|
Of people who report sexual violence, 64% of women and 16% of men were raped, physically assaulted, or stalked by an intimate partner. This includes a current or former spouse, cohabitating partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, or date.
|
Frequently Asked Questions: Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
- Does the college have a confidential reporting process?
- How do I help a friend who has been sexually assaulted?
- If I have sex with someone who has been drinking, can I be accused of sexual assault?
- It seems like there are so many gray areas when it comes to sexual assault on campus. How does anyone know where the line is?
- My friend was accused of sexual assault. What should I do?
- My significant other or friend was sexually assaulted. Is there anything I should know?
- What can I do to contribute to the well-being of the campus community?
- I think this is an important issue and I want to get more involved. What can I do?
Survivor FAQs
- I have just been assaulted. Do I need medical services?
- I would like medical services. Where can I go?
- What if I need transportation to the hospital?
- Do I need to do anything before I go to the hospital?
- Will I have any control in making decisions regarding my care and treatment in the Emergency Room?
- What is the Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK)?
- I am not sure if I want to report this to the police or press charges. Can I still have a PERK done at the hospital?
- I have recently been sexually assaulted. What can I do to feel safe again?
- Who is the Director of Sexual Assault Services?
- If I want to file criminal charges, how do I do that?
- If I want to press charges through the College's Student Conduct Process, how do I do that?
- If I press charges under the College's Student Conduct Process, what will happen to the other person?
General FAQs
-
Does the college have a confidential reporting process?
Yes! A student can confidentially report a sexual assault to the Dean of Students Office, Student Health Center or Counseling Center. This means that a student can come forward without necessarily triggering an investigation or police involvement. In addition, a student can confidentially report as a third party if he or she witnessed a sexual assault or if a friend was sexually assaulted.
Top of page -
How do I help a friend who has been sexually assaulted?
First of all, reassure your friend that it was not his/her fault and that they are not to blame for what happened. Be supportive of your friend by guiding that person to resources that may be helpful and letting him/her make the decisions as to what to do; this is the most important thing you can do. Realizing that you can't fix the problem or make the hurt go away is also helpful as your friend heals from his/her trauma. Your presence is already a comfort. For more information, see Helping a Friend who has been Sexually Assaulted
Top of page -
If I have sex with someone who has been drinking, can I be accused of sexual assault?
It is against the College of William and Mary's sexual misconduct policy to have sex with someone who is mentally or physically incapacitated, and therefore incapable of giving consent. Alcohol may cause such a state of incapacitation. However, it varies on a case by case basis. Simply put, it is not advisable for a variety of reasons to engage in sexual activity while intoxicated. When one or both parties are intoxicated, people tend to misinterpret another's sexual intentions and often proceed before the issue of consent has been clarified. If you have further questions, Ask an Educator or contact the Sexual Assault Educator for more information.
Top of page -
It seems like there are so many gray areas when it comes to sexual assault on campus. How does anyone know where the line is?
Consider contacting someone, such as a counselor at the Counseling Center or the Director of Sexual Assault Services, who can speak with you confidentially about these issues and help you process the nuances. It may also be helpful to seek out information to help you understand the definition of sexual assault.
Top of page -
My friend was accused of sexual assault. What should I do?
Encourage your friend to seek out resources on campus that are specifically designed to assist those who are going through the Student Conduct process, such as the Dean of Students or Counseling Center. If you are having difficulty understanding or dealing with what your friend might be experiencing, it might be a good idea for you to seek help as well.
Top of page - My significant other or friend was sexually assaulted. Is there anything I should know?
- Educate yourself about the dynamics of sexual assault
- Talk to your friend or loved one about how you can be most supportive
- Respect that person's physical, emotional, and sexual boundaries
- Offer to accompany your friend or significant other to seek help from a professional counselor, physician, college administrator, and/or police officer.
- Help is also available should you find it difficult to accept or handle your friend or loved one's assault.
- For more specific information, visit Helping a Partner Who Has Been Sexually Assaulted or Helping a Friend who has been Sexually Assaulted.
Top of page -
What can I do to contribute to the well-being of the campus community?
Students are the most powerful influence for change on campus. You can continue to maintain healthy behaviors and make positive choices and encourage your peers to do the same. The less tolerant we are of violent images, jokes, attitudes, and behaviors, the more likely we are to keep our community functioning as a healthy and violence-free environment.
Top of page -
I think this is an important issue and I want to get more involved. What can I do?
Here is a list of some organizations on campus that address the issue of sexual assault.
- Every 2 Minutes is an all female sexual assault peer education group.
- One in Four is an all male sexual assault peer education group.
- Alliance for Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP) is made up of students interested in the issue and representatives from groups on campuss working on issues related to sexual violence. ASAP plans Seuxal Assault Awareness Week and raises awareness on campus about the issue.
- Sexual Assault Peer Advocates (SAPA) is a group of trained student advocates who provide help and support 24-Hours a Day for anyone on campus dealing with a sexual assault related issue.
Top of page
Survivor FAQs
-
I have just been assaulted. Do I need medical services?
If you have been assaulted, it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible. Your need for treatment is, and should be considered, an emergency even if there are no visible signs of physical injury. Taking care of your health at this time is an important step in the healing process and could provide you with more options later. It is important to seek medical care in order to:
- Be examined and treated for any injuries.
- Be tested and treated for possible exposure to sexually transmitted diseases.
- Females should discuss the risk of pregnancy and talk about options in case you are pregnant.
- Collect time-sensitive physical evidence for use should you decide now or later to report the assault to the police for possible prosecution of the offender.
