SEXUAL ASSAULT

What To Do If You Are Sexually Assaulted

• Go to a safe place.
• To report the incident or seek support, contact Campus Safety at 216-397-1234 or the JCU 24-hour hotline at 397-CALL. Campus Safety Services can provide immediate referral information, access to the university counselor on-call, and/or investigative assistance. The JCU 24-hour hotline can provide immediate and confidential support and crisis intervention, educate victims and/or supportive others about reporting options and medical care, and coordinate an in-person advocacy response when appropriate.
• Call a friend, a family member, or someone else you trust and ask him or her to stay with you.
• Preserve all physical evidence of the assault. Do not shower, bathe, douche, or brush your teeth. Save all of the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. If possible place each item of clothing in a separate paper bag. Do not use plastic bags. Do not disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred.
• If you were sexually assaulted in the last 96 hours, seek immediate medical attention at a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Unit. If possible, do not bathe, urinate, douche, brush teeth, or consume liquids or food before seeking medical attention. A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner is a registered nurse with expertise in forensic evidence collection and medical care following trauma, such as sexual assault or relationship violence. The five 24-hour SANE Units in Cuyahoga County are located at Hillcrest Hospital, Huron Hospital, Marymount Hospital, Marymount South, and Fairview Hospital. Hillcrest Hospital is the closest in proximity to John Carroll University.
• Write down as much as you can remember about the circumstances of the assault, including a description of the assailant.
• Talk with a counselor who is trained to assist rape victims about the emotional and physical impacts of the assault. You can call the Cleveland Rape Crisis 24 Hour Hotline at 216-619-6192. You can also contact campus resources: Student Health Center 216-397-4349, Student Counseling Center 216-397-4283, Campus Ministry 216-397-4717.

If you want information about legal issues, medical care, or other concerns related to the assault, visit www.jcu.edu/vpac, call Ashley Hawke at 216-397-2175, or stop by Safe Space: Violence Prevention and Action Center located in the Counseling Center.