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University of Wyoming

Sexual Assault


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ACTIONS TO TAKE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE RAPED OR SEXUALLY ASSAULTED
Your immediate reaction to rape or sexual assault may be fear, guilt, or humiliation. You may feel out of control, or you may feel completely numb. Regardless of how you feel at the moment it is important to follow these steps:

  1. Get to a safe place.
  2. Call someone you trust to be with you. If a friend or family member is not available, contact your RA, or apartment manager.
  3. Please seek medical attention either at Student Health Services or Ivinson Memorial Hospital. If you have been sexually assaulted, you may have contracted an STD, become pregnant or have injuries you are not aware of. It is very important that you get checked out by a doctor.
  4. You may wish to consult with the STOP Violence Program (766-2187) and the SAFE Project (745-3556) for support and in order to decide what to do next.
  5. You may decide to report the crime to the UW or Laramie Police, as well as the Dean of Students Office. 
  6. If you think you might want to contact the police, it is important to preserve all evidence. Do not bathe, douche, wash, or change clothing or linens. Do not touch any object handled by your assailant.

If more than 10 days have passed:

Sometimes survivors of sexual assault do not seek help for days, weeks or even much longer. Whenever you decide to seek assistance is up to you, but please remember that it may be difficult to collect biological evidence after 10 days. However, if more than 10 days have passed since your assault, you may still receive other assistance. Here are some options:

  1. Contact the STOP Violence Program. We can give you information and help you consider your options.
  2. Contact the University Counseling Center. The STOP Advocate or another counselor will help you decide what to do next.
  3. Go to the Student Health Service.
  4. Contact your Resident Assistant (RA) or Apartment Life Assistant (ALA).
  5. Contact the police. It is not too late to file a complaint.

No matter which of these options you choose, it is very important that you get medical attention. You may have an STD, gotten pregnant or have internal injuries and may need treatment.

Also, please consider these reasons for seeking assistance after an assault:

  • You will feel more in control.
  • You will get the medical care you need.
  • You will help preserve any evidence that may still exist.
  • You can resolve safety and security concerns.

Even if you report your assault, prosecution of your assailant is not a certainty. But, it does mean that you have taken the first steps. It is important to remember that if you make a report to the police, that they are required by law to pay for the cost of the Biological Evidence Collection Kit.

 

Unsure if what happened to you was a sexual assault? Please stop in or call us today to speak to a confidential advocate. We are here to help and to answer any questions that you may have.

 

For more information about sexual assault, please visit the RAINN website.

Last Updated on 8/12/2009 11:47:02 AM