Recommended Procedures for Helping Students
Who Have Been Sexually Assaulted
Provided by the Blinn College Police Department
- Brenham Campus
SexOffender.com Online Database
Blinn College is committed to providing an educational
atmosphere in which students can achieve their goals and maximum potential
When students experience sexual assault, the violation of their sense
of safety and trust can seriously interfere with their lives and educational
goals. Survivors often have mixed feelings about the assault and
are unsure how to deal with it legally, administratively and emotionally.
If more members of the college community are aware of the consequences
of sexual assault and the options available to survivors, they will be
in a better position to help survivors seek the help needed to deal with
the hurt they have suffered.
The following protocol was developed to be used by
Blinn College students or employees who might be called upon to support
and/or advise survivors of sexual assault. The document explains
the options available to survivors of sexual assault.
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault (rape) is nonconsensual sexual acts in which
the perpetrator uses force, manipulation or coercion. It is an act
of aggression, violence and power. The perpetrator can be a stranger,
a relative, an acquaintance, or a date. Although rape is usually a crime
committed against women, it also happens to men.
Sexual misconduct is defined as:
"performing or attempting to perform sexual acts against
a person's will, or in circumstances where a person is physically, mentally
or legally unable to give consent."
What is its prevalence?
FBI statistics indicate that rape is the most underreported
crime, with only one of every 10 offenses reported. Seventy-three
percent of the reported sexual assaults were committed by friends, acquaintances,
or relatives of the survivors.
If a sexual assault has just occurred
- Make sure the student is safe. Call the
police immediately (on campus 4100 or 9-911) if the rapist might still
be in the area.
- Assist in preserving evidence. Tell the
student NOT to change clothes, shower,
douche, comb hair, brush teeth, eat, drink or urinate (unless absolutely
necessary). Tell the student not to disturb the crime scene and to take
a change of clothes to the hospital.
- Encourage a medical evaluation. A medical evaluation
is needed, regardless if the student plans to press rape charges.
There may be hidden physical injuries of which the student is not aware.
- Arrange psychological support for the student.
Get a friend of the student or a counselor to accompany the student
through medical and legal procedures.
- Encourage legal (criminal and/or civil) charges
and/or College disciplinary options. Survivors can decide not to proceed
with charges later.
What is the effect of sexual assault?
Sexual assault can have far-reaching emotional impact on
survivors. Besides feeling hurt, frightened, angry and shamed, survivors
can feel betrayed and guilty particularly after being raped by someone
they know and trust. In some cases, they do not even acknowledge they
have been raped until weeks, or even years after the incident has occurred.
Important issues to remember
- It is very important that you allow the student
to control the process.
- It is always the survivor's choice whether or
not to report the sexual assault.
- Medical evidence should be collected within 48 hours if possible.
- If the student is willing to report the sexual
assault to the police, it is critical that the police be contacted as
quickly as possible so that evidence can be preserved.
- The survivor has the option of requesting a concealed
identity or pseudonym during the police investigation.
- Survivors can choose to stop the legal process
at any point.
Services available to students who have been assaulted
Assistance by trained professionals during and after the crisis can make
a major difference in the rape survivor's emotional adjustment. Getting
support or counseling does not obligate someone to report the rape to
the police. Free and confidential counseling and other referrals are available
through:
Student Counseling Services
979-830-4196
Professional counseling for currently enrolled students.
Brazos County Rape Crisis Center
979-268-7273
24-hour emergency hotline and face-to-face counseling. Advocacy and support
throughout.
|
