Sexual Assault Support
No one should ever experience sexual assault, but many of us find ourselves here. You are not alone. You did not cause this to happen. There is support out there. We do want to note that SHOP is not considered a “confidential resource”, meaning if you share about a sexual assault or sexual violence with one of our staff, we are mandated to make a Title IX report. You can still come speak to us, but we want you to be aware of our obligations.
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is any non-consenual sexual contact or behavior. This can include attempted rape, unwanted sexual touch, forcing someone to do sexual acts, or unwanted penetration. It is not unusual for alcohol or drugs to be involved. Most of the time the person knows the perpetrator.
It is not uncommon for a person to wonder if it was really sexual assault or to question their experience. If you are unsure if what happened to you was indeed sexual assault or you want to process an experience, CARE and CAPS are confidential resources on campus.
What should I do if I was sexually assaulted?
First and foremost, get yourself to a safe place. Your safety and wellbeing come first.
After you are safe, there are some decisions you need to make. An advocate can walk you through your options. To speak with an advocate, contact CARE during their business hours. For after hours support, contact Monarch Services at (888) 900-4232. They will you explore your options around:
- Criminal and administrative reporting
- Medical and forensic exam options
- How to preserve evidence
- Accessing support, including (but not limited to) legal, psychological, medical, and academic accommodations
If you opt for a forensic exam, it is imperative that you do that as soon as possible. Some date rape drugs can be out of your system in as little as 12 hours or less. Avoid showering, washing your clothes, and urinating until you can be assessed.
What if I am a survivor?
The confusion, rage, and pain from sexual assault and relationship violence can last for years. It is difficult to hold these emotions and show up day to day. You might still feel unsafe, struggle with trusting others (or yourself), and grapple with blame and guilt. Sleep issues and hypervigilance can plague us. On the other hand, our relationship to what happened to us can also shift as we gain more perspective on it and seek growth and healing post-trauma.
CARE offers groups for survivors to connect and process together. Knowing you are not alone and seeing others going through similar struggles can be both comforting and empowering. CAPS also offers trauma-focused therapy options to process what happened and get to a place where you feel safer, more connected, and present again.
Resources
Please note that some campus resources are required to report sexual misconduct to the Title IX Office, whereas others can maintain complete confidentiality. If you are unsure if you want to file a report, you should contact the confidential resources. They can talk you through your options.
Confidential Resources
- CARE (Center for Advocacy, Resources & Empowerment) serves the UC Santa Cruz community by providing free and confidential support to those impacted by sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence, stalking, or sexual harassment. They offer prevention education, training, and work collaboratively with campus communities to create a culture of respect and empowerment.
- CAPS (Counseling & Psychological Services) can provide confidential counseling and support around sexual assault and trauma.
Other Resources
- Cowell Student Health Center offers STI testing, pregnancy testing, and other general health support.
- Title IX Office Title IX is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits gender or sex based discrimination in any federally funded education program or activity. The Title IX Office works to prevent discrimination and harassment. They also receive and respond to reports of misconduct, and will work to remedy and prevent future harm.
- UC Police Department UCPD takes a report on the sexual assault and explains options regarding protective orders, criminal/civil reporting, and next steps.
Off Campus Resources
- Monarch Services offers immediate crisis response to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking through their 24-hour confidential, bilingual crisis line at 1(888) 900-4232. Their legal helpline is (831) 281-0400.
- Dominican Hospital Provides forensic exams and/or drug screenings. If you want someone to accompany you, contact CARE or Monarch Services for an advocate who can walk you through the process.