SAFETY IS FIRST PRIORITY
After an incident of sexual violence, consider seeking medical attention as soon as possible. As time passes, evidence may dissipate or become lost or unavailable, thereby making investigation, possible prosecution, disciplinary proceedings, or obtaining protection from abuse orders related to the incident more difficult.
Campus Police
SCC Main Campus, Campus Services Building
636-922-8545
Public Emergency Services
911
Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital
10 Hospital Drive
St Peters, MO 63376
Phone: 636-916-9000
Progress West HealthCare Center
2 Progress Point Parkway
O'Fallon, MO 63368
Phone: 636-344-1000
SSM St. Joseph Health Center
300 First Capitol Drive
St. Charles, MO 63301
Phone: 636-947-5000
SSM St. Joseph Hospital West
100 Medical Plaza
Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367
Phone: 636-625-5200
Evidence Preservation
It is important that a victim of sexual assault does not bathe, douche, smoke, change clothing or clean the bed/linen/area where assaulted if the offense occurred within the past 96 hours, so that evidence may be preserved that may assist in proving that the alleged criminal offense occurred or may be helpful in obtaining a protection order. In circumstances of sexual assault, if victims do not opt for forensic evidence collection, health care providers can still treat injuries and take steps to address concerns of pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. Victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence are encouraged to also preserve evidence by saving text messages, instant messages, social networking pages, other communications, pictures, and available logs.
Law Enforcement
Although the College strongly encourages individuals to report violations of this policy to law enforcement, it is the individual’s choice whether or not to make such a report and to accept or decline involvement with law enforcement. The College will assist with notifying the police if desired. Reports of sexual violence to the Department of Public Safety/Campus Police (DPS) will be considered a report to law enforcement and Campus Police may proceed with pursuing a criminal investigation and/or criminal charges with or without the complainant’s consent.
The College does not publish the name of crime victims nor house identifiable information regarding victims in the DPS Daily Crime Log or online. Victims may request that directory information on file be removed from public sources by request from the Student Life office.
Ex-Parte Orders of Protection
The College complies with Missouri law in recognizing an Ex-Parte Order of Protection or Full Order of Protection. Any person who obtains an order of protection against a member of the campus community should provide a copy to Department of Public Safety/Campus Police (DPS) and the Title IX Coordinator. The individual may then meet with DPS/Campus Police to develop a Safety Action Plan, which is a plan for DPS and the individual to reduce risk of harm while on campus or coming and going from campus. This plan may include, but is not limited to escorts, special parking arrangements, changing classroom or work locations, and allowing a student to complete assignments from home. The College cannot apply for a legal order of protection, no-contact order, or restraining order on behalf of an individual. The individual is required to apply directly for these services.
CONFIDENTIAL HELP WITHOUT FILING A REPORT
Students:
On-Campus Confidential Help:
Mental Health Counselor
636-922-8571
ADM 1123
Faculty/Staff:
Employee Assistance Program
ComPsych
888-628-4809; 800-697-0353 (TDD)
CONFIDENTIALITY
Credit-seeking students who wish to maintain confidentiality may contact the mental health counselor, provided by the College free of charge, at 636-922-8571.
Credit-seeking students can speak with the mental health counselor confidentially and, absent the student’s consent, such reports or conversations will not be reported to the Title IX Coordinator for further investigation. Please note that the mental health counselor will not be able to maintain confidentiality when there is a threat of harm to oneself or another.
Employees who wish to maintain confidentiality may contact the Employee Assistance Program at 888-628-4809; 800-697-0353 (TDD) for confidential assistance.
Credit and non-credit students and employees who wish to maintain confidentiality may also speak with off-campus rape crisis or domestic violence counselors and off-campus members of the clergy and chaplains.
