Western Carolina University

What Should I Do?

• Find a safe environment — anywhere away from the attacker. Ask a trusted friend to stay with you for moral support.
• For immediate medical attention, go to the University Health Services(828.227.7640) for testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and if appropriate, Plan B emergency contraception.
• Counseling and Psychological Services(828.227.7469) is available for assessment and counseling options.
• If you need help addressing academic issues as a result of the sexual assault, please see the Office of Student Affairs at 828.227.7234.
• The Department of Student Community Ethics (DSCE) can also be a resource (828.227.7234) if your attacker is a student.
• Know that what happened was not your fault and that now you should do what is best for you.
• If you want to report the assault to the police, evidence of the assault must be collected.
  • Report the attack to police by calling 911.
  • Preserve evidence of the attack - don't bathe or brush your teeth.
  • Write down all the details you can recall about the attack & the attacker.
  • Ask the hospital to conduct a rape kit exam to preserve forensic evidence.
  • If you suspect you were drugged, ask that a urine sample be collected. The sample will need to be analyzed later on by a forensic lab.

·         Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, operated by RAINN, for free, confidential counseling, 24 hours a day: 1.800.656.HOPE or the REACH of Macon County (now serving Jackson County) Crisis Line at 828.369.5544.

• Recognize that healing from rape takes time. Give yourself the time you need.
• Know that it's never too late to call. Even if the attack happened years ago, the National Sexual Assault Hotline or the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline can still help. Many victims do not realize they need help until months or years later.

(for more information:  http://rainn.org/get-information/legal-information)