Dealing With Sexual Assault
FOR THE VICTIM OF RAPE OR OTHER SEXUAL ASSAULT
1. You may seek help from:
- The Counseling Department (ext. 279)
- Security staff (ext. 292)
- The Dean of Students (ext. 278)
- And/or the Residence Hall Coordinator (ext. 295)
Your situation will be handled in the strictest confidence.
NOTE: For the legal protection of sexual assault victims, sexual assault counselors from Victim Services Center and WOAR have special legal immunity from being subpoenaed. Manor College personnel may be subpoenaed to testify if the case is brought to trial. Therefore, you are also encouraged to contact Victim Services Center (24-hour crisis line: 610-277-5200) or WOAR (215-985-3333).
2. You may request staff to call an ambulance and/or the police.
3. You may also, on your own, go to the Abington Memorial Hospital Emergency Room or any hospital emergency room for medical treatment. You are strongly encouraged to seek medical treatment and to file a police report. (For important information about why it is important, Physical.)
4. You may also, on your own, choose to call police, 911. (For information about reporting the rape/sexual assault to the police, Legal.)
5. For support and information, including how to get reimbursement for medical expenses, call:
- Victim Services Center of Montgomery Co. (24-hour crisis line: 610-277-5200).
- WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape: 215-985-3333) also a good resource. **
6. Keep in mind that you can apply for reimbursement of medical expenses (including private counseling) through the Crime Victims Compensation Act only if the rape or other crime is reported within 72 hours.
* Expenses related to the crime, including medical and counseling expenses, are eligible for reimbursement through the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Victim Services Center can help you prepare a claim, or you may also call the PA Crime Victims Compensation Board at 1-800-233-2339.
** All services provided by the Victim Services Center are free to Montgomery County residents, including Manor College Residence Hall students (no matter where the crime was committed). Services are also free to out-of-county students if the crime is committed on campus (or anywhere in Montgomery County).
ASSISTING A STUDENT RAPED/SEXUALLY ASSAULTED ON CAMPUS
Sexual assault can be highly traumatic and feelings of intense shame and embarrassment are common and normal. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance. Sensitivity and patience must be exercised in any attempt to provide assistance.
Ask the person what kind of help she/he would like.
Do not try to pressure a victim into any course of action. Give them the information provided here, but allow them to make their own decisions
There are three main areas of concern: physical, legal, and emotional. We encourage victims to get medical treatment, to report the crime to the police, and to seek counseling, however, they have the right to accept or refuse.
AREAS FOR ATTENTION:
1. Physical – Generally, sexual assault should be treated as other medical emergencies. With her/his permission, the victim should be taken to the Abington Memorial Hospital Emergency Room. Understand, however, that some people are reluctant to accept medical treatment after a sexual assault or rape, particularly if the crime was committed by someone they know (acquaintance rape). Offer the individual the following information:
Important reasons to seek medical treatment:
A. There may be internal injuries of which the student is not aware, and only a medical examination can ultimately reassure the student that there is no need for medical treatment.
B. Preventative treatment for venereal disease may be appropriate and can also be reassuring.
C. It is important to get medical advice on dealing with possible exposure to HIV infection.
D. In the event that the student decides to press charges against the offender, whether now or at a later date, it is advisable to obtain medical treatment for the purpose of collection of evidence.
What happens to sexual assault victims when they are brought to the emergency room:
A. The hospital is mandated by law to contact the police.
B. The Abington Hospital ER can contact the on-call sexual assault counselor, if the victim wishes. The specially-trained counselor from the Victim Services Center will come to the hospital to provide support and information.
C. The ER physician will provide both medical treatment and advice regarding follow-up, and collect evidence in case the victim should choose at some point to press criminal charges. However, no decision regarding legal action needs to be made at this point
D. If the student does not wish to go to the emergency room, they have the option of going to a private physician for medical treatment, but need to be aware that most private physicians will not collect forensic evidence.
Legal
Rape and other types of sexual assault are crimes, and as such, should be reported to the police. Reporting these crimes helps keep others from being victimized. Sexual predators are usually repeat offenders. Remember, rape and other sexual assaults are not about sex, they are about control, violence, and a desire to hurt and humiliate. Sex is just the vehicle.
Information to know about reporting the crime:
A. A Victim Services Center sexual assault counselor (610-277-5200) is available free of charge to meet victims of sexual assault at the police station, and to accompany them on all court appearances if they choose to press charges.
B. An attempt is usually made to match the gender of the responding officer to the gender of the victim of a sexual crime, but that cannot be guaranteed.
C. If charges are pressed, the victim will be referred to a detective, most of whom are male.
D. If the rape or other sexual crime is reported within 72 hours (3 days), the victim can apply for reimbursement of medical expenses through the Crime Victim’s Compensation Act. This is important for the victim to realize since a trip to the emergency room and other follow-up costs can be expensive.
