Get Help
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted:
- Get to a safe place as soon as you can.
- Try to preserve all physical evidence. Do not wash, use the toilet, or change clothes. Put all clothing you were wearing at the time of the attack in a paper bag, not plastic.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible. A medical examination will provide any necessary treatment and collect important evidence. Injuries may not be immediately apparent.
- Contact University Police or the local police by calling 911. On campus, a blue light emergency phone will connect you directly with the University Police dispatcher.
- Talk with a counselor who will maintain confidentiality, help explain your options, give you information, and provide emotional support. On campus, you can call Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at (804) 289-8119. When the CAPS office is closed, a University counselor is on-call and may be reached through the University Police dispatcher at (804) 289-8715 (you only need to indicate that you would like to speak with the counselor on call). An off campus local option is through the YWCA 24-hour Crisis Hotline at (804) 643-0888. Lastly, the Richmond College and Westhampton College Dean's Offices are also recources for you. An Area Coordinator can be reached at any time by calling the University Police dispatcher or asking your RA.
- Contact someone you trust, such as a close friend, to be with you and support you.
- Let the University know about your attack. You may do this by speaking with someone in your Dean's Office. Chances are this attack will effect you in many ways, including academically. We will explore your options with you, which may include helping to make changes to your living or academic situations.
Past Abuse
Many individuals experience sexual assault and don’t tell anyone about it at the time of the incident. If you were victimized weeks ago or even years ago, assistance is still available. Talking with someone now may help you cope better with abuse from the past, whether it was rape, child sexual abuse, incest, or sexual harassment.
Male Victims
While most victims of sexual assault are women, men are also victims. Male victims at the University can receive the same services as women. Emotional support, options counseling, and medical treatment are available to assist those individuals recovering from sexual assault.
Medical Treatment
It is important to seek immediate and follow-up medical attention for several reasons:
- To assess and treat any physical injuries you may have sustained.
- To determine the risk of sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy and take appropriate medical measures.
- To gather evidence that may aid criminal prosecution.
Physical evidence should be collected immediately - ideally within the first 24 hours. It may be collected later than this, but the quality and quantity of evidence may be diminished.
Immediate Emergency Services
A special hospital exam (PERK: Physical Evidence Recovery Kit) can be performed by an emergency department. University students can receive the exam at St. Mary’s Hospital or Henrico Doctor’s Hospital. The hospital emergency departments follow national standards for victim care, rape exams, and evidence collection procedures. As long as you do not present your insurance card and are at least 18 years of age, your parents will not be notified. You may be billed for treatment; however, you may be able to receive financial assistance from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.When you go to the hospital, a PERK can be performed even if you are unsure whether you want to report the assault to the police and want time to think about it. Evidence can only be collected within 72 hours of the assault.
Transportation
The University Police are available to transport sexual assault victims to the hospital if necessary. To arrange transportation, call the University Police dispatcher at (804) 289-8715 and indicate your need for immediate assistance.
Non-Emergency Medical Procedures
Even if you choose not to have a hospital exam, it is still important to get medical attention. An exam in this case will include treatment of any physical problems and lab tests for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. This non-emergency treatment can be arranged on campus by calling the Student Health Center at (804) 289-8064 and making an appointment.
Reporting to University Police
Reporting an incident is a separate step from choosing to prosecute. When you file a report, you are not obligated to continue with legal proceedings or University disciplinary action. Immediately following an incident, call the University Police emergency number, 911. To report an incident at a later date, call the University Police at (804) 289-8715.
Reporting to the University Police helps:
- Protect yourself and others from future victimization.
- Apprehend the assailant.
- Maintain future options regarding criminal prosecution, University judicial action, and/or civil action against the perpetrator.
When you report the incident, a University Police officer will take a statement from you regarding what happened. You will be asked to identify or describe the alleged assailant(s). You may be asked questions about the scene of the crime, any witnesses, and what happened before and after the incident.
The University Police will take a written report, which will be important to you in case you wish to bring charges, immediately or at a later date. You can request that your identity be kept confidential.
Criminal Investigation and Charges
If you want to pursue criminal charges after a sexual assault, University Police will assist you. The case itself will come under the jurisdiction of the courts of either Henrico County or the City of Richmond, depending on the location of the crime.
If apprehended, the suspect will be taken to court by police and charged with the appropriate offenses at a preliminary arraignment. The assailant may be jailed or released on bail, depending upon the circumstances of the crime. If you are contacted by the assailant after charges have been filed, or feel threatened in any way, you should call the University Police immediately. Bail can be revoked and additional charges can be filed if necessary.
A lawyer from the Commonwealth Attorney’s office will handle the criminal proceedings. You may also wish to speak with your personal or family attorney for legal advice.
University Judicial Action
If you are considering University action after a sexual assault, you are encouraged to consult a Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) counselor. This will allow you a chance to review procedures followed by the University’s judicial system. This discussion does not obligate you to pursue official action.
If you have been sexually assaulted by a non-student University employee, this is a violation of the law and University policy. Complaints should be filed with the University's Police Department. The CAPS staff is also available for consultation.
Counseling and Emotional Support
On-Campus
You may reach a Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) counselor at (804) 289-8119 during regular office hours. The CAPS staff also maintains an on-call schedule for emergencies and may be reached through the University Police dispatcher at (804)289-8715. Counselors in this office are available to assist in a crisis situation and to provide you with any information about your options including medical assistance, psychological counseling, University judcial action, and legal prosecution.
These counselors can provide safe, confidential support for you during this difficult period. They can inform you of common reactions to crisis situations and discuss coping methods that may assist you immediately following the assault and later.
Talking about your concerns with one of these counselors may help you sort through feelings and decide what to do.
You do not need to disclose your name if you call CAPS for information. Counselors will not reveal your identity to anyone without your permission.
Off-Campus
The YWCA maintains a 24-hour Crisis Hotline at (804) 643-0888. Trained volunteer counselors can provide information and confidential options counseling to those who have been sexually assaulted. The YWCA also provides support groups for survivors of sexual assault.
Crime victim and witnesses role in the criminal justice process can be a difficult one. The police department’s Victim/Witness Coordinator serves as a liaison between the City of Richmond and the County of Henrico courts systems. In addition, the Coordinator secures services for victims and witnesses of crimes, such as counseling and psychological support, guides victims or witnesses to area resources, and helps them through the court process. Any faculty, staff, or student can use this service. The Victim/Witness Coordinator is available by dialing University Police at (804) 289-8715, ask for Adrienne Meador Murray.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) - (804) 289-8119
YWCA Crisis Center (24 hours) - (804) 643-0888