Self Help - Sexual Assault

What To Do If You Have Been Sexually Assaulted:

          1. Go to a safe place and seek campus assistance through:

          University Health   ...........................448-5630

                    after 5:00 p.m.   .....................541-5654

          Student Mental Health   ...................448-5064

          Campus  Police         .........................448-4444

          Memphis Sexual Assault

                    Resource Center (MSARC)   ....272-2020

          If off campus -

                    Memphis Police Department   ...........911

          Nearest Emergency Room

          2. Do NOT take a shower, douche or change clothes.

          3. You must make an informed decision of whether or

               not to report the assault.

CONS

If you report a sexual assault to campus administration, UT Police or the Memphis Police Department, such a report will become public record.

PROS

          Reporting a sexual assault,

          • will allow the police to assist the victim in obtaining

          medical services.

          • assures the victim immediate safety.

          • allows the police to pursue the perpetrator more

             efficiently.

          • allows police to gather physical evidence from the

             assault

          • provides increased security for others on campus.

NOTE

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.

IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO REPORT THE INCIDENT:

SEVERAL OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO MEET YOUR MEDICAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS:

          • University Health Services can be of service by

           calling 448-5630 (day time) or

           541-5654 (evening/weekends).

          • Student Mental Health at 448-5064

          • Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center

           (MSARC) at 272-2020 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

          • Or you may choose to consult a private physician or

           go to an emergency department of your choice.

           However, emergency departments are required to

           report aggravated assaults.**

IF YOU CHOOSE TO REPORT A SEXUAL ASSAULT:

Call UT Police who will assist in providing security for the victim, will contact Student Mental Health and make arrangements to be seen at the MSARC.

A sexual assault victim should seek medical treatment and/or counseling to

          •         minimize emotional and physical trauma

          •         facilitate collection of evidence

          •         test for sexually transmitted diseases

          •         obtain treatment of possible injuries

          •         provide a pregnancy prophylaxis if desired

          Services provided through MSARC

          •         emotional, legal and medical support

          •         collection of physical and material evidence

          •         emotional support to family members

          •         equitable access to the criminal justice system

          •         court escort service

Student Mental Health Services can provide emotional support for the victim as well as maintain confidentiality. 

Medical and psychological follow-up is available as long as needed.

**An aggravated assault is defined as a sexual assault involving a weapon.