When you’re the victim of sexual violence…

There is never an excuse for using force, intimidation, or drugs/alcohol to force someone to perform sexual acts of any kind. If you (or someone you know) have been the victim of sexual violence, on or off-campus, help is available, immediately and in the long-term.  You are not alone – there are many sources of confidential help, and Rutgers Health Sciences Campus at Newark is committed to helping you secure the assistance you need.

Regardless of whether you wish to file a police report, it is important to seek medical assistance as soon as possible to receive preventive medication for possible sexually transmitted diseases and be eligible to receive emergency contraception.

GET IMMEDIATE HELP…

• Get to a safe place as soon as you can
• If the assault has taken place recently, and you are able to do so comfortably, avoid the following activities before deciding whether you will participate in a forensic medical exam:  Eating or drinking, bathing, showering, or douching, using the bathroom, changing your clothes.
• Contact Public Safety or the local police:
  
  Rutgers Health Sciences Campus at Newark
  On Campus: 973-972-4490 or 222
  Off Campus:  911 for the local Police Dept.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible. A medical examination will provide any necessary treatment and collect important evidence. Injuries may not be immediately apparent.
  
  
• Contact someone you trust, such as a close friend, to be with you and support you.

Other resources for immediate help:

State-wide Sexual Assault Toll Free Hotline
(800) 601-7200 – or on-line at http://www.njcasa.org/

Sexual Violence Programs in NJ, by county http://www.njcasa.org/sexual-violence-nj/sexual-violence-programs

SOURCES OF MEDICAL & MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE:

Student Health Services:
Rutgers Health Sciences Campus Newark
Student Health Service - Doctor’s Office Center, 90 Bergen Street, Suite 1750, Newark
973-972-8219

Employee Assistance/Student Wellness Program (counseling, crisis intervention)
Services available 24/7
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., evenings by appointment.
973-972-5429
EMERGENCIES after 5:00 p.m. & weekends – 1-800-327-3678

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Notifying the police does not require you to pursue criminal prosecution or Rutgers disciplinary action.  Your rights include:

• Contacting Public Safety to file criminal charges or report any issue regarding physical security, or contacting local police; and, or;
• Filing civil charges through the courts; and, or;
• Independent of filing criminal or civil charges, pursuing charges through University policies (see below), if the alleged assailant is part of the Rutgers community;
• Deciding to file no charges;
• Rights as outlined in the Campus Sexual Assault Bill of Rights;
• Contacting the University’s Title IX Coordinator who is responsible for overseeing complaints regarding sexual assault.