Sexual Assault Response Tips for RA’s, HD’s, & Other CU Staff
Sexual Assault Response Tips for RAs, HDs and Other CU Staff
As a member of University of Colorado staff, you are a visible and trusted person in your community. As a Resident Adviser and Hall Director, students will look up to you for advise and seek you as a resource. This goes for other staff too. Students may come to you in times of a crisis. One such crisis that not everyone is always prepared to deal with is sexual assault. This handout will provide some basic tips and information about how to help a survivor of sexual assault. However, it cannot and does not address every aspect of every situation. If you have further questions, please contact the Office of Victim Assistance (303-492-8855).
1. Safety. If the resident feels that he/she is in immediate danger, call CUPD (303-492-6666) or 911.
2. Medical. Forensic evidence can be collected and saved by having a SANE exam (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) also known as the “rape kit”. SANE exams are usually done within 72 hours of the assault, but sometimes evidence can still be collected up to a week after the assault, but the sooner you go the better. For those survivors who do not choose to have the forensic exam, medical exams, consultation, and follow-up care (including testing for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy testing) is available and can be planned. Remember you cannot transport a resident to a medical facility.
3. Confidentiality/Reporting: You cannot promise confidentiality! Explain to the resident that you must notify your hall director and that you or your hall director is required to notify the police and or the Office of Student Conduct. The idea of reporting to police is likely to be upsetting to the resident. It is important to let the resident know that even though a report must be made, there is NO requirement for him/her to move forward with charges. Assure the resident that you will not disclose the information to anyone who does not need to know (such as friends, other residents, students, RAs etc.). Your hall director will work with victim advocates to help the resident find out about all of his/her options (medical, emotional, legal, campus, academic, etc.).
-Here are some CONFIDENTIAL resources to offer:
a. Office of Victim Assistance: 303-492-8855, M-F, 8am-5pm
b. Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA) Boulder’s rape crisis team: 303-443-7300-24-hour hotline and response services
4. Listen. One of the most important ways to support a survivor is to listen to him/her without judging or blaming. Remember that no matter what the circumstances, no one deserves to be sexually assaulted.
5. Defining. Allow the survivor to talk about his/her experience. Do not define the experience for him/her. Sometimes survivors do not know what to call what happened and you do not need to say, “That is rape.” Regardless of the legal definition, if they had a “bad experience,” they need to speak with someone who will listen.
6. Follow the survivor’s lead. DO NOT take control of the situation. Most importantly, do not try and do something to “fix” the situation. Being a survivor of sexual assault can cause survivors to feel a loss of control. Let the survivor make his/her own decisions and support their decisions. You can encourage them to reach out for professional support to help them determine his/her options, like through CU Victim Assistance or MESA.
7. Individuality. Understand that each survivor of sexual assault responds uniquely to an assault. Some common reactions may include shock, fear, embarrassment, guilt, anger, depression, and/or feeling overwhelmed. Survivors go through a process after these events and feel differently at different times. Sometimes they want to talk, want to do other things, want to pursue various options, let them know you are available and have resources to offer.
8. Support. Be a support person and help them find support.
9. Take care of yourself. Resources that are available to survivors are also available to you. Consider talking with someone too, like your hall director, an advocate or a counselor, to process your feelings and help you support survivors more effectively.
