Help is available and recovery is possible. Talking with someone aids your recovery. Free and confidential services are available from Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services (438-7948 or 438-2778).
Accessing services will not result in a report being filed.
Consider reporting the assault to police by telephoning 911. Reporting can aid your recovery and prevent others from being assaulted. If you have been assaulted on campus you may telephone the ISU Police at 911 or 438-8631 (TDD: 438-8266). If the assault occurred in Bloomington or Normal, telephone 911 or 888-5030 (TDD: 888-5030)
Try to preserve all physical evidence. Do no bathe, shower, use the toilet or change clothing. If you must remove your clothing, place them in a paper bag to prevent deterioration of evidence.
Take care of yourself. Seek medical attention from a hospital, Student Health Service, or another health care provider. Student Health Service cannot complete the rape evidence collection kit (rape kit). A rape crisis advocate can be called to help you through this process at the hospital. Medical care is needed whether or not you report the assault. Follow up care will also be needed.
Medical treatment following an assault will include:
assessment and treatment of any physical injuries
testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and providing preventive measures
review of the need for pregnancy prevention measures/emergency contraception; pregnancy cannot be diagnosed for that episode of intercourse for 2 to 3 weeks.
a physical exam (rape kit) to collect evidence for criminal prosecution can also be conducted. This exam is performed only at a hospital emergency room. Agreeing to complete the rape kit will keep your options open – you can decide later about whether or not you want to pursue criminal charges.
When provided with medical care as a result of an assault, the medical provider is required to telephone the police. However, no identifying information is provided to the police, and you can decide whether or not you want to talk with the police.
If the perpetrator of the assault is an ISU student, a complaint can also be filed with the university’s office of Community Rights and Responsibilities for violations of the Student Code of Conduct
Common Reactions: Individuals react in many different ways and some people do not react until days, weeks, or months after an assault. There are, however, some common reactions and recovery strategies.
Disclaimer
Information contained on this Web site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or emergency treatment. You should not use any information on this Web site to diagnose or develop a treatment plan for a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care provider. If you are in a life-threatening or emergency medical situation, seek medical assistance immediately. In the event of a medical emergency, call 911. Great care has been taken to review the accuracy of the information provided on this Web site. However, neither The Board of Trustees of Illinois State University nor any of its officers, agents, or employees shall be held responsible for errors or omissions in information contained in this Web site nor be held liable for any direct or indirect damages whatsoever resulting, in whole or in part, from any person’s use or reliance upon this Web site.
