Over the course of the semester, our campus has seen too many cases of sexual assault. And those were only the ones reported. We all know that most girls who are sexually assaulted or raped do not even report it. So, this is for any girl in our Notre Dame community that would be unsure of what to do/what you can do on campus if this happened to you or a friend to hopefully expedite the healing process. I’ve decided to only cover the practcal aspects, since in times of crisis we need consolation, but also a source of level-headedness.
First, of all:
Do not shower if you want to report it. You can call (574) 631-7336 anytime of day – this University Counseling Center’s Urgent Crisis hotline if you need someone to walk you through what to do. If it is after hours, call and leave a message and within thirty minutes someone will get back to you. To file a police report, contact NDSP at (574) 631-5555 if it occurred on campus. If it did not, contact the police department in the city it did occur.
Saint Liam’s: (574) 631-7497
Walk straight in or make an appointment, you’ll want to see a doctor (or a psychologist) even if you don’t want to report it and it will stay confidential. Be honest with the nurse you see, they need to know why you’re there to be able to help you. The doctor will recommend that you should report it, but will not push the subject. The doctor will remind you that it is not your fault. You can get tested for STD’s and it will be covered. Most STD’s can be tested through urine samples. More serious ones may require blood testing, which can also be done at Saint Liam’s. Results from urine samples come back very quickly, you will know the results before the doctor leaves you.
Once the testing is completed, the doctor will recommend you see a psychologist. The psych is there to help you deal with the emotional and mental trauma in the aftermath. It is important to at least try talking to a psych. They are doctors and can sometimes be more helpful than your best friend.
With that said, I would suggest confiding in at least one friend that you trust to be by your side throughout this entire process. This is a scary time. It can be extremely overwhelming. Let your friend take care of the busy work. They should let your friend join you in seeing the doctor to, so you don’t have to relieve what happened and your friend can relay it.
Being a victim of sexual assault or rape can be a painful process. It is important to not internalize the experience. Healing can only occur by addressing it, confiding in someone you trust, and seeing a doctor can all get you on the road to recovery. You will recover. Things will be okay again. We are ND and we are here for you.
Please see these resources if you, or anyone you know, needs help as the victim of a sexual assault or rape:
Committee on Sexual Assault Prevention
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