Sexual Assault Information and Resources
Click on the topic links below for information and access to where you can learn more:
|
As defined by the Stop Abuse website, sexual assault is "a broad term that encompasses any forcible sexual activity that occurs without the victim's consent. This conduct can include unwanted kissing and fondling, forcible vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse, and/or forcible penetration with an object or a finger." The Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley reminds us that anyone may be the victim of sexual assault. To access more information on sexual assault, including Acquaintance Sexual Assault, Stranger Sexual Assault, Marital Sexual Assault, Male Sexual Assault, Child Sexual Assault, and Elder Sexual Assault, please click here to access the sexual violence portion of their website.
Virginia Tech's Policy on Sexual Assault
Click here to read Virginia Tech's position on sexual misconduct (Section V.O. of the University Policy on Student Life). An abbreviated, "plain English" version can be found at http://www.judicial.vt.edu/english.php.
The Women's Resource Center of the NRV has compiled a short list of common myths of sexual assault (click here to read the myths). Below are the facts:
Common Questions Asked by Victims of Sexual Assault
Following are some of the commonly asked questions that survivors of sexual assault often have. Some of these questions are particularly of concern to college students. The Women's Resource Center and Stop Abuse websites offer detailed responses to these questions.
After a sexual assault you are strongly encouraged to seek medical attention. You may have sustained injuries that need immediate treatment. Also of concern are sexually-transmitted diseases and, for women, pregnancy. You are also encouraged to act in a timely manner so that evidence can be collected should you choose to file a report with authorities. Support is available to you, so you do not have to go through this alone. For a list of resources in the area that are in place to provide you the services and support you need, please click here.
Counseling
Seeking support through counseling is not the same as filing charges. Whether or not you chose to report a sexual assault to the authorities, you can always talk to a counselor about your experiences and feelings. There are many options available to you, both on- and off-campus. On campus, you can contact the Women's Center at 231-7806 and Cook Counseling Center at 231-6557. Off campus, you can contact the Women's Resources Center of the New River Valley at 639-1123 for counseling services. You do not have to survive this alone!
Legal and Judicial Options
If you wish to press charges against the perpetrator of a sexual assault, you have several options available to you, including pressing charges through the criminal justice system, making a civil claim, or if the perpetrator is a Virginia Tech student, filing a judicial claim with the Office of Judicial Affairs. You may also file an anonymous report with one of several on- and off-campus agencies, including the Student Life and Advocacy Office, Schiffert Health Center, Cook Counseling Center, Student Legal Services, the Office of Student Programs, the Office for Equal Opportunity, the Women's Center, the Women's Resource Center of the NRV, Planned Parenthood of the NRV, the Virginia Tech Police, and the Blacksburg Police Department.
The Stop Abuse website provides more detailed information about your various reporting options. Click here to go to their website, then click on "Sexual Assault" for a review of Legal and Judicial Options. You may also "Report an Incident" via this website, either by using an anonymous report form or an official claim report form.
Remember, if you chose to file a report you do not have to go through the process alone. Support is available to you!
Helping a Friend Who Has Survived Sexual Assault
Here are some important things to keep in mind when supporting a friend or family member who has been the victim of sexual assault (adapted from the Women's Resource Center of the NRV).
The Women's Resource Center, the Virginia Tech Women's Center, and Cook Counseling Center are all resources available to you and they will help you to provide support to your friend or family member.
