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Sexual Assault and Interpersonal Violence Resources
How to Help a Friend as a Sexual Assault Victim
Discrimination
Complaints or notice of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct may be made internally to:
Robert Brak
Title IX Coordinator
Director of HR & Development
1704 Market Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
304-214-8901
rbrak@wvncc.edu
www.wvncc.edu/offices-and-services/title-ix-/5251
Chris Kefauver
Deputy Coordinator for Academic Affairs
ckefauver@wvncc.edu
304-214-8875
Debbie Bennett
Deputy Coordinator for the New Martinsville Campus
dbennett@wvncc.edu
304-510-8761
Lisa Soly
Deputy Coordinator for the Weirton Campus
lsoly@wvncc.edu
304-723-7515
Complaints against West Virginia Northern Community College students or college community will be administered consistent with the Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Rule, Interpersonal Violence Rule, Discrimination and Harassment Rule, and all accompanying guidelines and/or procedures.
File a complaint regarding discrimination or harassment: Any member of the College community who believes he or she has been subject to discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct is encouraged to file a report immediately in accordance with the guidelines and procedures of the Harassment and Discrimination Rule.
Harassment
Any member of the College community who believes he or she has been subject to discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct is encouraged to file a report immediately in accordance with the guidelines and procedures below.
Robert Brak
Title IX Coordinator
Director of HR & Development
1704 Market Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
304-214-8901
rbrak@wvncc.edu
www.wvncc.edu/offices-and-services/title-ix-/5251
Chris Kefauver
Deputy Coordinator for Academic Affairs
ckefauver@wvncc.edu
304-214-8875
Debbie Bennett
Deputy Coordinator for the New Martinsville Campus
dbennett@wvncc.edu
304-510-8761
Lisa Soly
Deputy Coordinator for the Weirton Campus
lsoly@wvncc.edu
304-723-7515
Cyber Harassment: If you experience or witness cyber harassment to or by a member of the College community, contact the Title IX Coordinator, Robert Brak, at 304-214-8901, rbrak@wvncc.edu or in the Human Resourced Department on the Wheeling Campus.
If you are being bullied, stalked or harassed using cell phones, computers or other technology off campus, contact the Service Provider of the harasser at abuse@_____ (insert the internet service provider name). For example, if someone is harassing you over Twitter, you would email the complaint to abuse@twitter.com.
Get more information regarding Cyber Harassment and Safety from the following resources:
Sexual Assault
If you have been assaulted: Go to a safe place. For your own protection, call the police immediately, especially if the assailant is still in the immediate area. The police will help you whether or not you choose to prosecute the assailant. Call a friend or family member for support.
Seek medical attention immediately. The primary purpose of a medical examination following a sexual assault is to check for physical injury, the presence of sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy as a result of the sexual assault. The secondary purpose of a medical examination is to aid in the police investigation and legal proceedings. So get medical attention as quickly as possible.
Do not wash. Don’t bathe or douche. Bathing or douching might be the first thing you want to do. You might literally be washing away valuable evidence. Wait until you have an examination.
Preserve all physical evidence. Save your clothing. It is alright to change clothes. But save what you were wearing. Your clothing could be used as evidence for prosecution. Place each item of clothing in a separate paper bag for police.
It is up to you, but reporting a sexual assault isn’t the same thing as prosecuting a sexual assault. Prosecution can be determined later. Contact police by calling 911.
College Administrators are willing and able to assist complainants in getting them information on how to report incidents to the proper authorities. If you are a complainant of an interpersonal violence and decide not to notify the police, please secure medical attention. The College will assist the complainant by providing a list of supporting agencies. You are not required to notify the police or the College.
For your own protection, call the police immediately, especially if the assailant is still in the immediate area. The police will help you whether or not you choose to prosecute the assailant. Call a friend or family member for support.It is up to you, but reporting a sexual assault isn’t the same thing as prosecuting a sexual assault. Prosecution can be determined later. Contact police by calling 911.
Campus Safety Executive Team: Janet Fike 304- 214-8845, Jeff Sayre 304-214-8809
Title IX Administrator: Robert Brak 304-214-8901
| New Martinsville | Weirton | Wheeling |
|
For Medical Assistance: Wetzel County Hospital New Martinsville Health Care Center |
For Medical Assistance: Weirton Medical Center Hancock County Health Dept. Brooke County Health Dept. |
For Medical Assistance: Wheeling Hospital Ohio County Health Department |
|
To Report Crime: City Police County Sheriff State Police Counselor |
To Report Crime: City Police Brooke County Sheriff Hancock County Sheriff Counselor |
To Report Crime: City Police County Sheriff State Police Campus Security Liaison |
|
For Support Services: Rape and Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Help Center After 4 p.m. and on weekends |
For Support Services: Healthways Sexual Assault Center After 4 p.m. and on weekends |
For Support Services: Sexual Assault Help Center After 4 p.m. and on weekends Tri-County Help Center |
If you have information regarding, suspect, or have witnessed an assault:
In compliance with state reporting mandates, all employees who become aware of or suspect child abuse, sexual abuse of minors, and/or criminal acts against minors will report that information to a College Administrator, who will report suspected cases of child abuse to Child Protective Services and a law enforcement agency immediately, and within not more than 48 hours. Clery Act reporting of offenses for statistical purposes occurs whether victims are minors or adult.
