Upcoming Events
Campus Flu Shot Clinic
Wed, October 19th
1:00pm-7:00pm
DPC (details to follow)
Sex Signals
Friday, August 26th
6:30pm & 8:00pm
Bruce Davis Theatre
Need to Know: For Faculty, Family & Friends
Questions?
Contact Us
Denise Shaffer
Office Associate II
Phone: 240-895-4289
How to Report
If you have experienced sexual assault, know that YOU ARE NOT AT FAULT. The person who forced or exploited you is at fault. Reporting the incident does not mean you have to press charges or go through the college judicial process, but it can be a step in regaining personal power and control. Coming forward is the first step on the path to healing, and you do not have to go through it alone.
What to do if you have been sexually assaulted:
- Find a safe environment away from your attacker.
- Preserve evidence of the incident. Put clothing in a PAPER bag; do not eat, drink, use the bathroom, shower, bathe or douche.
- Seek immediate medical care. Even if you do not feel comfortable reporting to police, seek medical attention for any injuries.
- Utilize the First Responder Network for support and information on other resources and services, 301-904-2015.
- Look into follow-up mental health care through campus Counseling Services, 240-895-4289 or ext. 4289.
- File a formal report of the incident to Public Safety (240-895-4911 or ext. 4911) or local law enforcement (911).
Contact one of the following offices if you are the victim of a sexual assault:
- Counseling Services provides confidential services to students. To reach Counseling Services during regular business hours please call ext. 4289. During academic terms and after regular business hours a member of the Counseling Services staff can be reached by contacting either Public Safety (ext. 4911) or a member of the Residence Life staff and asking to have a Counselor contacted.
- The First Responder Network provides on-call peer advocates for students who are unsure of their options and resources. The First Responder Network can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the school year at 301-904-2015.
- A report can be filed with Public Safety (ext. 4911). If no further measures are desired at the time, the process can end there and Public Safety will keep the report on file.
- A complaint can be filed within the College judicial system (ext. 4209) for disciplinary action against a St. Mary's College student assailant. This can be done along with criminal prosecution or instead of it.
- A criminal report can be filed with the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office. Remember, in filing a criminal report, it is important to preserve physical evidence and obtain a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) at a hospital within 72 hours of the incident. At any time after a report is made, it may be withdrawn from further action.
For more information, see the "Sexual Assault Policy" in the student handbook, To The Point 2009-2010.
