Seek medical
attention.
If the assault occurred within 72-hours: Receiving medical
attention is important immediately after an assault
regardless of whether you decide to report the assault to the
police or follow through with the charges. Medical attention
will determine the presence of physical injury, sexually
transmitted infections, and pregnancy.
Hospital personnel are prepared to conduct a standardized
medical exam known as a "rape protocol exam." This
exam ensures relevant evidence is collected and certain
observations are recorded. The cost of the exam is covered by
special government state funds set aside for crime victims or
through the office of the Coordinator for Personal Health
Programs and Community Well-Being. If you go to the hospital
before calling police, the hospital is required to contact
law enforcement. However, you are not required to file a
report (or even speak with the police) when they arrive at
the hospital. Questions regarding the rape protocol exam and
state assistance can be directed to Elon?s Office of Personal
Health Programs and Community Well-Being at x7200 or
lroyster@elon.edu.
The hospital should also call CrossRoads Sexual Assault
Crisis and Response Center and a volunteer advocate should
arrive at the hospital to support the survivor throughout the
exam. Follow-up services include security matters (lock
change, room change, phone number change, etc.), academic
assistance, advocacy through the criminal justice system,
Elon?s judicial process, support groups, and other
specialized services. All of these services are
confidential.
If the assault occurred more than 72-hours ago: Many
survivors of sexual assault do not come forward until days,
weeks, months, or even years after the assault. If the
assault occurred more than 72 hours ago, all of the same
procedures apply with the EXCEPTION of the necessity to go to
the hospital for evidence collection (rape protocol exam.)
You should still report the assault to the police and go to a
medical center to check for internal injuries, sexually
transmitted infections, and pregnancy. The type and extent of
police involvement, medical exam, and counseling will depend
on the amount of time that has lapsed since the
assault.
Reasons To Report the Assault:
Reporting the crime helps you to regain a sense of personal
power and control. Reporting assists you in accessing
specialized medical care. Reporting helps preserve evidence
which could be valuable if you decide later to prosecute.
Reporting helps you to resolve concerns about personal safety
and security. Reporting does not mean prosecution is certain,
but if pursued later, the first steps have been taken.
Seek emotional
support and legal assistance.
The Coordinator for
Personal Health Programs and Community Well-Being is
available to provide support, information, advocacy, and
referrals. No matter when the assault occurred, you can
contact this office for support and assistance. If you were
sexually assaulted recently or some time ago, you may be
experiencing a wide range of feelings, shock, fear,
disbelief, outrage, confusion, sadness, despair, and anger.
All of these feelings are normal and valid. You may find that
you are not trusting people, or notice that you don?t have as
much confidence in yourself as you did before the assault.
With time, information, and with support, these feelings and
experiences will subside. Rape causes a great deal of
disorganization in your life. It often helps to talk to
someone, particularly someone who can share resources in the
community and help you work through the feelings you are
experiencing. If you or someone you know has been sexually
assaulted, the Coordinator for Personal Health Programs and
Community Well-Being (Leigh-Anne Royster) can offer immediate
access to information, emotional support and referrals to a
full range of services. She can provide assistance at the
hospital, at the police station or court, and with counseling
if you wish. Leigh-Anne Royster can help you with a plan for
achieving your goals within the Elon community especially if
the offender is someone on campus. Whether the assault
occurred today or years ago, services from Royster?s office
are for anyone who has experienced a sexual assault or rape.
CrossRoads
Sexual Assault Response and Resource Center is available
to all Elon students as well.
