Help is an online resource that provides legal information, forms and referrals for family, housing, money and debt, health and public benefits, crime and traffic and court concerns.
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services provides legal help with consumer issues, school problems, domestic violence situations, family law problems, health benefits issues, housing issues, public benefits issues, taxes, utility issues, employment issues and more for individuals with low income and limited savings and assets.
Offices are located in Athens, Chillicothe, Newark, New Philadelphia, Portsmouth and Steubenville. For assistance call (833)-288-2936, request services online: https://www.seols.org/legal-services-request-information/, or visit https://www.seols.org/contact/ for local office information. *
Domestic Violence & Stalking
The Center for Family Safety and Healing (TCFSH)
TCFSH offers a wide range of programs and services to address all aspects of family violence, including child abuse and neglect, teen dating abuse, stalking, domestic violence and elder abuse. Services include: child and family counseling, prenatal and early intervention services, adult counseling, and advocacy services.
As part of the TCFSH, The Child Assessment Center (CAC) provides responsive and timely medical assessment and treatment. Using a multidisciplinary approach, children and adolescents are seen for comprehensive evaluations of alleged abuse and neglect. http://familysafetyandhealing.org/programs-and-services/child-assessment-center/
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with TCFSH, call (614) 772-8200. *
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with CAC, call (614) 722-3278. *
Domestic Violence/Stalking Unit, City Attorney’s Office (Franklin County)
This Unit of the City Attorney’s Office facilitates prosecution and provides education, support, counseling, crisis intervention and overall assistance to victims who have experienced domestic violence and/or stalking in Franklin County. Unit advocates provide support services to victims and can assist in obtaining anti-stalking Civil Protection Orders.
For more information, call (614) 645-6232.
The Lighthouse (Fairfield County)
The Lighthouse offers emergency shelter, counseling services for adults and children, trauma counseling for veterans, case managers, legal advocates to assist victims of domestic violence and their children who reside in Fairfield County. The Lighthouse is a Safe Zone for the LGBTQ community.
For assistance, call the 24-hour hotline at (740) 687-4423. *
Lutheran Social Services (LSS) CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence (Franklin County)
CHOICES provides temporary emergency shelter for victims and their children, domestic violence counseling, legal and community advocates, peer support groups and a 24-hour domestic violence crisis, information and referral hotline. Kennel services for cats, dogs and pocket pets are also available.
To speak with an advocate, call the 24-hour hotline at (614) 224-4663.
Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN)
ODVN provides a toll-free information and referral line to assist survivors of domestic violence obtain phone numbers for local shelters and state coalitions, request safety plans, borrow educational materials, and obtain information about ODVN sponsored workshops, conferences or training events.
For assistance, call (800) 934-9840 or (614) 781-9651. *
For more information, use the online search tool: https://www.odvn.org/find-help/
Turning Point (Crawford, Delaware, Marion, Morrow, Union and Wyandot counties)
Turning Point offers free and confidential services to victims of domestic violence and their families, including: shelter (in Delaware and Marion), individual education and support, group education and support, children’s programs, victims’ rights advocacy, and transitional housing.
Turning Point is a Safe Zone for members of the LGBTQ community. Language interpretation services are available for all languages. DWAVE and Sorenson Relay System available for deaf/hard of hearing clients.
Call the 24-hour crisis line at (740) 382-8988 (for local calls) or (800) 232-6505 (for callers outside of Marion county) or use the 24-hour texting service by texting “turningpoint,” “turning point” or “tphelp” to 20121. *
Sexual Assault
OhioHealth Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO)
SARNCO provides advocacy and emotional support services in conjunction with medical and social services at OhioHealth Emergency Departments and other local facilities in central Ohio. Programs and services include: 24-hour emergency room advocacy, 24-hour sexual assault Helpline, sexual violence prevention programming, aftercare advocacy, campus advocacy at The Ohio State University and recovery resources.
To talk with a trained volunteer or staff advocate, call the Helpline at (614) 267-7020.
The Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline offers free, confidential advocacy and support for survivors of sexual violence across Ohio, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Trained advocates provide confidential support, crisis response, and information about options and local resources available to survivors, co-survivors or their friends and family. No matter where a survivor is located, they have access to support and links to resources and options in their local community.
To speak with a trained advocate, call (844) 644-6435
The following resources are tailored to address the needs of individuals with respect to their culture, identity-group and/or community.
Asian American Community Services
Asian American Community Services provides a variety of services to empower the diverse Asian community in Central Ohio, including: youth and family support programs, health care and prevention services, community education, and interpreting and translation services for 30+ Asian languages. The Family Support Program (FSP) includes assistance due to domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse, hate crimes, or other forms of violence and/or unhealthy behavior.
For information about services, call (614) 220-4023. *
The Center for Disability Empowerment (Franklin and Delaware Counties, Ohio)
The Center for Disability Empowerment Provides individuals with disabilities free opportunities to learn new skills (how to write a letter, interview for a job or apply for benefits), find transportation services, healthy resources or personal care assistance, and defend their rights by working for broader change. Services are available to people with disabilities of any age who reside in Franklin or Delaware County.
For more information, call (614) 575-8055.
