Steps To Take Following A Sexual Assault | Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct

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at the <a href="https://health.umd.edu/behavioral-health">University Health Center</a>, can help you make decisions about what to do. Whether you decide to go to law enforcement or not, it is important to take care of your own emotional needs. Professional counseling may be beneficial.</p><h2>Preserve Evidence</h2><p>If possible, consider taking steps to preserve physical evidence - on the body and at the location of an assault. It is important not to shower or bathe, eat or drink, brush teeth or gargle, change clothes, urinate or defecate, brush or comb hair, or smoke. Clothing worn at the time of an assault should not be washed but placed in a paper bag “as is” and brought to the hospital. In order to avoid forgetting important details, write down the facts about the accused and the assault.</p><h2>Seek Medical Attention</h2><p>It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. A medical examination will ensure appropriate medical treatment, including testing for pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. Individuals who experience sexual assault can access a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) within 72 hours of an assault. Each Maryland county has a hospital that provides SAFE exams. A SAFE exam is available at <a href="https://www.umms.org/capital/health-services/domestic-violence-sexual-assault">UM Capital Region Medical Center</a>. To find a SAFE provider in other counties, call <a href="tel:+18006564653">1 (800) 656-4653</a>. SAFE exams and attention to medical needs are available without having to reveal a person’s identity to the police.</p><h5>The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center (DV/SAC) at University of Maryland (UM) Capital Region Medical Center:<br><strong>Help Hotline Phone:</strong> <a href="tel:2406772337">(240) 677-2337</a> (24-hour Hotline) or 24-hours/7 days a week</h5><h5><span lang="EN">For more information about the DV/SAC, please visit the </span><a href="https://ocrsm.umd.edu/off-campus-confidential-resources"><span lang="EN">Off-Campus Confidential Resources</span></a><span lang="EN"> page.</span></h5> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_button_set"> <div class="btn-set" id="umd_terp_paragraph--831"> <a href="https://www.umms.org/capital/health-services/domestic-violence-sexual-assault" class="btn btn-primary" target="_self"> DV/SAC (UM Capital Region Medical Center Website) </a> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_text"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--832"> <h5><a href="https://www.umpd.umd.edu/">University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD)</a></h5><p>UMPD will assist Complainants with a police escort to the hospital in notifying other law enforcement authorities in other jurisdictions, as appropriate.</p><ul><li>To report to UMPD, please call <a href="tel:3014053333">(301) 405-3333</a> or <a href="tel:911">911</a>.</li><li>Non-Emergency Phone: <a href="tel:3014053555">(301) 405-3555</a></li><li>Mobile Phone: #3333</li></ul><p>Regardless of where the incident occurred, <strong>call </strong><a href="tel:911"><strong>911</strong></a><strong> in an emergency</strong>.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_accordion"> <div class="accordion" id="accordion-974">  <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="accordion-974-header-16"> <button class="btn" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#accordion-974-content-16" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="accordion-974-content-16"> Get to a Safe Place and Seek Emotional Support </button> </div> <div id="accordion-974-content-16" class="collapse" aria-labelledby="accordion-974-header-16" > <div class="card-body"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--968"> <p>Talking with a trusted friend or relative or someone who is professionally trained to deal with sexual assault, such as a confidential <a href="https://health.umd.edu/CARE">CARE</a> advocate or mental health professional at the <a href="https://health.umd.edu/behavioral-health">University Health Center</a>, can help you make decisions about what to do. Whether you decide to go to law enforcement or not, it is important to take care of your own emotional needs. Professional counseling may be beneficial.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="accordion-974-header-17"> <button class="btn" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#accordion-974-content-17" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="accordion-974-content-17"> Preserve Evidence </button> </div> <div id="accordion-974-content-17" class="collapse" aria-labelledby="accordion-974-header-17" > <div class="card-body"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--970"> <p>If possible, consider taking steps to preserve physical evidence - on the body and at the location of an assault. It is important not to shower or bathe, eat or drink, brush teeth or gargle, change clothes, urinate or defecate, brush or comb hair, or smoke. Clothing worn at the time of an assault should not be washed but placed in a paper bag “as is” and brought to the hospital. In order to avoid forgetting important details, write down the facts about the accused and the assault.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="accordion-974-header-18"> <button class="btn" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#accordion-974-content-18" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="accordion-974-content-18"> Seek Medical Attention </button> </div> <div id="accordion-974-content-18" class="collapse" aria-labelledby="accordion-974-header-18" > <div class="card-body"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--972"> <p>It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.  