1. When you are made aware of a sexual assault, your first responsibility is ALWAYS to ensure the immediate safety of the student. *The length of time between the disclosure and the sexual assault does not matter.*

2. Once the student is safe: It is important to remember that your role is NOT to assess or define the assault, or to determine whether or not the assault actually occurred. Your primary responsibility is to remain supportive of victims, while referring the student to campus or community agencies that are trained in providing assistance and intervention for survivors of sexual violence.

3. You do not have to have all of the answers. If someone is disclosing to you, it typically means that you are someone they trust and often times they just want to be heard. Don’t be afraid to tell them that you don’t know the answers, and use that as a point of referral. It is not your responsibility to “fix” the problem.

4. While you are not expected to act as a counselor, when you are present with someone who has been assaulted, be aware that the supportiveness of your response can be critical in the healing process. Though there is not one “right” way to respond to someone who has been sexually assaulted, the following may serve as a guide in identifying more or less helpful responses.

HELPFUL RESPONSES:

Listen without interrupting. Encourage the student to take his/her time, if necessary.
Don’t panic. Remain calm and concerned.
Respect the language the student uses to identify what’s happened.
Understand that individuals from different cultural backgrounds may express or experience their reactions to an assault in different ways.
Allow for tears and expression of feelings.
Validate the student’s experiences or reactions.
Believe and support the student.
Acknowledge courage and discomfort.
Remind the student that s/he is not at a fault.
Encourage the student to seek medical attention and/or counseling, however, respect the student’s choices if they do not wish to do so.
Allow the student to make his/her own decisions.
Ask what you can do to be supportive.
Provide resources and options.

UNHELPFUL RESPONSES:

· Asking “why” questions or other questions that might imply blame.

(i.e. “Why didn’t you yell?” or “What were you doing there?”)

· Blaming or judging the student’s actions.

(i.e. “You shouldn’t have had so much to drink.”)

· Dismissing the student’s feelings or minimizing his/her experience.

(i.e. “You should try to just forget about it.”)

· Trying to “fix” the problem.

(i.e. pressuring them to report and/or telling them what to do)

Above all, do no harm. Sometimes, when individuals feel overwhelmed by hearing someone's story, people feel "pressured" to do something. When this occurs, people may unintentionally say things that can be hurtful. You don't have to say anything.

HOW TO MAKE A REFERRAL:

An important part of being helpful to a survivor of a sexual assault is providing information about options and resources. You may do this by helping the student get connected with one or more of the resources listed below. Some examples of ways to facilitate a referral for a survivor of sexual assault are provided below:

"I am here to listen and support you, but it would also be helpful for you to talk to someone who has specialized knowledge in this area.”
"Even if you don’t know what you want to do right now, it can be helpful to talk to someone about your options.”
"I would be happy to go with you to talk to someone.”
"What would make it feel safe for you to go talk to someone?”

CAMPUS RESOURCES

Counseling Center

Campus Against Violence Program

Contact: Dr. Kathleen Scott

Guerrieri University Center, Room 263

Hours: 8:00AM-5:00PM

Phone: 410.543.6070

Website: www.salisbury.edu/counseling/cav

Student Health Services

Holloway Hall 180

Hours: 8:30AM-4:30PM

Phone: 410.543.6262

Website: www.salisbury.edu/health

University Police

Corner of Wayne and Power Street

Phone: 410.543.6222

Office of Student Affairs

Guerrieri University Center, Room 212

Hours: 8:00Am-5:00PM

Phone: 410.543.6080

Website: http://www.salisbury.edu/students

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Life Crisis Center

24 Hour Hotline: 410.479.HELP (4957)

*The Life Crisis Center has multiple locations throughout Salisbury, MD. You will be given the address when an appointment is scheduled.

Peninsula Regional Medical Center

100 E. Carroll Street

Salisbury, MD 21801

Phone: 410.546.6400

Resources Available: Sexual Assault Forensic Exam

Salisbury Police Department

Call 911 – You will be directed to the correct police department depending on your location

Reprinted with permission from the University of California – Irvine, Sexual Assault Response Protocol