Health ‘ Science – What do I do if sexually assaulted?

By Pitt News Staff

If You Are Sexually Assaulted Call the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator at 412-648-7930…. If You Are Sexually Assaulted Call the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator at 412-648-7930. She will provide counseling and help you obtain medical care, personal support and academic and legal assistance. What you share with the coordinator is confidential. Get medical attention. All survivors of sexual assault are encouraged to seek medical attention for their own physical health and to preserve evidence. Even if there is no physical injury, survivors should be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and internal trauma. To preserve evidence, do not shower, douche, or change clothes or bedding before you seek medical attention. Also, if oral contact took place, do not brush your teeth, smoke or eat. Female survivors of sexual assault should go to the emergency room at Magee-Women’s Hospital, at Forbes Avenue and Halket Street in Oakland. Male survivors of sexual assault should go to the emergency room at Presbyterian University Hospital, at DeSoto and O’Hara streets in Oakland.

Even if you do not want to pursue legal action, preserving evidence keeps your options open in case you later change your mind. Report the crime to the campus police: 412-624-2121 or 412-648-2121, or 811 on campus. You have the right to refuse to press charges even if you file the report.

For more information, call Mary Koch-Ruiz at (412) 648-7930 or visit www.saserv.pitt.edu.

If you have any questions related to healthy living or science, please e-mail [email protected] to have it answered by a reliable source.