E. In cases of an unknown assailant, providing information to law enforcement officers can aid in the assailant’s capture. When rapists are tried and convicted, other potential victims are spared attack.
F. Manor College is legally required to report incidents of rape and other sexual assault to the police
G. Manor College is also required to file an incident report, however, names of victims are never, used in statistical reports. Protecting the privacy of the victim is of the utmost importance to the College.
NOTE: For the legal protection of rape and sexual assault victims, sexual assault counselors from Victim Services Center and WOAR have special legal immunity from being subpoenaed. Manor personnel may be subpoenaed to testify if the case is brought to trial, and thus should encourage the student to contact Victim Services Center or WOAR.
Emotional – Sexual assault can be emotionally devastating and can sometimes have, depending on many factors, long-term emotional consequences. Since loss of a sense of control and of safety are experienced during sexual assault, it is important to be supportive and to avoid even the slightest coercive tone when helping the victim. Many intense feelings, including confusion, shock, anger, shame, or even numbness, can flood the person for a long time after the event. Encourage the victim to seek counseling in order to help them process the feelings and help them achieve emotional recovery.
ASSISTING A STUDENT RAPED/SEXUALLY ASSAULTED OFF CAMPUS
A. If a student has been sexually assaulted off campus and it is within 72 hours (three days) of the assault, follow the previous steps.
B. If a student tells you about a past sexual assault or on-going sexual abuse, encourage him/her to seek confidential counseling through:
- The Manor College Counseling Center (ext. 279)
- Victim Services Center (610-277-5200)
- WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape: 215-985-3333)
- Her/his private therapist
C. If the student is reluctant to speak with a counselor, consult with the Manor College Counseling Department about the situation without mentioning the person’s name.
"date rape"
Date or acquaintance rape/sexual assault occurs with alarming frequency in situations where the persons involved know each other. College students are especially vulnerable. Education and prevention are key to staying safe.
What is sexual assault?
While the term “rape” is usually restricted to forced acts of sexual intercourse, sexual assault applies to any unwanted sexual contact. Remember, "no" means no. Sexual assault is a prosecutable crime. Set clear limits and respect the limits of others.
What makes people more vulnerable to sexual assault?
Drinking or using other drugs impairs good judgment, including judgment about sexual behavior. Intoxication makes people vulnerable to being victims of, and being accused of, sexual assault. “Date rape” drugs, such as Rohypnol and GHB, can be dropped unseen into a drink, causing blackout and memory loss. This makes drinking around others even more dangerous. It is very important not to leave any beverage unattended. If necessary, a get a new beverage, the cost will be cheap compared to possible consequences.
Being alone at parties without a few friends who watch out for each other can also increase vulnerability. Make plans to arrive together, leave together, and touch bases throughout the evening.
Seek out counseling
Sometimes, an incident of date rape/sexual assault between people who know or like each other is so emotionally confusing that the people involved are not sure if an assault has occurred. The professional counselors in the Manor College Counseling Center can help you understand your experience. Please come in for counseling if you suspect that you may have been the victim of a sexual assault, that you may have assaulted another person, or if you feel that you have been wrongly accused. It really does help to talk things through in confidence with an objective, professional counselor.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
- BUCKS COUNTY: NETWORK OF VICTIM ASSISTANCE (NOVA) Doylestown / 1-800-675-6900
- CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES (You do not have to be Catholic. Uses sliding scale.)
227 N. 18th Street / Philadelphia / (215) 587-3900
- CORA 733 Susquehanna Road / Philadelphia / (215) 342-7660
- CRIME VICTIMS CENTER OF CHESTER COUNTY West Chester / (610) 692-7273
- CRIME VICTIMS COUNCIL OF LEHIGH COUNTY Allentown / (610) 437-6611
- DELAWARE: WOMEN AGAINST RAPE Media / (610) 566-4342
- JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES (You do not have to be Jewish. Uses sliding scale.)
1610 Spruce St. / Philadelphia / (215) 496-9700
- PENNSYLVANIA CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION BOARD (215) 560-2745
- VICTIM SERVICES OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Norristown / (610) 277-5200 (24-hour HOTLINE)
- WOMEN IN TRANSITION (COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY FOR WOMEN)
21 South 12th St. / Philadelphia / (215) 564-5301
- WOMEN ORGANIZED AGAINST RAPE (WOAR)
1233 Locust St. / Philadelphia / (215) 985-3315 / HOTLINE: (215) 985-3333
- WOMEN’S THERAPY CENTER 1930 Chestnut St. / Philadelphia / (215) 567-1111
- WOMEN’S CENTER OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY (Also for victims of domestic violence.) Jenkintown (215) 885-5021 / Norristown (610) 279-1548 / Pottstown (610) 970-7363