What To Do If

 

Sexual Assault

If the incident occurred within the last 24 to 120 hours: 

  1. Get to a safe place as soon as possible and contact someone you trust.
  2. Consider getting medical attention. You may have hidden injuries and may want to explore options for preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
  3. Consider requesting a SART (Suspected Abuse Response Team) Exam. The medical forensic exam provides survivors of sexual assault with medical care and evidence collection. If you are unsure if you want to report the assault, you can still collect the evidence for a future case. You can request a SART exam from the police or hospital. Remember you always have the right to a confidential advocate.
    • Try to preserve all evidence of the assault. If you feel comfortable, avoid drinking, bathing, showering, douching, brushing your teeth, or changing your clothes. These activities may alter physical evidence if you decide to receive a medical forensic exam, which can collect DNA in the case that you decide to report the police. It’s also okay if you have already done any of the listed activities - there is still a way to collect evidence if you decide you want a medical forensic exam.
    • If you think you were drugged or consumed a sedative-like substance, ask the medical provider to take a urine sample. "Date rape drugs" like GHB and Rohypnol are more likely to be detected in urine than in blood. If you still have remnants of the drink, save them for analysis.

 

Get in touch with an advocate if you would like additional help with safety planning, information, guidance on reporting, accompaniments to medical exams or law enforcement, academic or housing accommodations, and connection to resources on campus and in the community

  • Schedule an appointment with the Campus Advocate
  • Waymakers | 24 Hour Hotline (714) 957- 2737
  • Write down everything you remember as detailed as possible. This can help with your own healing process and in any legal action you might decide to take. This may include a physical description of the perpetrator, their identity if you know it, and the use of threats or force.

 

DV

What can I do if I'm in an abusive relationship?

  • You have the right to live without fear and violence.
  • Talk to someone you trust. You deserve to be heard & believed.
  • If you decide to leave the relationship, you can develop a safety plan with an Advocate.
  • If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. When the police arrive, you can ask for an Emergency Protective Order (EPO). An EPO can be issued by the police 24 hours a day. This order serves as immediate protection from the abuser. If the abuser violates this order, they may be arrested. Calling the police each time the EPO is violated may help you in the process of getting a more permanent protection order. This order is good for 5-7 days, which allows you time to file a request for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order.

How do I get out of an abusive relationship? What can I do after I leave?

  • Change your phone number and/or screen all of your calls.
  • Trust your instincts.
  • Save and document all contacts, messages, injuries or other incidents involving interaction with the abuser.
  • Change locks at your home and to your vehicle.
  • Avoid staying alone.
  • Plan how to get away if confronted by an abusive partner.
  • If you have to meet your partner, do so in a public place with a family member or friend nearby or present. Know your exit routes.
  • Vary your routines.
  • Notify school and those you work with, so if they see the abuser they can make an emergency call on your behalf.
  • Consider applying for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. The Campus Advocate can assist in this process.

 

Get in touch with an advocate on-campus or in the community if you would like additional help with safety planning, information, guidance on reporting, accompaniments to medical exams or law enforcement, academic or housing accommodations, and connection to resources on campus and in the community

  • Schedule an appointment with the Campus Advocate
  • Laura’s House | 24 Hour Hotline (866) 498-1511
  • WTLC: 24 Hour Hotline: (877) 531-5522
  • Human Options: 24 Hour Hotline (877) 854-3594

 

Stalking

What Do I Do If I'm Being Stalked?

  • If possible, have a phone nearby at all times, preferably one to which the stalker has never had access.
  • Treat all threats with the same regard and report them to law enforcement.
  • Vary your routine. Take different routes to work or school, go to different stores, etc.
  • Try to travel with others and stay in groups when out.
  • Get an unlisted phone number. If possible, keep your old number connected to a voicemail or answering machine and save all messages left by the stalker/abuser. Please note, smart phones can be used as a means of stalking by an abuser.
  • Do not interact with the person stalking or harassing you.
  • Consider obtaining a protective order against the stalker.
  • Keep a log of all incidents of stalking including: date/time of behavior, what the behavior was, and the names of any witnesses. Retain copies of any texts, messages or emails received from the stalker. Also, when possible, take pictures of the stalking behavior as part of your records. These can be incredibly important to prosecution.
  • If you are being followed or are fearful for your immediate safety, consider going to a police station, fire station, emergency room—public areas may deter the stalking behavior.
  • For escort services from your vehicle to class, contact University Police Department: (657) 278-2515

 

Safety Planning

A safety plan is a set of steps you can take to stay safe in a given situation. Different safety plans can be created depending on if you are in a relationship with the person harassing or abusing you, if you have already left the relationship, or if they are a stranger. These tips can also be used if you are a victim of stalking. Each person’s situation is unique, and safety plans look different for everyone.

 

Make an appointment with the Campus Advocate to create a safety plan.

For after-hours support, contact:

  • Sexual Assault | Waymakers | 24 Hour Hotline 714.957.2737
  • Domestic Violence | Laura’s House | 24 Hour Hotline 866.498.1511

 

Safety planning tips if you are in an abusive relationship or preparing to leave:

  • Leaving the relationship is difficult, so it is important that you are making decisions that make you feel the most safe in the moment:
    • Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs. Avoid rooms with no exits (i.e. bathroom with small or no windows) or rooms with weapons (i.e. kitchen with sharp knives). If you feel unsafe on campus, go to public areas, like dining halls or the University Union.
    • Make a list of people to contact if violence occurs, or if it's looking like violence will occur soon.
    • Keep clothing and important personal belongings at the house of someone you trust.
    • Make an extra key to the car and the house; leave them in a secure, secret place.
    • Save money to use for an emergency escape.
    • Keep or memorize a list of emergency phone numbers.
    • Establish a “code word” or “sign” so that family, friends, teachers, or co-workers know when to call for help.
    • Gather important paperwork (this may include things like social security cards, birth certificates, marriage license, leases or deeds in both you or your partners names, checkbook and charge cards, bank statements and charge account statements, insurance policies, proof of income for you or your partner such as pay stubs or W-2’s, any documentation of past incidents of abuse including photos, police reports, medical records, etc).
    • Plan for pets. Can they stay with a friend or family member?

 

Safety planning tips if you have already left the relationship:

  • Screen your calls.
  • Save and document all contacts, messages, inquiries or other incidents involving your ex-partner.
  • Change locks if the ex-partner has a key.
  • Avoid staying alone.
  • Plan how to get away if confronted by your ex-partner. If there are places on campus where you often run into your ex-partner, try and avoid these places and think of safe routes to all of your classes.
  • If there are places on campus where you must go and you think your ex-partner may be, make sure a friend can go with you.
  • If you have to meet your ex-partner, do so in a public place, like dining halls or the University Union
  • Vary your routine. Know the safest ways for you to leave your dorm, house, or class in the case of an emergency.
  • Contact your Campus Advocate if you need help staying safe on campus. They can assist with supportive measures, temporary housing, and other security accommodations you may need - like escort services, or courtesy check-ins.
  • Ask about your court records and data. Have the court restrict access to forms that might have your address or personal information on them.
  • Get a P.O. Box and do not give out your real address