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What to do?

Victim of Sexual Assault or Rape

 (**excerpts taken from www.rainn.org)

If you are sexual assaulted or raped you have options and resources to help you through the situation. Below is a list of resources and information about actions available to you after a sexual assault or rape. 

  • Safety - Find a safe location away from your attacker.
  • Injuries - If you suspect you are injured (broken bones, lacerations, concussion, etc.) please seek medical attention in an emergency room or doctor’s office.
  • Reporting (law enforcement) - If you would like to report the crime to the police consider the following:

Preserve all evidence of the attack. DNA evidence is an integral part of a law enforcement investigation that can build a strong case.

Write down all the details you can recall about the attack and the perpetrator.

After the Assault, Do Not:

  • Bathe, shower, or wash your hands or face.
  • Use the restroom.
  • Change clothes. (*if you have changed clothes, put your clothes in a paper bag)
  • Comb hair.
  • Clean up the crime scene,
  • Eat, drink, chew gum or mints, brush your teeth or smoke.
  • Move anything the offender may have touched.

Call 911 or your local police department

Shippensburg University Police Department
www.ship.edu/police
717-477-1444

The University Police enforce all regulations and laws -- both of the University and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. They also work cooperatively with the Shippensburg Borough Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police to record incidents that may occur off campus. 

*if you are unclear which law enforcement agency to call because the rape or sexual assault was committed off-campus, you can still contact the SUPD. They will assist you in finding the correct law enforcement agency to investigate the crime.

Sexual Assault Forensic Exam

A forensic medical exam, sometimes called a rape kit, is performed at a hospital or other healthcare facility by a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE). Medical and forensic exams are comprehensive because the victim deserves and needs special attention to ensure that they are medically safe and protected. During the interview and the exam the victim will have the choice to have an advocate present to help support she/he through the process and answer questions.

Chambersburg Hospital
SART Program - Sexual Assault Response Team
112 North Seventh Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201

Even if the victim has not yet decided to report the crime, receiving a forensic medical exam and keeping the evidence safe from damage will improve the chances that the police can access and test the stored evidence at a later date.

Preserving DNA evidence can be key to identifying the perpetrator in a sexual assault case, especially those in which the offender is a stranger, to show that a sexual assault occurred and to show that the defendant is the source of biological material left on the victim’s body.

  • Reporting (university) - Students have the rights to report sexual assault and rapes to Shippensburg University to be investigated and adjudicated through our Student Code of Conduct process. To report an incident to the university please click here. Faculty and staff, with the exception of employees in the Counseling Center and PAGE Center, are required to report incident of sexual misconduct, including, but not limited to rape, sexual assault, harassment, intimate partner violence etc. 

Seek Counseling, Support Services, and Other Information

Resources

Shippensburg University is committed to ensuring that individuals who experience sexual misconduct have access to a variety of services and resources.

Students, faculty and staff are all partners in creating an atmosphere that is conducive to learning. Together, we form a powerful team. 

If you or a student you know has been a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking, the University can help respond to your various needs as outlined in the Sexual Misconduct (Title IX) Policy and as follows:

Student Resources

Immediate Medical Attention

  • Survivors of sexual assault are strongly encouraged to go to the Student Wellness Center for treatment. After initial treatment, the Wellness Center will refer you to the local hospital for medical attention and evidence collection. 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
    Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish
    988 is now active across the United States. This new, shorter phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services.

Advocacy

  • PAGE Center

    232, CUB
    (717) 477-1291

Mental Health Services

  • Survivors of sexual assault will be referred to the University Counseling Center at (717) 477-1481, and/or a local rape crisis center for supportive mental health services.

Criminal Action

  • All University Police officers are trained to assist victims of sexual violence and maintain the crime scene/evidence. Complaints may be filed against the alleged parties by contacting University Police at (717) 477-1444.  If the violence occurred off campus, call 911 and the appropriate police agency will respond. When reporting, you may choose to be assisted by an advocate and/or family member. You will not be charged for less serious offenses (i.e. intoxication, either alcohol or drugs or both) if you choose to report.

Conduct/Disciplinary Action

  • Complaints may be filed against students alleged to have violated the Student Code of Conduct by contacting the Office of Student Conduct at 717-477-1164.  If a person(s) is found to be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, sanctions up to suspension or expulsion from the University may result.  Both the respondent and complainant are entitled to have an advocate, family member, friend, attorney and/or others present during a campus disciplinary proceeding for support and shall be informed of the outcome of any campus disciplinary proceedings brought forth regarding the reported sexual assault.  Questions pertaining to past sexual history will be limited. You will not be charged for less serious offenses (i.e. intoxication) if you choose to report.  Educational sanctions may be imposed by the University independent of Commonwealth criminal or civil codes. Complaints against employees should be directed to the Office of Human Resources.

Civial Rights Action/ Title IX

Additional Resources

On-Campus Confidential Resources

Confidential resources are individuals who DO NOT have to report incidents of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator or local law enforcement. To talk with someone to receive support and assistance in a confidential setting contact any of the confidential resources listed below:

Off-Campus Confidential Resources

Contact the Human Resources Office - Title IX Coordinator/Compliance Officer, University Open Records Officer Old Main 106A   1871 Old Main Dr,   Shippensburg, PA 17257 Phone: 717-477-1323 Fax: 717-477-6415