- Criminal Offenses
- Criminal homicide: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, manslaughter by negligence
- Sexual assault: rape, fondling, incest, statutory rape
- Robbery
- Aggravated assault
- Burglary
- Motor vehicle theft
- Arson
- Hate Crimes (any of the above mentioned offenses, and any incidents of)
- Larceny-theft
- Simple assault
- Intimidation
- Destruction/damage/vandalism of property
- VAWA Offenses
- Domestic violence
- Dating violence
- Stalking
- Arrests and Referrals for Disciplinary Action
- Weapons law violations
- Drug abuse violations
- Liquor law violations
How to Help a Friend
When someone has been sexually assaulted, he or she may turn to a friend for support, counsel, or guidance. The victim is sharing this information because he or she needs support, trusts, and feels comfortable confiding in a friend; being able to properly and confidentially support a friend will be very helpful in his or her recovery.
When a person is sexually assaulted, the power to control his or her will and body has been taken from them. Be sure to allow your friend to have control over the conversation and over his or her actions. Offer helpful information and let your friend make the decisions regarding what steps he or she feels are best. Regardless of whether you agree with your friend’s decisions, supporting them will help him/her feel that he/she is regaining some control and power so that they are better able to regain a sense of power, control, and safety. Once he or she feels more in control, your friend will be in a better position to make sound decisions.
A sexual assault that occurred in the past few days:
In this situation, there are some urgent and sensitive choices that your friend will need to make. Medical attention given within the first 2 to 5 days could make it possible to collect evidence (the purpose of which can be decided at a later time), prevent the development of some sexually transmitted infections, and, if your friend is a female, prevent pregnancy. Collecting physical evidence must occur within 96 hours (4 days) of the assault. Even if your friend does not want to file charges at the moment, it is important to collect evidence while possible so that decisions can be made at a later time. Emergency contraception taken within the first 120 hours (5 days) of the assault can prevent pregnancy. And treatments to prevent the possible development of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections can be helpful if given within 72 hours. Screening for sedative or date rape drugs can be done within 12 (optimal) to 72 hours after the incident. It is important that you inform your friend of this information, provide options regarding transportation, locations and support, and then let him or her decide what steps to take or not take.
WVNCC students can find a list of agencies and hospitals here. You can call to get information for your friend without giving their name. For more information about what to do immediately after a sexual assault click here.
My friend doesn’t feel safe:
Your friend may feel physically or emotionally unsafe. If your friend needs immediate medical attention, is at risk for another attack, is suicidal, or at risk of hurting themselves or others you should call Campus Security at 304.650-9994. If you are off campus, call 911.
If your friend is not in immediate danger, help them think about what changes, if any, they would like to make that will help them feel safer. They may want to consider a change in their physical surroundings or how they interact with people. There is support available to help your friend think about ways to feel safer and decide if they want a restraining order or seek protective measures at the College. You or your friend can speak, confidentiallyto a member of the Title IX Team:
Robert Brak
Title IX Coordinator
Director of HR & Development
1704 Market Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
304-214-8901
rbrak@wvncc.edu
www.wvncc.edu/offices-and-services/title-ix-/5251
Chris Kefauver
Deputy Coordinator for Academic Affairs
ckefauver@wvncc.edu
304-214-8875
Debbie Bennett
Deputy Coordinator for the New Martinsville Campus
dbennett@wvncc.edu
304-510-8761
Lisa Soly
Deputy Coordinator for the Weirton Campus
lsoly@wvncc.edu
304-723-7515
Should my friend report the sexual assault to the police?
Whether the assault happened recently or a long time ago, your friend may consider reporting the assault to the police and/or West Virginia Northern Community College. Reporting the incident is a personal, difficult decision that can only be made the person who has been assaulted. Avoid pressuring your friend to report the incident. You or your friend can confidentially discuss reporting options, and what it may be like to report, with the Sexual Assault Help Center (304-234-1783) or by calling the Sexual Assault Help Hotline, available 24-hours a day (800-884-7242). If your friend wants to report the crime, they can notify:
- Police: call 911 or your local police number (find them here)
- WVNCC Office of Security and Safety at 304-650-9994
- WVNCC Title IX Coordinator, Robert Brak 304-214-8901
- Any WVNCC College Administrator
For some, reporting the crime can help regain a sense of personal power and control. Click here to learn more about various reporting options.
