Care, Support, and Options After an Assault
When you’ve experienced sexual assault, taking care of your health and well‑being is the first step. Whether you seek medical attention immediately or choose to wait, University Health Services and partner emergency departments are here to provide confidential, trauma‑informed care—no matter when the incident happened.
Choosing the Right Care for You
Care is voluntary and you have the right to chose what is best for you. Seeking care is about your well-being first and all survivors, regardless of gender identity or when the assault happened, are eligible for these services.
If the assault was less than 120 hours ago:
- Call UHS at 814-865-4847, Option 3, to speak with a nurse to talk over options
- Consider going directly to a local emergency department for a forensic exam
If it's been more than 120 hours:
- We still encourage you to seek care. You won't miss you chance for support and a non-evidence exam can address health concerns, even if evidence collection isn't possible.
- Reach out for support. You are not alone and there are resources and caring people on campus to help you navigate your experience.
Your Voice Matters, and We Hear You
The Relationship Violence Outreach, Intervention, and Community Education (R-VOICE) team is focused on supporting all students who have been impacted by relationship and interpersonal violence. Their confidential services are focused on helping you find the support and resources you need in a welcoming, caring, and non-judgmental space.
Understanding Exams
After a sexual assault there are two different types of exams that are available to you: an evidence collection, or forensic exam, and a non-evidence collection (non-forensic) exam.
- If you have questions about what is best for you, call the University Health Services Advice Nurse at 814-865-4827, Option 3.
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The evidence collection exam, available at the Emergency Department at Mount Nittany Medical Center or Penn Highlands State College, includes a thorough examination and any evidence of the assault found during the exam is collected (such as DNA from the perpetrator from the victim's body).
- This process includes a team approach involving a specially trained examiner, a police officer (from the jurisdiction where the assault occurred), and an advocate from Centre Safe.
- All evidence collection exams require notifying police of the assault.
- An evidence collection exam is only done with the victim's written consent.
- Concerns about sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy are also addressed at the time of this exam. When applicable, emergency contraception is usually offered at the time of the visit to substantially reduce the risk for pregnancy.
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The Non-Evidence Collection Exam is an option given to all victims of sexual assault. It involves an exam to look for any injuries or sexually transmitted infections. However, a non-evidence collection exam does not include the collection of evidence.
- Police are not usually notified of the circumstances of the assault when the victim elects a non-evidence collection exam unless there are inordinate injuries, the victim desires to report to police, a weapon is used during the assault, the assault was committed by a stranger, or the victim is under 18 years of age.