A medical examination will ensure appropriate medical treatment, including testing for pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. Individuals who experience sexual assault can access a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) within 72 hours of an assault. Each Maryland county has a hospital that provides SAFE exams. A SAFE exam is available at <a href="https://www.umms.org/capital/health-services/domestic-violence-sexual-assault">UM Capital Region Medical Center</a>. To find a SAFE provider in other counties, call <a href="tel:+18006564653">1 (800) 656-4653</a>. SAFE exams and attention to medical needs are available without having to reveal a person’s identity to the police.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_button_set"> <div class="btn-set" id="umd_terp_paragraph--1289"> <a href="/sites/default/files/2021-04/sexual_harrassment_other_sexual_misconduct_process.pdf" class="btn btn-primary" target="_self"> View the diagram of the Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct Process </a> </div> </div>     <style type="text/css"> .site-footer-legal { padding-bottom: 4.5em; } .escape { background: #ffd200; border-radius: 5px 5px 0 0; box-shadow: 0px 0px 3px 0px #222222; display: block; padding: 0.5em; position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 1em; z-index: 999999999; } .escape .btn { background: #ffffff; } </style> <div class="escape"> <a class="btn btn-dark" href="https://www.google.com/">Quick Exit</a> </div>  </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer class="site-footer" aria-label="Main"> <div class="site-footer-main"> <div class="max-bound"> <nav class="site-footer-nav" aria-label="Footer"> <ul> <li> <a href="/title-ix-non-discrimination-notice" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66">Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice</a> </li> <li> <a href="tel:+13014051142">Call Us at 301-405-1142</a> </li> <li> <a href="/contact" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/85">Contact Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/file-report" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/82">File a Report Securely</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="site-footer-about"> <div class="site-footer-logo"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2020-06/ocrsm-logo-dark.png" alt="Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct footer logo"> </div> <div class="site-footer-address"> <strong>Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct </strong><br> <span>4200 Lehigh Rd, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742</span><br> <a aria-label="3014051142" href="tel:+3014051142">301-405-1142</a> <span aria-hidden="true"> · </span> <a href="mailto:titleIXcoordinator@umd.edu">titleIXcoordinator@umd.edu</a> </div> <div class="site-footer-social"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://twitter.com/UofMaryland" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Twitter</span> <span class="icon icon-twitter" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UMDOCRSM" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Facebook</span> <span class="icon icon-facebook" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/univofmaryland" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Instagram</span> <span class="icon icon-instagram" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/UMD2101" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Youtube</span> <span class="icon icon-youtube" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-maryland/" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our LinkedIn</span> <span class="icon icon-linkedin" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="site-footer-legal"> <div class="max-bound"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.umd.edu/information-visitors-parents-and-families">Information for Visitors</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.umd.edu/faqs-heoaconsumer-information">FAQ's</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.umd.edu/contact-us">Contact Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.ejobs.umd.edu/">Careers</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ocrsm.umd.edu/">Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.umpd.umd.edu/">UMD Police Department</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.umd.edu/web-accessibility">Accessibility</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.umd.edu/policies-and-procedures">Policies & Procedures</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.umd.edu/administration/public-information-request">Public Records Request</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </footer> <a href="#" class="back-to-top">Back to Top</a> </div> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/68","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"f2762a197791fe0f325d80ebdc66b38dd8fce4d1d00757441218cf299adcee1e"}}</script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_h6y_5VN7H7m8OcDybAw4_tydysVlWkht1UYNnlLq5W4.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=umd_terp&include=eJwrzU2JL0ktKtBPz8lPSszRKQXyi5Mz8vNzyjNTUuMzUhNTUov0QaIQJgDTjxMI"></script> <script src="https://umd-header.umd.edu/build/bundle.js?search=1&search_domain=&events=0&news=0&schools=0&admissions=0&support=1&support_url=&wrapper=1100&sticky=0"></script> </body> </html>

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Steps To Take Following A Sexual Assault | Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct