Who to call to report a sexual assault
What to expect from a sexual assault exam
Medical help: Whether or not you want to seek medical help is your decision. *
If you are in danger or need immediate emergency medical attention call 911.
If you were sexually assaulted recently, you may want to go to a local hospital for a sexual assault evidentiary examination. It can be helpful to know that it's very common for survivors to question the reality of their assault right after the incident, regardless of the circumstances. This is one form of coping with the trauma of sexual violence. It's not uncommon, however, to feel differently about reporting the assault at a later time. To check out your physical wellbeing and to preserve critical physical evidence of rape, a medial examination can be a good option.
This examination is also a time when you can get medical advice and medication in case you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or if the assault has resulted in an unwanted pregnancy. This exam will be paid for by the State of Iowa.
If you choose to seek medical help you can call your local rape crisis center or sexual assault program to find out which hospitals near you perform the exam.
Whom do I call to report a sexual assault? *
An assault should be reported to the law enforcement agency that covers the area where the assault happened. If the assault occurred on The University of Iowa Campus, you call The University of Iowa Police, (911 emergency or 319-335-5022 non-emergency). If you live in a city, but were assaulted in the country, you can call the county sheriff. You can also call a county attorney about the assault if you choose. If you are confused about where to report the assault, advocates at the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (319-335-6000) or the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline (1-800-284-7821) can help you.
University of Iowa students, staff or faculty may also report an assault to University Administration by contacting the University of Iowa Sexual Misconduct Coordinator (319-335-6200).
Reporting Options for UI Students
Reporting Requirements for UI Staff and Faculty
What can I expect to happen if I have a sexual assault exam? **
If you decide to go to the hospital for a sexual assault exam, you may choose to bring someone with you, you can request the presence of an Advocate from a local rape crisis center, or you can decide to go alone. If you request an Advocate, they will be there to help you understand the process and assist with any of your needs, though you can ask that they step out of the room at any point if you feel uncomfortable.
The following may occur at an exam:
• A history will be taken to check for injuries and determine treatment needed for you.
• A pelvic exam may be conducted.
• With your consent, a "rape kit" will be used to collect evidence. It is possible that the attacker may have left behind evidence (hair, saliva, semen, etc.) that could help in an identification. Swabs will be taken from the mouth, genitals, and rectum, along with hair samples. They will check under your fingernails for evidence of the attacker's blood or skin.
• Photographs may be taken of any bruises and other injuries.
• Blood tests may be conducted (to check for pregnancy and STI's). It's important for you to consult with the doctor to review the results of these tests once they are received.
• The doctor should inform you about emergency contraception (also known as Plan B) to prevent pregnancy. If the doctor doesn't, and you could possibly get pregnant, you can ask for it yourself. Plan B should be taken within 72 hours to be effective in preventing a pregnancy. Plan B is a form of birth control that works after unprotected sex. To get more information on Plan B and find out how to get it, click: http://www.go2planb.com/
• Tell the nurse or doctor at any time during the exam if you need to take a break or you want to stop the exam.
After the exam has been completed you will be able to leave the hospital and return home or return to an alternative safe place. If you have an Advocate present you can discuss what steps you might want to take next, or you can choose to contact any of your local sexual assault services at any point in the future.
University of Iowa Confidential Sources
For help deciding how to proceed after experiencing a Sexual Assault at the University of Iowa, you can contact the University of Iowa Sexual Misconduct Response Coordinator at 319-335-6200. However, please be aware that the Sexual Misconduct Response Coordinator may need to file an official report. If you want to talk to someone who is able to keep your conversation confidential you should contact one of the following:
Office of the Ombudsperson: 319-335-3608
University Counseling Service: 319-335-7294
Rape Victim Advocacy Program 24-hour Crisis Line: 319-335-6000
Faculty and Staff Services: 319-335-2085
Student Health Service: 319-335-8370
Women's Resource & Action Center: 319-335-1486
For more information related to frequently asked questions about sexual assault visit: http://www.iowacasa.org/
For listings of rape crisis centers or sexual assault programs in your area visit: http://centers.rainn.org/ or
http://www.feminist.org/911/index.html
For Iowa City and Johnson County (IA) resources visit:
The Rape Victim Advocacy Program at http://www.rvap.org/
The Domestic Violence Intervention Program at http://www.dvipiowa.org/
To see University of Iowa Policies related to Sexual Misconduct Involving Students, Including Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment: http://www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/iv/02.htm
To see the University of Iowa Policies related to Sexual Harassment: http://www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/04.htm
