Stay sober. Most rapes occur while in a situation
while one or both individuals are under the influence of drugs
or alcohol.
Trust your instincts. If you are in a situation
that doesn't feel right, listen to your inner voice that says, "I'm uncomfortable".
Act on your instincts. If it is possible to do
so, leave the uncomfortable situation quickly. If things start
to get out of hand be loud in protesting. It is helpful to plan
ahead what you might do if you are in a dangerous situation such
as making a plan to scream, run, act crazy, or hit the perpetrator.
Whatever you chose to do or not to do, sexual assault is never
your fault.
Go on group/ double dates. If you are unsure
of new acquaintance or are going on a "blind date", this can give you the opportunity
to get to know the person better before being alone with them.
Adapted from the Maine
Coalition Against Sexual Assault
University of Maine
Resources for help
in responding to sexual assault/rape
If you or a friend experience sexual
violence; are confused and need clarification;have questions
or need help, contact:
Residential
Life Staff - Resident
assistant, Resident Director, Assistant Director,etc.
Can provide immediate support and response, arrangements
as necessary for emergency services, advice regarding university
and community resources, and intervention to assure safety. Peer
Educator Program can provide information and programs. http://www.umaine.edu/rlp/contactinfo.htm
Safe Campus Project- check
out the site!
Campus
Police and Public Safety - 581-4040 or 911 if emergency
Can provide emergency response, transportation
to medical resources, criminal investigation, liaison with district
attorney's office, referral/advice regarding university and community
resources. Will typically assign a female officer to cases involving
sexual assault/ rape with a female victim.
Cutler
Health Center - 581-4179 After hours 581-4000
Can provide emergency and ongoing medical care
Monday- Friday 8-4 PM.Women's health services include STD prevention
and testing. With victim's consent will make arrangements with
St. Josephs hospital and Campus police for transportation and
medical protocol used to provide evidence for prosecution. Referral/advice
regarding campus and community resources. Literature and information
available.
Counseling
Center - 581-1392 After hours 581-4020 Cutler Health Center
Can provide individual counseling for victims and
perpetrators. Also periodically provides groups for survivors
of recent or childhood sexual assault/ rape. After hours and
weekends counselors can be contacted through 581-4020.
Equal
Opportunity Office -
581-1226 Alumni Hall
Can provide information, advice, referral and informal
intervention to sexual assault/ rape survivors as a violation
of the University's sexual harassment policy. Avenues to explore
alternative responses to perpetrator for victim who may not want
to press criminal charges or pursue formal judicial action against
the perpetrator. Consults and monitors university's response
to cases of sexual assault/rape.
Office
of Judicial Affairs - 581-1406
Memorial Union
Provides adjudication of violations of the student
conduct code ( including sexual assault/ rape) either through
formal administrative action or the University Conduct.Committee.
Campus Ministry - 866-2155 Newman Center Rev. Joseph Koury Sister Mary Sweeney 866-4227
Maine Christian Association.
Pastoral counseling and support.
In- House Greek Advisers
Can provide immediate support, emergency arrangements,
and referral to campus and community resources.
Rape Response Services - 989-5678 1-800-310-0000 TTY 1-800-458-5599
Provides 24 hour confidential hotline counseling
and referral for victims of sexual assault/ rape. Also provides
advocates who can be with as needed e.g. through medical procedures,
court processes. Advocates must complete 40 hour training program
for responding to rape. Can ask for UM student advocate. Can
provide support immediately after assault or whenever the effects
are felt. Totally anonymous.
Penobscot County Victims
Witness Coordinator - 942-8552 Lin Dosen Bangor
Provides support and information for victims of
sexual assault/ rape as the case is prosecuted through the court
system. Affiliated with the District Attorneys Office.
St. Joseph Hospital
Emergency Room- 262-5000
Bangor
The successful prosecution of sexual assault/ rape
cases often depends on the physical evidence collected as soon
as possible after the assault. St Joseph is the area hospital
designated to have physicians and nursing staff trained to treat
sexual assault/ rape victims with attention to collecting such
evidence. The response also involves testing for sexually transmitted
diseases and pregnancy prevention and testing. To assure the
best chances for successful prosecution, if chosen by the victim,
the victim should be advised not to wash or change clothes (
if possible) prior to going to St Joseph.
There are additional resources as
well. we should prefer sexual assault/ rapes did not occur
on campus. However, as long as there are those who hear "No" as "yes" or "maybe",
students are at risk - of both committing a serious crime and
being victimized by that crime. In the event you or a friend
is sexually assaulted/ raped, treat is seriously ..and tell
someone. There are Long -term effects even if the immediate
effects may not appear to obvious..so help is important. It
is not so important which of these resources you start with
. Hopefully, whenever you start will lead to where you need
to be to address the specific concerns of your situation. These
resources are not isolated, but cooperate to provide a web
support for the student who has been assaulted sexually. After
the first contact, there is help for deciding who else might
be of assistance.
Women's
Health Services
Cutler Health Center
University of Maine
581-4179
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