What is Sexual Assault?

• Sexual Assault
  Any attempted or actual sexual activity that is unwanted or nonconsensual including oral or anal penetration, sexual touching, fondling, rape and a variety of other acts. Sexual assault is a crime under North Carolina law.
• Rape
  Under North Carolina law is defined as:
  1. Vaginal intercourse : By force, against a person's will
• In North Carolina, the law considers it rape when sex is forced on someone who is mentally incapacitated. This includes someone who is intoxicated. In other words, the law recognizes that when someone is drunk, they are unable to give true consent.

For more information On Rape and types of rape see: http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/was-it-rape

ECU Sexual Assault Examiner program, what is it?

ECU SHS created a Sexual Assault Examiner program to help meet the needs of any student who has been sexually assaulted. Our services are available to students who live on or off campus, whether the assault occurred on or off campus.

The primary mission of the Sexual Assault Examiner program is to provide immediate, comprehensive, low cost, and compassionate medical and forensic care to ECU students who are survivors of sexual assault. We are able to offer immediate care to victims as well as the recommended follow up care, thus maintaining continuity and promoting confidentially.   Our staff has received specialized training to provide thorough forensic examinations in addition to providing quality medical care.  Our sexual assault examination staff is comprised of three nurse practitioners who are trained as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE’s), and one physician assistant.

What do I do if I have been sexually assaulted?

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted tell someone.  Contacting someone will allow you to receive the proper care you need.  You can contact ECU police, ECU Student Health Services (SHS), ECU Victims advocate, Call 911, or go the Emergency Department at the Hospital.

If you have a life threatening injury or show evidence of physical trauma (i.e. gunshot/knife wound, broken bones) you should go immediately to the local emergency department and/ or call 911.

To help preserve evidence:

1. It is best to have evidence collected within the first 72 hours of the assault.
2. Victims should not shower, bathe, or douche.
3. If possible, do not change or wash any clothing worn during or after the assault.

However, the items listed above are recommendations only. We encourage you to be seen even if you have not followed the recommendations.

What will be included in a post sexual assault examination?

The examination will consist of treatment of medical needs, preventative treatment for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy. You may also choose to have a forensic examination for evidence collection.  You have the right to decline any portion of the examination.  You do not have to report the crime to receive services.

What other services or resources are available?

The Sexual Assault examiners will work closely with  the ECU Victims Advocate, members of ECU SART,  REAL Crisis, and local law enforcement agencies to ensure student’s have access to appropriate resources, that safety concerns are met, and that they receive the best care possible.  However, you decide who will be involved in your care.

What is ECU SART (Sexual Assault Response Team)?

ECU has victim advocates, members of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) available seven days a week, twenty four hours per day that can meet student victims at the hospital and/ or be called to the hospital to assist students. This service can be accessed by contacting ECU police and/ or asking hospital personnel to contact an ECU advocate. The SART member will be there to provide support to students and help students access resources available to them on campus.

What are the hours of operation and what do I do if I need assistance after those hours?

ECU SHS offers the sexual assault examinations Monday through Thursday 8:00 am- 7:00pm, and from 8:00 am- 5:00pm on Fridays, during the fall and springs semesters, excluding holidays. Summer hours coincide with normal clinic hours for SHS.

Students are encouraged to seek help at Pitt County Memorial Hospital Emergency Department if assault occurs on the weekends or at a time when SHS cannot be accessed within the recommended time frame.  Students that show evidence of physical trauma, (i.e. gunshot/knife wound, broken bones), should also go to Pitt County Memorial Hospital Emergency Department for treatment.

What is the cost to me?

There is no charge to be seen and examined at SHS. A minimal charge is incurred for medications and screening tests only.  We take pride in offering low cost care to our patients, which we feel is an advantage of receiving care at SHS.

Who can I talk to for more information?

For more information on the Sexual Assault Examination program or questions regarding sexual assault, please call ECU Student Health Services at 328-6841.  For information regarding advocacy and victim services, please contact Sue Molhan at 737-1466. You may also contact the ECU SHS Health Educator, Shawnte McMillan at 328-6841.

Links:

Office of Victim Services
ECU Police Department
Dean of Students office