ADDITIONAL OFF-CAMPUS RESOURCES
Counseling:
- ALIVE: 314-993-2777
- Behavioral Health Response: 800-811-4760
- Safe Connections: 314-531-2003
Victim Advocacy:
- Crime Victim Advocacy Center: 314-524-0686
- YWCA St. Louis Area Sexual Assault Center: 314-531-RAPE (7273)Health:
- Crider Health Center: 636-332-6000
- Volunteers in Medicine: 636-724-4848
Legal Assistance:
- Legal Advocates for Abused Women: 314-664-6699
- Legal Services of Missouri: 800-440-0514
Mental Health:
- Lutheran Family and Children’s Services: 636-949-5522
- Crider Health Center: 636-332-6000
- Catholic Family Services: 636-281-1990
Visa and Immigration Assistance:
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): 866-341-2423
- Homeland Security, Blue Campaign (Fight Against Human Trafficking): 866-341-2423 or 888-373-7888 (victim support)
Shelters:
- Woman’s Place: 636-373-7911
- The Women’s Safe House: 314-772-4535
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
- 800-799-SAFE (7233)
National Sexual Assault Hotline:
- 800-656-HOPE (4673)
Other resources available to persons who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual exploitation include:
- http://www.rainn.org – Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
- http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/sexassault.htm – Department of Justice
- http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html – Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights
- http://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=533 – Adult abuse/stalking orders of protections forms
RISK REDUCTION
With no intent to blame the victim and recognizing that only rapists are responsible for rape, the following are some strategies to reduce one’s risk of sexual assault or harassment (taken from Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network, www.rainn.org)
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Be aware of your surroundings. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way to get out of a bad situation.
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Try to avoid isolated areas. It is more difficult to get help if no one is around.
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Walk with purpose. Even if you don’t know where you are going, act like you do.
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Trust your instincts. If a situation or location feels unsafe or uncomfortable, it probably isn’t the best place to be.
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Try not to load yourself down with packages or bags as this can make you appear more vulnerable.
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Make sure your cell phone is with you and charged and that you have cab money.
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Don't allow yourself to be isolated with someone you don’t trust or someone you don’t know.
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Avoid putting music headphones in both ears so that you can be more aware of your surroundings, especially if you are walking alone.
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When you go to a social gathering, go with a group of friends. Arrive together, check in with each other throughout the evening, and leave together. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way out of a bad situation.
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Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe in any situation, go with your gut. If you see something suspicious, contact law enforcement immediately (local authorities can be reached by calling 911 in most areas of the U.S.).
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Don't leave your drink unattended while talking, dancing, using the restroom, or making a phone call. If you have left your drink alone, just get a new one.
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Don't accept drinks from people you don't know or trust. If you choose to accept a drink, go with the person to the bar to order it, watch it being poured, and carry it yourself. At parties, don’t drink from the punch bowls or other large, common open containers.
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Watch out for your friends, and vice versa. If a friend seems out of it, is way too intoxicated for the amount of alcohol they have had, or is acting out of character, get him or her to a safe place immediately.
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If you suspect you or a friend have been drugged, contact law enforcement immediately (local authorities can be reached by calling 911 in most areas of the U.S.). Be explicit with doctors so they can give you the correct tests (you will need a urine test and possibly others).
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If you need to get out of an uncomfortable or scary situation, here are some things that you can try:
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Remember that being in this situation is not your fault. You did not do anything wrong; it is the person who is making you uncomfortable that is to blame.
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Be true to yourself. Don't feel obligated to do anything you don't want to do. "I don't want to" is always a good enough reason. Do what feels right to you and what you are comfortable with.
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Have a code word with your friends or family so that if you don’t feel comfortable you can call them and communicate your discomfort without the person you are with knowing. Your friends or family can then come to get you or make up an excuse for you to leave.
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If you don’t want to hurt the person’s feelings it is better to lie and make up a reason to leave than to stay and be uncomfortable, scared, or worse. Some excuses you could use include: needing to take care of a friend or family member, not feeling well, having somewhere else that you need to be, etc.
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Try to think of an escape route. How would you try to get out of the room? Where are the doors? Windows? Are there people around who might be able to help you? Is there an emergency phone nearby?
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If you and/or the other person have been drinking, you can say that you would rather wait until you both have your full judgment before doing anything you may regret later.
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