Give
Search

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is any sexual contact without the consent of the other person including touching, penetration by an object, or sexual intercourse. If you have questions and need to sort out a confusing experience, we encourage you to reach out.

  1. Home
  2. Departmental Directory
  3. Office of Confidential Advocacy, Support and Education
  4. Sexual Assault

Get Help

No that no one's situation is the same. Whatever you choose is the right thing for you, and no one has the right to take control away from you. Some options to consider:

Are you in a safe location? Is there a chance the assailant could return? Is there somewhere safer you could go? Consider calling someone for support. Besides a loved one, other resources are available to you.

On campus call 4911 and off campus call 911 if there is a safety concern. For non-emergency support and advocacy, call CASE at (662) 816-5377.  CASE advocates can accompany students to report to law enforcement, to visit the hospital or Student Health Center, and/or discuss all options for the next steps on their healing journey.

Injuries: Medical caregivers can provide treatment for injuries. Shock and general aches and pains may be difficult to distinguish from a serious or internal injury.

STI: Prevention and assessment of sexually transmitted infections.

Evidence Collection: A rape evidence kit is a process to collect and test physical evidence for use in criminal investigations and prosecutions. The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program can provide free rape evidence kits to survivors whether the survivor chooses to press charges or not. In Oxford, the emergency room is equipped with rape evidence kits. Many hospitals and medical centers require their staff to report cases of sexual assault to the police. You can choose not to speak to the officers. If you are unsure about participating in criminal prosecution, having the rape evidence kit done will help keep your options open. Typically, evidence will be kept for a few weeks as you consider your options.

Consent requires a clearly communicated agreement to engage in sexual activity. The individual
consenting must act freely and voluntarily and have knowledge of the nature of the act involved.
Consent may be withdrawn at any time regardless of the activity preceding the withdrawal of
consent.

  • The existence of an intimate relationship is not sufficient to constitute consent.
  • Consent may not be inferred from silence or passivity alone.
  • A person who is unconscious cannot give consent.
  • A person cannot give consent if he/she is unable to appreciate the nature of the sexual act, as with a person who has a disability that would impair understanding of the act or with a person who is impaired by the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The use of alcohol or drugs by either party in conjunction with sexual assault does not alleviate
responsibility or diminish the serious nature of the offense. When alcohol or drugs are involved,
a victim will not be charged with an alcohol or drug violation and should not let his or her use of
alcohol or drugs be a deterrent to reporting the incident.

Any agreement to engage in sexual activity that is obtained through coercion, including the use
of physical force, threat, intimidation or exploitation is not consent.

Video: Understanding Consent

How to Help Your Survivor Friend

Find out how to help a friend who has been sexually assaulted. Sexual assault is a traumatic event in a person’s life. It has rippling effects on friends and family. Your friend needs time to heal – it does not happen overnight.

  • Your friend may be afraid of:
    • Being alone
    • Anything that reminds her or him of the rape and/or rapist
    • Reactions from people she or he cares about
  • Your friend may experience feelings of:
    • Outrage, guilt, anger or embarrassment
    • Physical pain from being hurt and abused
    • Helplessness, isolation, alienation and withdrawal
  • Your friend may have difficulty:
    • Relating to others
    • Expressing affection

  • Know the facts: According to recent FBI statistics, a rape happens every 6 minutes in the United States.
  • Believe your friend. It takes courage and strength to tell someone about a traumatic event. Your friend trusts you.
  • Listen to your friend. Let your friend talk at his or her own pace. Give control to your friend.
  • Give information to your friend about getting help, but let your friend decide when to call.
  • Take care of yourself. Resources are available to help you support your friend.

Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors

Our campus partners offer several ways for student survivors of sexual assault to find support.

The University Counseling Center's Sexual Assault Survivor Support Group provides a safe and supportive opportunity to connect and heal with other women who have experienced sexual violence. The group members will explore ways to heal and provide support for one another.

Topics discussed in group may include, but are not limited to, empowerment, exploring resources and options following an assault (e.g., campus. community, criminal justice), self-blame, stigmatization, dating, family and peer relationships, and social and academic support. This group is open to undergraduate and graduate students who have experienced unwanted sexual contact and/or other forms of sexual trauma. This group will meet once weekly for 90 minutes on Zoom.

Please call (662) 915-3784 for more information or to sign up. 

The university's Clinic for Outreach and Personal Enrichment also provides individual counseling.

Call (662) 915-7197 or visit their website for more information.