On-campus and Off-campus Resources
| Women's Center at VT | The WC provides counseling and advocacy services, as well as educational programming and outreach. Trained counselors are available to provide support, information, and referrals. | 231-7806 |
| Cook Counseling Center | If you have been sexually assaulted, a counselor at Cook Counseling Center can help you work through your feelings about the assault. | 231-6557
(8am-5pm) 231-6444 (5pm-8am) |
| Women's Resource Center of the NRV | The WRC provides programs and services to adult and child victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. | 639-1123
(24-hour hotline) 639-9592 (office) |
| Schiffert Health Center | You can receive medical services at the campus health center. An after hours on-call system is also available. | 231-6444 (24-hours) |
| NRV Medical Center ER | Medical services. | 731-2000 (ER) |
| Montgomery Regional Hospital ER | Medical services. | 953-5122 (ER) |
| Virginia Tech Police | Responsible for maintaining the safety and well-being of the VT community. They offer crime prevention services, including an escort service and the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) program. | 911 (emergency,
on-campus) 231-6411 (office) |
| Blacksburg Police | Law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining the safety of the Blacksburg community. | 911 (emergency,
off-campus) 961-1150 (office) |
| Office of Judicial Affairs/Student Programs | Striving to help create a fair, just, and disciplined university community. | 231-3790 |
| Student Life and Advocacy | Creates a campus climate that promotes development of students by offering support and challenge. Offers a first line of response for parents and students in addressing issues in all areas of student life. | 231-3787 |
| Office for Equal Opportunity | In addition to their compliance activities, the OEO assists with programs dealing with issues of concern to women and minorities, and serves in an advisory capacity by acting as liaison to women's and minority groups on campus. | 231-7500 |
Web-Based Resources (provided by VT Stop Abuse)
The following section on special concerns is adapted from Virginia Tech's Stop Abuse Survivor's Guide. While all survivors need support and assistance, we are sensitive to the fact that some may have additional concerns. This section addresses the needs of those who may find themselves in need of extra assistance or have additional questions.
Everyone reacts differently to trauma and the resulting emotions are varied. Responses may be immediate or delayed, and trauma can have long lasting effects. Reactions and emotions you may experience after a sexual assault include:
|
|
Most survivors of sexual assault experience one or more of the above reactions and/or emotions. However, some may find themselves having additional concerns which may make them reluctant to seek medical treatment, contact law enforcement, or get counseling.
If you are a male sexual assault survivor it may never have occurred to you that men are also victims of sexual assault. But men are sexually assaulted, and the experience is devastating regardless of gender. You may suddenly find yourself struggling with concerns about your masculinity and/or sexuality. You may also feel a sense of responsibility being a man, but please know that sexual assault is never the responsibility of the survivor. You have done nothing wrong! There is support available for you through the Women's Center and the Women's Resource Center of the NRV. If you would prefer to talk with another man, you can also contact Cook Counseling Center.
If you are a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender survivor, you may have additional fears related to your sexual orientation or expression. These concerns may be related to the assault itself or about how you will be treated by professionals. You are not required to disclose information about your sexuality, and what's more, you have the right to nonjudgmental services. Please know there is support available for you through the Women's Center and the Women's Resource Center of the NRV.
If you are a survivor with a disability, you may feel a heightened sense of vulnerability around accessing services. You may find that people who are supposed to help you treat you as if you are helpless. This is related to the misconceptions people have about disabilities. But you are entitled to the same care and concern as anyone else. Help is available for you through the Women's Center or the Women's Resource Center of the NRV. The Women's Resource Center is TTY accessible. You may also want to contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 231-3788 for further assistance.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault and a member of a minority group, you may have experienced racism and prejudice which may in turn make you reluctant to seek help for fear of how you will be treated. You may feel a sense of distrust of the legal system. You may be afraid to press charges against a member of your own racial or ethnic group for fear of perpetuating negative stereotypes. There may be cultural barriers to talking about sexual assault, or you may be fearful that you will shame your family. Your fluency and comfort speaking English may affect your comfort level in making a report. Talking about this subject may be culturally taboo for you. Please know the assault was not your fault and you have the right to talk to someone and ask for help. You are encouraged to contact the Virginia Tech Women's Center or the Women's Resource Center of the NRV for support and assistance.
If you are a survivor who is not a U.S. citizen, you may be concerned about seeking services or filing a report. Your fluency and comfort speaking English may make you reluctant to get help. It is important that you know you are entitled to receive treatment for medical injuries. The information that you give the medical facility is confidential. You are entitled to make a police report and bring your assailant to trial regardless of your citizenship status. You are entitled to an interpreter. The assault was not your fault and there is support and assistance available to you. Please contact the Women's Center or the Women's Resource Center of the NRV. You may also want to contact the Cranwell International Center at 231-6527 for additional assistance.
Return
to
Women's Safety
Mainpage
| Sexual Assault | Relationship Violence | Stalking | Sexual Harassment | Student Support Resources | Getting Involved to End Violence Against Women |