Deaf World Against Violence Everywhere (DWAVE)
DWAVE offers culturally affirmative advocacy and education in response to oppression and relationship and sexual violence within the hard of hearing and deaf community. Services include community, legal and social service advocacy for survivors of crime and trauma, mental health counseling and 24-hour hospital emergency room advocacy for sexual assault survivors in partnership with SARNCO. DWAVE advocates are available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
To reach an advocate via video phone, call (614) 678-5476.
You may also email info@DWAVEohio.org for more information about services.
Disability Rights Ohio advocates for the human, civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio who believe their rights have been violated because of a disability, such as being abused or neglected, discriminated against, denied services or unable to access public facilities. Translation services are available for non-English speakers.
To request an intake appointment, call (614) 466-7264 or (800) 282-9189, select option 2 and leave a voicemail message. *
Equitas Health Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO)
BRAVO provides comprehensive individual and community programs for survivor advocacy and support to LGBTQ+ survivors of hate and bias violence, discrimination, intimate partner violence, stalking and/or sexual assault. Free and confidential services include: crisis intervention, safety planning, legal advocacy, support groups and hospital advocacy.
For assistance call (866) 862-7286, email report@bravo-ohio.org, or chat online at http://bravo.equitashealth.org/ (Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday- Thursday, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
Muslim Family Services of Ohio
Muslim Family Services of Ohio offers comprehensive services and compassionate support in a confidential setting to empower families and individuals to be self-sufficient and overcome challenges. Services offer include: basic needs assistance, referrals, resources and advocacy, mediation and conflict resolution, English literacy and job skills training and more.
To learn more or schedule an intake interview, call (614) 470-2848 or email help@mfsohio.org.
The Ohio Hispanic Coalition provides health services, interpretation and translation assistance, and youth and educational programs. Two full-time Promotoras de Salud serve as victim advocates, educators and case workers for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, ensuring that victims have access to legal, medical and social services.
For more information or to request assistance, call (614) 840-9934.
Somali Community Association of Ohio
The Somali Community Association of Ohio provides a wide variety of services including: planning and support, youth programs, translation and interpretation, legal advocacy, elder programs, English Second Language (ESL) and job assistance. Trained multi-lingual immigrant staff assist with goal planning, advocacy, family counseling and support for those experiencing domestic violence.
For more information or assistance, call (614) 262-4068 or email info@somaliohio.org.
Us Together, Inc. (Central Ohio)
Us Together, Inc. offers employment services program, intensive case management, interpreter services, linguistic services, reception and placement, refugee support service programs, victim services programs and citizenship and immigration services to refugees and immigrants escaping wars, violence, tyranny and extreme poverty. Free services for victims of crime and violence (domestic violence, human trafficking, kidnapping, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, hate crimes, adult or child abuse/neglect, gang violence, and female genital mutilation) include trauma-informed care, medical case management and linkage to valuable resources.
For general services in Columbus, call (614) 437-9941. To access interpreting services in Columbus, call (614) 581-4357. *
The hotline resources below offer free, confidential support 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
International Crisis Text Line
The International Crisis Text Line provides free, confidential mental health support via text messaging. Trained volunteer crisis counselors serve anyone who is experiencing any type of crisis, including: anxiety, emotional abuse, isolation, depression, suicidal ideation, concerns about school and more.
To reach a Crisis Counselor, text “HOME” to 741741.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline’s highly-trained advocates are available to speak confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
For support and assistance, call (800) 799-7233, text “LOVEIS” to (866)-331-9474 or chat online with advocate at https://www.thehotline.org/.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with vetted services and supports to get help and stay safe. Correspondence is confidential and you may request assistance anonymously. Phone, text and live online chat are available in English, Spanish or in more than 200 additional languages through an on-call interpreter.
To speak with an advocate, call (888) 373-7888, text 233733 or chat online here: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/chat
National Sexual Abuse Hotline- Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN)
RAINN provides a free and confidential hotline, online chat and mobile app for sexual violence survivors and their loved ones.
To talk with a trained support specialist, call (800)-656-4673 or chat online at https://hotline.rainn.org/online
The RAINN Mobile App is available in the App Store and on Google Play.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Specific resources are available for youth, disaster survivors, indigenous peoples, veterans, loss survivors, members of the LGBTQ+ community, attempt survivors, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and Spanish speakers.
To speak with a trained crisis worker, call (800) 273-8255. To chat online with a counselor, visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline’s highly-trained advocates offer free, confidential support, information and advocacy to young people (ages 13-18) who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships. Information and support is also available to concerned friends, family members, teachers, counselors, service providers and members of law enforcement.
For support and advocacy, call (866) 331-9474, text “LOVEIS” to (866) 331-9474, or chat online at https://www.loveisrespect.org/
Additional legal protections may be available for immigrants and international students who are the victims of crime or human trafficking. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), annually sets aside a limited number of non-immigrant visas for individuals who meet eligibility criteria. More information is available at: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/victims-of-human-trafficking-and-other-crimes.
There also are special provisions for certain victims of domestic violence seeking visas. More information is available at https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/battered-spouse-children-and-parents.
* Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this resource is providing some or all services remotely. Please contact the resource directly for more information.