Sexual Assault Policy

What You Might Do If You or Someone You Know Has Been Sexually Assaulted

The following information is a quick list of options, supports or resources available to a person who has been sexually assaulted and generally assumes a Richmond / Campus incident. Consult “The Choice Is Yours” chart in this document for various avenues of response on and off campus and consult “Choices To Make / What to Expect” below for more information about confidentiality, reporting and medical exams.[2]

1. After an assault has occurred, go to a safe place. This might be the home of a friend or a family member, or any place where you can find physical safety and receive emotional support.

2. If you feel unsafe, desire to report the assault or want to discuss any aspect of your experience, contact one of the resources listed appropriate to your needs; consider contacting Campus Security, your off-campus leader, local police or a crisis center. See “Who Might Help? Whom Might You Call?” on the next two pages. These contacts can listen to you, give you needed advice, and help you get the needed medical attention. Whenever you contact Campus Safety and Security or the Student Development Office, staff will inform the Associate Dean for Student Conduct who will follow-up on your call. See “Choices to Make / What to Expect” # 1, 2, & 3 for more information.[3]

3. Seek medical help immediately to treat injuries, and/or receive emergency contraception and acquire antibiotics to protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. You should also be tested for HIV, STDs and/or pregnancy. Emergency contraception is not effective if administered more than 72 hours after an assault. Funds for some exams are available through the good offices of Action Against Rape. See “Choices to Make / What to Expect” #5 for more information.

Who Will Help? Whom Might You Call?

All services are free unless otherwise noted.

• Campus Safety and Security
  For immediate response, x1400 (983-1400)

Calling Campus Safety and Security will yield a response 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The phone is often answered by student workers who are expected to keep all calls confidential. You may ask to speak to a Safety and Security Officer or a Dean rather than the student worker but to do so without indicating why you are calling may result in a wait. When Security responds to your call, the staff member records the contact and a report of the incident including the names of those involved is made to the Associate Dean for Student Conduct who will follow-up on your call. Campus Safety and Security will provide care and assistance and will facilitate other connections you might want to make.

• Deans of Student Development
  x1311 (983-1311), 8-5, Monday through Friday

Call Campus Safety and Security at other times for a connection to a Dean of Student Development.

• Richmond Police Department
For immediate response, 9-911 on campus; 911 off campus

Officers will respond and facilitate medical help. They will usually contact Campus Safety and Security and Genesis, a rape crisis center. A report will be made. A criminal complaint may be initiated.

Confidential Contacts

• Campus Ministries
  x1311; Confidential line: x1501

The Director of Campus Ministries can be reached through the Student Development Office from 8-5 Monday through Friday. At other times Campus Safety and Security can often arrange a connection.

You can leave a confidential message at x1501 (983-1501)

• Counseling Services
  x1432, x1449, 8-5 Monday through Friday

Other times Campus Safety and Security can make a connection.

• National Rape Crisis Line
  Toll Free 1-800-656-HOPE

This number will connect you to the Oxford, OH, Crisis Center: nearest local member of Rape Abuse and Incest National Network. You can use this number from anywhere in the United States 24/7 and be transferred to a counselor at the nearest affiliated center.

• On Line Counseling: Middle Way House, Bloomington, IN
www.bloomington.in.us/~mwhouse/ifincrisis.htm

This is not live chat.

• Earlham Student Advocates
Lists posted: Bathrooms, Bulletin Boards

“We are a group of female and male students, some of us survivors ourselves... If you are a survivor, or have been in other ways affected by the issue of sexual violence, or would just like to talk about the issue, we can provide both support and information. We are trained to be active listeners and, if necessary, to make referrals for legal, medical, and counseling services both on and off campus. If desired we will accompany the survivor through these processes. We will encourage survivors to make their own choices. Everything that is shared will remain strictly confidential.” (See full Statement of Purpose and Philosophy accompanying advocate lists.)

• Student Active Listeners

Updated lists of Active Listeners can be found at the end of the College Harassment Policy. Access through the Earlham Web Site Site Index or at www.earlham.edu/policies/harassment-contact.html

• Genesis Shelter and Rape Crisis Center, Richmond IN
  935-3920

Calls answered by trained volunteers 24/7.

4. Before seeking a medical examination, do not shower, brush your teeth, douche, or change clothes and, if possible, do not drink fluids or urinate before the exam in order to best preserve physical evidence. Allowing this medical examination does not commit you to pressing charges; rather, it enables you to do so if you decide to do so. The evidence collected will probably include articles of clothing and some personal effects. It really is best not to change and wash before the exam but if you have, you can still be treated and can bring the original clothes with you in a paper bag.

5. Even if you do not have an immediate medical examination, it is still possible to collect evidence and receive antibiotics and emergency contraception for 72 hours after the assault. Even if the 72 hours have elapsed, you should still have a medical exam to test for sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy.

The Choice is Yours

The chart below depicts the three paths a victim of sexual assault may follow in seeking information, counseling, support and reporting an assault. None of the three paths is mutually exclusive; a student, faculty or staff member may pursue any or all forms of recourse.

Only you can decide what to do. As you reach your decision, keep in mind that most offenders will reoffend if not held accountable. Legal action may prevent that from happening.

6. It is easy to forget important details, so write down or record your story soon to avoid losing details.

7. You may also want to file a complaint in the Campus Judicial System. To do so, contact the Associate Dean for Student Conduct if you are a student, or the Grievance Officer or Provost if you are a member of the faculty or staff. Your case will then be referred, respectively, to the Campus Judicial Council or the Harassment Board. An investigation will follow for appropriate disciplinary action under the College ’s policies. It is important to know that the victim may have a supporter (any Earlham College community member of their choice) with her/him during the reporting and College Judicial Council processes. See “Choices to Make / What to Expect” # 1, 2 & 3 for more information.

8. Take whatever steps you find necessary. These might include talking with a friend, partner or counselor about your feelings. (You may wish to read the section marked “Third Party Reporting,” or discuss fully issues of confidentiality covered in # 3 under “Choices to Make / What to Expect.”) You may find it helpful to try to resume your regular routine although frequently people find that difficult.

9. Over time other things to consider might include your living arrangement, academic class situations, strategies for completing work or leaves of absence.

10. Consider seeking counseling, whether or not you decide to press charges or take part in any judicial action. Counseling can be helpful as you work through the assault and as you consider your options.

[2]Here or elsewhere in this document we try to keep information accurate and current, but we cannot guarantee that all information is always fully up to date. Laws and federal policies evolve and phone numbers are subject to change.

[3]A note on men who are assaulted. Although our culture generally assumes that women are the victims of sexual assault, and women are far more likely to be subject to sexual assault, men are assaulted too. A number of factors, also culturally driven, may heighten or be unique to a man’s experience. For example, a man may be particularly shocked by his fear and vulnerability; it may be difficult for him to look for support. A man is likely to question his sexuality or gender identity as a consequence of sexual assault. Persons knowledgeable about men’s experience of sexual assault are likely to be the most helpful.