Get Help

Anyone that is the victim of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, or stalking is not to blame.
 These violent acts are power and control tactics used to control the victim.
 Remember, you have the right to live without fear and violence.

Safety Measures

if you have been sexually assaulted

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Get to a safe place, away from your attacker.

Contact a trusted friend, family member, or crisis line for support.

Notify your campus law enforcement or call 911 immediately.

Medical Attention

Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Preserve all physical evidence by taking the following precautions:

• Place clothing in a paper bag only, never plastic
• Do not shower, bathe, douche, or take any medications
• Do not eat, drink or brush your teeth
• Do not clean or disturb anything in the area where the assault took place

Medical treatment following a sexual assault can result in the victim:

• Receiving treatment for injuries such as scratches, bruises, or internal injuries
• Receiving treatment to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Receiving information about the possibility of pregnancy resulting from a sexual assault
• Documenting and preserving physical evidence of the assault, if a report is decided to be filed in the future

If you suspect that you may have been given a "rape drug" ask the hospital or clinic where receiving medical care to take a urine sample. Drugs such as Rohypnol, or GHB, are more likely to be detected in urine than in blood.

Counseling

Regardless of when the assault took place, seek counseling. Counseling can help you learn how to cope with the emotional and physical impact of the assault. You may contact your on-campus counselor, local rape crisis center or other victim service assistance agencies in the area. These services are usually confidential.

Find out the window of opportunity for obtaining a forensic medical exam (rape kit) for your state. 
Inquire if your local hospital, campus health services, or medical clinic provides the exam or has a SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) available. This information may be obtained from the on-campus or community victim services agency.

Safety Measures

if you have been abused

• If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
• Tell your friends, roommates, co-workers, campus officials, and/or family members about the abuse. Getting help can be easier with support.
• Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs - avoid rooms with no exits (bathroom), or rooms with weapons (kitchen).
• Establish a "code word" or "sign" so that family, friends, teachers or co-workers know when to call for help.
• Save and document all contacts, messages, injuries or other incidents involving the abuse. Ask friends to help you by keeping record of what they see or hear.
• Contact your local shelter or victim service agency for battered women. Ask about the types of services that are available for women and children.
• Inquire about the provisions or services that your campus may offer.

If you are leaving the relationship or are thinking of leaving, you should take important papers and documents with you to enable you to apply for benefits or take legal action. Important papers you should take include:

• social security cards and birth certificates for you and your children
• your marriage license
• leases or deeds in your name or both yours and your partner's names
• your checkbook
• your charge cards, bank statements and charge account statements
• insurance policies
• proof of income for you and your spouse (pay stubs or W-2s)
• any documentation of past incidents of abuse (photos, police reports, medical records, etc.)

For more information:

www.ncadv.org

www.ndvh.org

Safety Measures

if you are being stalked

• Call 911, if you are in immediate danger.
• Trust your instincts. Don't downplay the danger. If you feel unsafe, you probably are.
• Take threats seriously. Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous. Danger is generally higher when the stalker talks about suicide or murder, or when a victim tries to leave or end the relationship.
• Don't communicate with the stalker or respond to attempts to contact you.
• Contact the police or campus law enforcement. Every state has stalking laws and campuses have zero-tolerance for a student's safety being violated. The stalker may also have broken other laws or policies such as assault, theft, or destruction of property.
• Contact a crisis hotline, victim services agency, or on-campus victim service office. They can help you devise a safety plan, give you information about local laws, refer you to other services, and weigh options such as seeking a protection order.
• Develop a safety plan, including things like changing your routine or having a trusted friend or relative with you. Also decide in advance what to do if the stalker shows up at home, work, or school.
• Keep evidence of that stalking. Keep e-mails, text and phone messages, photograph any damaged property or injuries. Write down the time, dates, and places of when the stalker followed or contacted you.
• Tell your friends, roommates, co-workers, campus officials, and family members about the stalking to put them on alert.

Remember that early intervention is critical.

For more information:

www.stalkingawarenessmonth.org

www.ncvc.org/src

Free, Confidential 24/7 Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline 
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

National Sexual Assault Hotline 
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Find out about the services that are available on your campus!