What should you do if you are assaulted?
- Try to remain calm.
- Call one of the “Friends” volunteers (see phone numbers below).
- It is best not to bathe, douche, change clothes, apply medication, or otherwise modify your appearance. Try not to urinate or defecate. Any of these actions could destroy evidence needed for later prosecution.
- Seek medical attention. At the hospital emergency room you will receive necessary attention to your health and safety, including attention to physical injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. The medical attention you receive will also gather evidence in case you choose to pursue legal prosecution—either immediately or at a later time. The hospital is required by law to report sexual assault to the police. Evidence collected, however, is given to you so that you decide whether to cooperate with legal prosecution.
- You may choose to report the crime to the police. The police will, in turn, report the crime to the State’s Attorney who will assist you with legal prosecution regardless of whether you file legal charges on campus with the Office of Student Affairs.
- Seek emotional support in dealing with the emotions and stress that may follow a sexual assault. Your stressful symptoms may continue for an extended period of time. Help is available on campus and in the surrounding area. See the list of resources in the brochure.
What should you do if someone you know is assaulted?
- Be supportive and nonjudgmental. Be a good listener and allow the person to talk about the assault. Offer reassurance and help the person to feel in control by allowing her or him to make the necessary decisions.
- Encourage and assist the person in seeking medical attention. A volunteer is available to accompany the individual to the emergency room of the hospital.
- Encourage the person to report the crime to the police. Remember, however, that the decision belongs to the person who has been assaulted. Your role is to support and encourage. A volunteer is available to accompany her or him to the police station.
- If the assailant is a member of the college community, encourage the individual to file charges on campus through the Office of Student Affairs. Established grievance procedures are discussed in detail in the Monmouth College Scots Guide.
- Be aware that victims of sexual assault often experience long-lasting emotional trauma. Symptoms may include calm, hysteria, anxiety, anger, shame and fear. Victims of acquaintance rape may experience especially intense feelings of shame, guilt, betrayal, loss of confidence in their own judgment and inability to trust. Recognize these as normal reactions. Continue to be supportive.
- Encourage the person to contact one of the rape counseling resources listed in this source.
- Recognize that assisting a victim of sexual assault brings stress into your life. Help is available to you in coping with feelings and emotional demands that you are experiencing. See the list of resources in this brochure.
The following people have committed to be support persons for victims of sexual assault. These volunteers can provide emotional support and assistance in making decisions important to the well-being of the victim. They also are available to transport the victim to the police, hospital or counseling center.
Friends Hotline
Rev. Kathleen Fannin 457-2380 734-5061 (Home)
Stacy Lotz 457-2359 309-342-0695 (Home)
Cheryl Meeker 457-2364 734-4609 (Home)
Other important numbers to remember:
Monmouth College Security 2345, “0” (or)
309-337-5708
Monmouth College Counseling Service
Appointments 2114
Emergency Hotline 309-322-7143
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault* 309-837-5555
Illinois Rape/Sexual Assault* 309-797-1777
Center for Prevention of Abuse
Toll Free 800-559-7233
Collect 309-691-4111
State’s Attorney Office 309-734-8476
City of Monmouth Police Department 911 (or)
309-734-8383
*May call collect.