PHILLIPS EXETER PEA, Exeter police agree on plan for reporting sex assault

EXETER - Phillips Exeter Academy and the Exeter Police Department have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining the protocol for reporting sexual assault and related training and counseling policies.

The agreement details "the reporting obligations of adults who have reason to suspect that a child has been neglected or physically, sexually or emotionally abused."

In a statement released Tuesday, the academy and police department announced their "enhanced partnership," which also includes Rockingham County Attorney Patricia Conway and the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

The document "outlines the duty of all adults, and underscores Phillips Exeter's commitment to immediately report any act of sexual assault, regardless of the possible legal classification of the act or the time the act occurred."

Key points of the partnership include required immediate reporting of a possible assault to the state Division of Child, Youth and Families or the Exeter Police Department, annual training for academy faculty and staff with the NHCADSV, and an agreement with Haven to provide counseling and support services to victims. Haven, located in Portsmouth and Rochester, is a nonprofit organization seeking to prevent sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking, as well as assist those recovering from abuse.

"Phillips Exeter Academy will promote awareness of this agreement and will provide permission and transportation to any student requesting Haven services," the statement said.

The memorandum also states the academy will promote Sexual Assault Awareness Month each April.

Phillips Exeter is beginning the final year of a three-year consulting agreement with the Prevention Innovation Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, which develops best practices for preventing sexual abuse. The statement said the memorandum draws from the academy's work with the UNH center.

The memorandum is signed by Phillips Exeter Academy Principal Lisa MacFarlane and Exeter Police Chief Bill Shupe.