Office Hours

Dr. Rebecca Ward, Director

125 Horton Hall  

MWF: 10 am to 12 pm. 

225 Shippen Hall 

Tuesdays and Thursdays  1 to 2 pm. 

And by appointment  

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Contact Information

Women's & Gender Studies
Horton Hall 125
Shippensburg, PA 17257
717-477-1104
wst@ship.edu

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Resources

  • Health Center- Mclean Hall II building #52
  • Counseling Center- McLean Hall II, Ground Floor Weekdays 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 717-477-1481 
  • National Organization for Women- now.org, (202) 628-8669 (628-8NOW), 1100 H Street NW, 3rd floor Washington, D.C. 20005
  • National Women’s Studies Association- nwsa.org, (301) 403-0407, 7100 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 502, College Park MD 20740, nwsaoffice@anwa.org 
  • Feminist Majority Foundation- feminist.org, 703-522-2214, 1600 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 801, Arlington, VA 22209

Other Useful Information

  1. To learn more about some of the women who have made important contributions in the United States, visit the National Women's Hall of Fame at www.greatwomen.org.
  2. Rape Educators and Contacts (REACT). They offer alcohol/date rape education, male/female communication, empowerment, and so much more. They are located on Shippensburg University at Horton Hall 123. The
    phone number is 717-477-1790.
  3. National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-HOPE (4673). This is free and confidential. The hotline is open 24/7. This hotline provides useful tactics as well.
  4. University Police Number - 717-477-1911. It would be a good idea to program the police station number into your cell phone in case of an emergency.
  5. Women in Need Hotline -717-264-4444
  6. Sexual Assault Rape Crisis Services of C.C. -1-800-RCS-2877
  7. Planned Parenthood -717-264-4666

What to do if you are sexually assaulted?

  1. Know the assault is not your fault and you are not alone
  2. Seek medical attention to test for STD's and pregnancy. Ask the hospital to conduct a rape exam and tell them if you think you have been drugged.
  3. Report the assault to the police. A counselor can help you through the process.
  4. Preserve evidence of the attack. Do not bathe or wash your clothes. Put your clothes in a paper bag.
  5. Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support from your local rape crisis center.
  6. Find a safe place away from your attacker. Ask a trusted friend to stay with you.

How to reduce your risk of sexual assault

  1. Travel in packs. When you go out, go in a group. Check in with each other and leave together. Don't be isolated with someone you don't know or trust.
  2. Trust your instincts. If a situation feels unsafe or uncomfortable, it probably is.
  3. Don't feel obligated to do anything you don't want to. "I don't want to" is always a good enough reason.
  4. Watch your drink. Pay attention while your drink is being prepared, don't set it down, and don't take drinks from someone you don't know or trust.
  5. Keep your cell phone with you and only wear one earphone when listening to your iPod. Walk in well-lit, crowded areas. Stay alert and carry cab money or take a campus shuttle at night.

How to help a friend

  1. Believe your friend. Don't judge or question the victim's choices.
  2. Expect a range of emotions, including lack of emotion and shock.
  3. Be patient. Allow your friend to move through the recovery process at his/her own pace.
  4. Encourage him/her to call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, but realize that only your friend can make the decision to get help.
  5. Be a friend, not a bystander. Get involved if you see someone at risk. You might save a friend from becoming a victim of sexual assault.