Immediate Assistance

It can be hard to know what to do, how to feel, or what your options are after a sexual assault. If you have been sexually assaulted, we encourage you to consider the following:

1. Go to a safe place as soon as you can.
2. Try to preserve all physical evidence. Do not bathe, shower, douche, use the toilet, brush teeth or change your clothing.
3. Contact a close friend who can be with you until you feel safe again. Your friend can also accompany you to the medical exam.
4. Get medical attention as soon as possible to make sure that you are physically okay and to collect and preserve evidence through a sexual assault forensic exam.
5. Consider whether you would like to make a report to the police and/or to the University. Sexual assault is never your fault- it’s a crime. You are encouraged to report it. Find Information on reporting options. To talk through your options, reach out the Gender Equity Center and schedule an appointment using the online form.
6. Seeing a counselor is important to help you understand your feelings and begin the process of resolution and healing. Find information on confidential resources.

If you have experienced abuse within your relationship, we encourage you to consider the following:

1. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
2. Go to a safe place as soon as you can.
3. Get medical attention if needed.
4. If you need immediate shelter/housing, contact your local domestic violence shelter. University Park students should contact the Centre Safe.
5. Consider filing for a Protection from Abuse Order (PFA). Advocates at the Centre Safe can assist you through this process.
6. Consider whether you would like to make a report to the police and/or to the University. A no-contact directive issued by the University may be an option. To talk through your options, reach out the Gender Equity Center and schedule an appointment using the online form.
7. Contact the Gender Equity Center or another confidential resource for counseling, advocacy, and safety planning services.

If you have experienced stalking or harassment, we encourage you to consider the following:

1. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
2. Trust your instincts.
3. Take any threats made by the person stalking/harassing you seriously.
4. Keep evidence of the stalking/harassment. Keep emails, text messages, phone messages, letters, or notes. Keep a written log of the behavior that is alarming or harassing.
5. Consider whether you would like to make a report to the police and/or to the University. A no-contact directive issued by the University may be an option. To talk through your options, reach out the Gender Equity Center and schedule an appointment using the online form.
6. Contact the Gender Equity Center or another confidential resource for counseling, advocacy, and safety planning services.