FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact or behavior that occurs without a person's consent.

What is consent?
Consent is a voluntary, informed, and ongoing agreement to participate in sexual activity. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Can someone consent if they are intoxicated?
A person who is incapacitated due to alcohol or drugs cannot legally or ethically provide consent.

Do I have to report to law enforcement?
No. In many situations, reporting is a personal decision. Survivors often have multiple options, including confidential advocacy, counseling, medical care, campus reporting, or choosing not to report.

Can I receive medical care without making a police report?
Yes. Our local hospitals allow survivors to receive medical treatment and discuss evidence collection without filing a police report.

Should I shower before going to the hospital?
If you are considering a forensic medical exam, avoiding bathing, changing clothes, eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth beforehand may help preserve evidence. However, if you have already done these things, you can still receive medical care and discuss your options.

What if I don't remember everything that happened?
Memory changes are common after trauma. A person's brain may remember events out of order or gradually recall details over time.

Why didn't I fight back?
Many people experience automatic survival responses such as freezing or becoming physically unable to move or speak. This is a normal biological response to trauma.

Is it normal to have mixed emotions after an assault?
Yes. Survivors may experience sadness, fear, anger, guilt, shame, numbness, confusion, relief, or many emotions at once. There is no "right" way to respond.

Why do some people wait to report?
Survivors may delay reporting because of fear, shame, confusion, concern about not being believed, relationship dynamics, safety concerns, or needing time to process the experience.

Will I ever feel like myself again?
Healing is different for every person. Recovery is not linear, but many survivors find healing and regain a sense of safety and well-being over time with support.

Will my parents find out?
If you ae over the age of 18, parents will not be notified without your consent.

What if drug/alcohol were involved?
Consent is consent only when an individual is capable of giving consent. Drugs & alcohol do not give permission for another person to assault you. Intoxication does not play a part in how your situation is addressed both with prosecution and with treatment & advocacy.

Can men get support?
Sexual assault is not exclusive to women, and neither is treatment. Any individual who has been violated has treatment available to them both in the SASS office and with their advocacy in working with other departments.