Information and Support for Survivors of Sexual Assault
IF YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO:
- Cathey Soutter, Ph.D., Coordinator of Psychological Services For Women 214-768-4795
- Counseling and Psychiatric Services 214-768-2277
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED?
TELL SOMEONE...
a trusted friend, an advisor, and RA, or call the Coordinator of Psychological Services for Women at 214-768-4795 (if after 5:00 PM, call the emergency number given on the voice mail message).
REPORT THE ASSAULT...
It's YOUR decision, but reporting a rape to University officials or filing a police report does not initiate criminal charges. Only by signing a criminal complaint do you begin criminal prosecution.
Please call 911 to reach the campus police, University Park Police, or the Dallas Police Department. This is important because you need to:
GET MEDICAL ATTENTION...
as soon as possible. You could be injured, become pregnant, or be exposed to a sexually transmitted disease. A medical examination, called a "Rape Kit Test" will also preserve important evidence of rape should you decide to prosecute. Please DO NOT bathe or douche until after your medical exam. Parkland Hospital is the only Dallas county medical facility specially equipped to assist the sexual assault victim and to conduct the medical exam which can be used as evidence. The police will take you to Parkland and bring you home.
OBTAIN COUNSELING...
You may have a trained counselor from SMU of with you to the hospital by calling the Coordinator of Psychological Services for Women at 214-768-4795 (after 5:00 PM call the emergency number given in the voice mail message) OR after arrival, the Parkland Hospital staff will contact the Dallas County Rape Crisis Center for you if you wish to see a counselor or will contact a counselor from SMU. It is your choice.
Sexual assault can continue to affect you emotionally and physically. You may be experiencing a variety of feelings: shock, denial, fear, numbness, mistrust, powerlessness, and/or self-blame. These feelings may cause you to behave in ways you normally would not. You may be experiencing disturbances in you sleeping patterns, and your eating habits may change. You may find that you do not wish to be alone or that you fear strangers.
Remember that recovery takes time and that counseling can help you deal with these issues and concerns.
WHATEVER YOU DECIDE - ALL COUNSELING IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL