Student Conduct & Community Standards

After Sexual Assault - Taking Care of Yourself

The University's Sexual Assault Support Services has put together the following information that we hope you will find helpful. We realize that because of the trauma you have experienced as a result of sexual assault (or remembering a past sexual assault), you may want to have this information available to read through when you feel it will be helpful.

Emotional Concerns

As a result of sexual assault, you may experience a wide range of reactions and feelings that you may find upsetting. It is important to realize that these reactions and feelings are NORMAL reactions of women and men who have been sexually assaulted. It is also important to know that you can and will survive these feelings. Also, if you do not have these feelings at this time, please know that this reaction is also normal (though you may find these emotions surfacing later on if something reminds you of the assault).

• Shock and numbness: wondering what to do first, who to tell, unsure of what has happened.
• Shame and humiliation: feeling personal violation and degradation.
• Fear: that you will be hurt again.
• Anger: at the person who hurt you, at the world in general, angry for "no reason", and sometimes at yourself.
• Dirtiness: feeling "damaged", perhaps wanting to take many showers/baths, wanting to hide.
• Guilt: feeling that the assault was your fault or that you "should have" done something different.
• Powerlessness and helplessness: feeling that you have no control over your own life/body.
• Distrust: feeling suspicious of other people, being very cautious.
• Fright: feeling that you do not want to be alone, being easily startled, having nightmares or trouble sleeping.
• Sexual fear: feeling that you want to stop sexual relations with the significant person in your life, or that you will never enjoy sexual experiences again, or feeling that sex is now "meaningless" and having sexual contact often with people who you do not care about.

Talking with the people in your support system (trusted friends or relatives) or with a counselor can be VERY helpful if you are having feelings that upset or confuse you. You can call the following numbers if you would like more information on how to find someone to talk to:

OSU Sexual Assault Support Services 737-7604

OSU Counseling and Psychological Services 737-2131

OSU Women’s Center 737-3186

Corvallis Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV) 754-0110; 1-800-927-0197 (24 hours/day)

Medical Concerns

Our staff strongly encourages you to take care of yourself. It is a good idea to schedule a follow-up physical exam/gynecology appointment 4-6 weeks after an assault, even if you saw a doctor right after the assault occurred. There are many potential medical concerns that may result from an assault. You may have more peace of mind if you follow through with an examination, testing, and follow-up than if you "wait and see what happens" physically. If you choose not to have an exam at this time, and if you experience any physical problems or medical concerns in the future, please speak with a physician. If you would like to talk with someone about medical concerns and options, please call your primary care physician or one of the following numbers (not listed in any order of preference):

OSU Student Health Services 737-9355

Corvallis Good Samaritan Hospital 768-5021 (rape kit within 72 hours of assault)

Benton County Health Department 766-6839 (pregnancy testing and counseling; STD testing, anonymous HIVD testing)

Relationship and Behavioral Concerns

Each survivor responds uniquely to an assault. Some additional aftereffects that you may experience are listed below. These concerns may arise at various times, in varying intensities, and in varying combinations. If these symptoms are interfering with your life, please find support and work toward healing.

• Trust: it may be difficult to trust even those who are close to you.
• Isolation and alienation: at times, you may feel that you are the "only one" and that nobody else will ever understand how you are feeling.
• Changes in sleeping: you may have trouble getting to sleep, staying asleep, or you may be sleeping many more hours than usual.
• Fatigue and exhaustion: much of your energy is committed to keeping your emotions in check or to trying to forget, and this can make you very tired. You may also find it difficult to concentrate.
• Nightmares and flashbacks: you may experience bad dreams or nightmares – these may or may not include symbols that remind you directly of the assault. Flashbacks are intense feelings (sometimes including smell, sight, and sound) that make you feel as if you are experiencing the assault again – something has triggered your mind to remember the event and this is a protective bodily response to encourage you to find safety. Both nightmares and flashbacks can feel very frightening and intense, and it is often helpful to find support to cope with these events.
• Changes in emotional intimacy with others: it may be difficult for you to feel close and safe with people who previously felt comforting to you, and you may find yourself withdrawing emotionally and/or physically from other people. Or, you may feel that you need to be constantly close with someone both emotionally and physically, and you may feel more dependent on others than you are typically comfortable with
• Concern about "bumming" other people or upsetting others if you talk about the assault.
• Changes in eating behaviors.
• Negative feelings about your body.
• Disinterest in self-care.

Legal Concerns

If you would like to know your options for reporting the assault to legal authorities or to OSU Student Conduct, or if you have already made a report and would like to understand what to expect next, please contact one of the following offices. Trained, situation-sensitive staff will speak with you about your options WITHOUT making any official report unless you decide that is what you want.

OSU Student Conduct 737-3656

ASOSU Legal Advising 737-4165

Corvallis Police Department 766-6924

OSU Department of Public Safety 737-3010

Benton County Victim’s Assistance Program, District Attorney’s Office 766-6688