How to Help: Myself

If you have been sexually assaulted

• Are you safe? Your safety and well-being are the highest priority. If you are unsure where to go or can think of nowhere that is safe for you at this time, please consider calling AVALON, Williamsburg's Shelter for Women and Children to arrange for a place to stay. You may ask the William and Mary Police to contact the Dean of Students who can help you with housing arrangements as well.
• Consider calling a trusted friend, relative, a counselor, or a trained W&M Sexual Assault Peer Advocate (645-8367). These people can provide you with the support and care you may need at this time.
• You should consider seeking medical care. You may need to receive basic medical treatment for injuries, and you may have injuries of which you are not aware at this time. The Student Health Center or the local hospital can provide you with screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and pregnancy. Trained staff at the Student Health Center or a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) at the local hospital can speak with you about all of the medical options available at this time.
• You may choose to file a report with the police, Either campus police or local law enforcement.
• You may contact the Dean of Students Office. The Dean's staff works closely with campus resources and may assist you in determining what, if any, steps you wish to take. The Dean can put you in touch with the Student Health Center staff, the William and Mary Police, and the Counseling Center, as well as off-campus resources. The Dean's Office will respect your wishes with respect to whether you wish for this matter to be reported officially and how you want to proceed. During business hours, call the office at 221-2510 and ask to speak to a Dean.
• If you choose to file a report with the police, it is important to try not bathe, shower, brush your teeth, drink, or even use the restroom. All these things destroy physical evidence that may be helpful in a criminal investigation.
• Please seek some form of emotional support. While taking care of your physical needs may be the first step in taking care of yourself, it is important not to neglect the emotions you may be experiencing as a result of the assault.
• Know that you are not alone. There are people who can help you process what you are experiencing and explain the options that are available to you at this time.
• It is your choice to determine when and in what manner you recover from your trauma. It is up to you to make the decisions that will be the best for you.
• Remember, the assault was not your fault.
  

For more information on your rights and options as a survivor of sexual assault, you can request a copy of a survivor handbook from SAPA, the Counseling Center or the Sexual Assault Educator.

For additional information or assistance, please refer to the emergency contact list below or Survivor FAQs

Emergency Contact Information

• William & Mary Police Department:
  (757) 221-4596 or 911
  Call the William and Mary police department to report a sexual assault, arrange for transportation to the hospital, or to access Counselor-On-Call to speak with a 24 hour crisis counselor.
• SAPA (Sexual Assault Peer Advocates) (757) 645-8367 24-hours/day. Call the SAPA cell phone to speak to an advocate directly or email sapaxx@wm.edu. An advocate can provide confidential and non-judgmental support, resources, and information 24-hours/day.
• William & Mary Counseling Center:
  (757) 221-3620
  Call the Counseling Center to make an appointment. Emergency appointments are available. Services are free.
• Student Health Center:
  (757) 221-4386
  Call the Student Health Center to make an appointment or to receive important medical referrals and information.
• Director of Sexual Assault Services:
  (757) 221-3620
  The Director of Sexual Assault Services coordinates the College's comprehensive response to sexual assault. The Director's 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.
• Sexual Assault Educator:
  (757) 221-7369
  The Sexual Assault Educator is a resource for anyone at the college seeking more information on sexual assault and related issues.
• Dean of Students:
  (757) 221-2510
  The Dean of Students can ensure that a student's needs are being met as they heal from the assault. They can provide information on the campus student conduct process and advocate for the student's rights on campus.
• Office of Residence Life:
  (757) 221- 4314
  Your residence life staff can help by providing support, referral, and resource information.
• Avalon 24 Hour Helpline:
  (757) 258-5051
  Call Avalon to speak with an advocate 24 hours a day, arrange for shelter, or to receive resource and referral information.
• Sentara Williamsburg Community Hospital:
  (757) 984-6000
  The hospital can provide you with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and provide treatment for injuries, STIS, and pregnancy.