Top of page -
I would like medical services. Where can I go?
On campus, you can go to the Student Health Center, which is located behind the Sadler Center. The staff members of the Student Health Center strive to treat patients with respect and empathy and are especially equipped to mobilize campus resources for students. Students who have been assaulted can receive many services at the Student Health Center, including screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, a pregnancy test, and emergency contraception.
In the Williamsburg/James City County area, the Sentara Williamsburg Community Hospital Emergency Care Center can examine, treat for injuries, collect evidence and administer a Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK) after an assault on a 24-hour basis. The hospital will also have a SANE Nurse available. A SANE nurse is trained to work with survivors of sexual assault thorugh the medical process.
Top of page -
What if I need transportation to the hospital?
If a friend or family member isn't available, you can call 911 for police or rescue squad transportation to the hospital.
Top of page -
Do I need to do anything before I go to the hospital?
- Consider going to the Student Health Center if it is during working hours to utilize their free services and talk to a trained staff member.
- If you would like to have an advocate with you at the hospital, you can contact Avalon's 24 hour hotline (757-258-5051) or Sexual Assault Peer Advocates (SAPA) at (757-645-8367).
- In case you decide to have evidence collected, it is important not to change clothes (you can bring a change of clothes with you), shower or bathe, drink, eat, smoke, brush your teeth or use the bathroom unless absolutely necessary before the medical exam. These actions could destroy physical evidence. (*Note: Collecting evidence up front will give you more options down the road. It can be done anonymously by requesting an anonymous PERK at most hospitals.)
- If you've changed your clothes since the assault, place the clothes you wore at the time of the attack in a paper bag (plastic can destroy evidence). Bring them with you to the emergency room. Let your nurse or doctors know you have them, and tell them if you have done anything else (washed, ate, etc.) before you arrived. This will assist them in making their report.
Top of page -
Will I have any control in making decisions regarding my care and treatment in the Emergency Room?
The medical staff cannot examine you or collect physical evidence without your permission. They need your signed consent for the examination and to give the evidence kit to the police. Remember, you have the right to refuse any part of the examination or treatment and to ask any questions you may have about any aspect of your care. All procedures should be explained so that you understand why and how they are done. If you are confused, it is okay to ask the nurse or doctor to explain what they are doing.
Top of page -
What is the Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK)?
The Physical Evidence Recovery Kit is the tool used to collect physical evidence from a person who has been sexually assaulted. The PERK is conducted by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) or a forensic nurse and is treated as evidence in a criminal investigation.
Top of page -
I am not sure if I want to report this to the police or press charges. Can I still have a PERK done at the hospital?
At the hospital, a person has the option of requesting a PERK without filing a report, talking with the police or being liable for payment. Having a PERK done at the hospital will allow survivors a greater range of options later. Speaking with an advocate or SANE nurse may help you understand this process a little better.
Top of page -
I have recently been sexually assaulted. What can I do to feel safe again?
It is natural for someone to experience feelings of fear after a traumatic event. An individual who has experienced a sexual assault may need time to heal and to reestablish their own sense of personal safety. In addition, if the person who committed the assault was someone known to you, you might have additional safety concerns. These concerns are legitimate. Here are some possible suggestions to help you address your personal safety:
- Consider staying with a close friend, supportive relative, or a local shelter until you decide how to move forward
- Talk with a counselor or an advocate to develop a safety plan if you are worried about the offender trying to contact you
- Consider sharing your safety plan with a trusted friend
- Ask friends to accompany you around campus so you do not have to walk alone
- Utilize services such as Campus Escort or Steer Clear if you need a safe walk or ride home (Steer Clear only operates on the weekends during specific times).
- Consider talking with the Dean of Students to learn more about your options on campus.
- For more information, contact the Director of Sexual Assault Services or the Sexual Assault Educator.
Top of page -
Who is the Director of Sexual Assault Services?
The Director of Sexual Assault Services coordinates the College's comprehensive response to sexual assault. Her responsibilities include overseeing William and Mary's sexual assault education and prevention programming, peer advocacy efforts, personal counseling, crisis intervention, and general resources. In addition, the Director is responsible for maintaining a consistent institutional response whenever a sexual assault is reported. As a full-time psychologist in William and Mary's Counseling Center, the Director consults with survivors of sexual assault, students accused of sexual assault, faculty, staff, parents, and friends of both survivors and accused students. The Director of Sexual Assault Services is also available for counseling appointments and can be accessed by calling the Counseling Center (757-221-3620).
Top of page -
If I want to file criminal charges, how do I do that?
Contact the local or William and Mary Police for more information.
Top of page -
If I want to press charges through the College's Student Conduct Process, how do I do that?
Contact William and Mary Police (757-221-4596) or the Dean of Students Office (757-221-2511) for further information. You may meet with a Dean in the Dean of Students Office to explore your options under the Student Code of Conduct. Merely meeting with a Dean does not mean that the Dean will pursue the matter without your consent. The Dean will take direction from you as to whether or not you wish to proceed with the Student Conduct Process.
Top of page -
If I press charges under the College's Student Conduct Process, what will happen to the other person?
The College has high expectations regarding how students treat each other, especially in the area of intimate relationships. The Student Handbook takes a strong stand against sexual misconduct. If a student is found responsible for violating the sexual misconduct policy by non-consensual intercourse, the student will face sanctions including contingent or permanent dismissal from the College. Non-consensual touching (without intercourse or forced oral sex) will result in a minimum sanction of probation (although dismissal is considered for these cases as well).
Top of page
Contact Trisha Hunsaker, Sexual Assault Educator to schedule a presentation!
