Suggested Steps After a Sexual Assault
If you have been sexually assaulted or raped...It is not your fault. Help is available. There are people at the University who will believe you and support you as you decide what to do.
Make sure you are safe from further harm. Call someone you trust, such as a friend, or the Molly Hays Glander Rape and Sexual Response Line (919-618-7273). An advocate from the Molly Hays Glander Response Line will provide emotional support and guidance (i.e. walk you through the steps below), as well as direct you to support services both on and off campus. Click on the attached link for all of the available resources available to you at NC State. [Resources]
Reasons To Report the Assault: Reporting helps the survivor regain a sense of personal power and control. Reporting allows the survivor access to specialized medical care. Reporting helps preserve evidence which could be valuable in prosecuting. Reporting helps survivors resolve concerns about personal safety and security. Reporting does not mean prosecution is certain, but if pursued later, the first steps have been taken.
Within 72 hours: Here are some suggestions if you want to have a rape kit (even if you have not yet decided to press charges, it is still important that you get this exam soon as it is only offered within 72 hours after an assault):
- Try to avoid showering, bathing, douching, eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth so that evidence will not be disturbed
- Clothing worn during the assault should be saved in a paper bag or pillow case, and the location at which the assault took place should not be disturbed.
- Go to the WakeMed S.A.F.E.Center emergency room (919) 828-3067
The S.A.F.E Center (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Center), located at WakeMed, is a designated area for the forensic examination and treatment of survivors of rape and sexual assault.
The purpose of the S.A.F.E. Center is:
- To gather evidence that can be used to prosecute rape cases collected in a private, confidential and safe location by a trained forensic nurse examiner.
- To provide survivors of rape and sexual assault the opportunity to access support services from and Interact Advocate.
- To provide law enforcement with the opportunity to begin their investigation without delay.
When a survivor arrives at the S.A.F.E. Center, he or she will receive support from a nurse examiner, and Interact Advocate, and a law enforcement officer. The law enforcement office and the nurse examiner will interview the survivor, and then a forensic nurse examiner will take him or her to an examination room to complete the Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit. The evidence is collected to aid in the prosecution of the perpetrator and is turned over to the City County Bureau of Identification. The evidence collection process includes taking samples of blood, body fluid and hair. The nurse will keep the survivor’s clothing if it was worn at the time of the assault. After the examination, the survivor can take a shower at the S.A.F.E. Center and if necessary, will be provided a change of clothing. It is recommended that you bring a change of clothing.
An Interact Advocate is available throughout the entire process. Following the interview, the Interact Advocate will provide follow-up information on counseling, support groups and court advocacy or the survivor can make contact with Interact by calling 919-828-3005.
As long as the assault occurred within 72 hours, it is still important to go to WakeMed S.A.F.E. center as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not you followed the above suggestions.
If the assault occurred within 72 hours and you DO NOT want a rape exam, it is still important that you seek medical attention because of potential pregnancy*, and the contraction of sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
*NC State Women’s Health Center provides the morning after pill to students within 72 hours of a potential pregnancy (919) 515-7762.
If the assault occurred more than 72-hours ago: Many survivors of sexual assault do not come forward until days, weeks, months, or even years after the assault. If the assault occurred more than 72 hours ago, all of the same procedures apply with the EXCEPTION of the necessity to go to the hospital for evidence collection (rape protocol exam.). You should still consider reporting the assault to the police and going to a medical center to check for internal injuries, sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy. The type and extent of police involvement, medical exam, and counseling will depend on the amount of time that has lapsed since the assault.
If the assault occurred more than 72 hours ago, call Women's Health Center at 515-7762 to make an appointment so they can assist you with concerns such as sexually transmitted infections (STI) tests, pregnancy test (for women) and any other medical concerns. You are encouraged to tell them when you call to make an appointment that it is an urgent situation so that they can make you an appointment as soon as possible. The nurse practitioners and doctor on staff are well trained on these issues, and can provide better care if they know about the assault, however you are not required to tell them what happened.
Remember, the assault was NOT your fault.
