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LIFE AT WSU

  • What Should I Do if I’m Assaulted?

    If you have been assaulted, prompt medical and emotional care can make a difference. You have options from reporting the incident, to accessing on or off campus supports.

  • Ensure your safety
    • Go to a safe place and tell someone you trust what happened.
    • In an emergency call campus or local law enforcement:  
    Preserve evidence
    • Any person who has experienced sexual violence is encouraged to take steps to preserve evidence of the incident as doing so may be necessary to prove that a crime occured, or to obtain a protection order from the court.
    • Save copies of any electronic communications (pictures, videos, texts, social media posts, etc.)
    • Avoid showering, bathing, douching, drinking, eating or brushing your teeth. Don’t throw away any clothing or objects that might contain evidence. Save every article of clothing worn during the incident without laundering it or altering it and place them into a paper bag (not plastic), if available. If you choose to go to the hospital, bring the bag with you.
    Seek medical attention
    • Not all injuries are evident. For your well-being, it is strongly recommended that you receive a medical exam at a local hospital or WSU Health Services as soon as possible.
    • Some medical actions are more effective if taken within a few days after an offense, such as preventative treatment for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, evidence collection, toxicology testing, if there are signs that drugs or alcohol facilitated the offense.
    • Medical staff are confidential resources who can help assess your needs, including prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy, and emotional counseling.
    • Trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) are specially trained, certified professionals skilled in performing quality forensic medical-legal exams.
    • Review the list of medical resources and other related information.
    Speak with a counselor or confidential resource
    • After an incident seek out a confidential resource who will keep your information and the incident confidential as well support your emotional well being.
    • Confidential resources and advocates can help with crisis intervention, review your reporting options and rights, provide crisis support and coping skills, assess and engage safety planning, encourage medical follow up, and assist with connection to additional on or off campus resources.
    • Review the list of on and off campus confidential and emotional support services.
    Consider reporting options
    Access online and hotline resources

  • Learn More

    Link Icon Common Reactions following Assault
    PDF icon Frequently Asked Questions After a Sexual Assault (provided by Massachusetts Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program)

  • CONTACT US

    Jennifer Quinn M.Ed., CHES, CTTS
    Director of Title IX
    Drug and Alcohol Education Prevention
    Student Center
    Office SC338
    508-929-8243
    jquinn@worcester.edu
    wsu_titleix@worcester.edu  

    On-Campus Emergencies
    508-929-8911

    Off-Campus Emergencies
    Worcester Police Department
    911