How can I help my friends be aware of danger?
There is no accurate stereotype of someone who could commit sexual assault. Aside from those who have previously been convicted of a sexually violent crime, there is no gender, race, sexual orientation, level of education, or conducts that will always indicate that someone is a rapist or sexual offender. However, there are common tactics and behaviors that could help you to recognize a potentially dangerous relationship.
Common tactics of offenders include:
- Planning and preparation, including establishing a sense of trust with a potential victim
- Assessing someone’s vulnerability as a means of identifying a potential victim. (i.e. seeking out a first year student or someone who appears socially isolated)
- Testing boundaries by pushing someone to their comfortable limit physically and/or emotionally
- Using alcohol or other drugs to create vulnerability
- Using language that diminishes the severity or criminality of rape
- Attempting to weaken the credibility and reputation of a victim
- Afterwards, denying the harm caused by calling the assault consensual and/or by continuing to contact the victim
How does someone react after a sexual assault?
Survivors have complicated reactions to this experience. It’s important to listen to what they have to say without judgment. If you analyze what happened or ask questions about the victim’s behavior, you may unintentionally cause your friend to blame themselves and shut down. Because the brain stores traumatic memories differently from normal memories, it’s very common for people who have experienced trauma to have gaps in memory and/or be unable to relate the experience in a chronological way.
Sexual assault is a traumatic event and survivors will have similar reactions as those who have been through other types of trauma. Some research has found that sexual assault and combat exposure are the two types of trauma most likely to cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Your friend may feel in shock, trying to forget or act like nothing has happened, or feel numb. While some people experience an overwhelming amount of emotions immediately after an assault, others find that days, months, or even years pass before feelings surface. Emotions that may surface include sadness, guilt, powerlessness, hopelessness, embarrassment, shame, anger, and fear. There may be periods when a person is preoccupied with thoughts and feelings about the assault. They may have unwanted memories, flashbacks or nightmares.
Since most often the perpetrator is known to the victim, many survivors will find it difficult to trust other people thereafter. Remember the following:
- It’s normal for survivors to have a range of reactions, including depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal, and impaired memory.
- Some survivors will use alcohol or other drugs to attempt to numb the pain or forget.
- Victims who knew the offender may have longer recovery periods.
If you want to read more about common reactions click here.
What if my friend is male?
Gender stereotypes about men and boys may make it particularly difficult for men to seek support. If your male friend has shared with you that he has been sexually assaulted it’s important that you believe him, avoid reinforcing gender stereotypes about men and boys, and understand how he may react to the incident. Many people believe that only women are victims of sexual assault. According to The West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information Services, 1 in 6 men will be sexually assaulted in his lifetime.
Although most perpetrators of sexual assault against men are male, women are offenders as well. A male assaulted by another male may question his sexuality and struggle with internalized homophobia. Research has consistently found that male and female victims experience similar effects: fear, anger, shame, isolation, substance abuse, low self-esteem, depression and issues with sexuality. Men may be more likely to outwardly express their anger and use substances to cope with difficult emotions; but, like all survivors, individual reactions will vary depending on many factors such as personal history and support from family and friends. The stereotype that men and boys are supposed to be tough, in control, and unemotional minimizes the trauma that male survivors experience.
Tips for Helping a Friend
Validate Feelings and Believe Them
Reassure them that the incident was not their fault and that their feelings are completely normal. Let your friend know that you believe them and that you understand how devastating sexual assault is. Limit the number of questions you ask as this can make a person feel as if you doubt them or that they need to prove what happened.
Avoid questions that could imply blame such as:
- “Why did you go to that room?”
- “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
- “Why didn’t you fight them off?”
Use open-ended questions such as “How are feeling?” or “What can I do to help?” Give your friend time and space to share with you as they are ready to do so.
Listen
One of the greatest gifts you can give a friend is your ability to listen. Avoid judging, giving advice, and sharing your opinions. Some survivors will want to talk more than others. Let your friend know that you are available to listen when they are ready to talk.
Do not confront an alleged offender
While it is normal to be angry at the person accused of hurting your friend, confronting this person can result in the offender escalating behavior (retaliation) against the victim.
Protect your friend’s privacy
It is important that you get permission from your friend before you talk to anyone about what they have shared with you. Your friend has confided in you because they trust you. If you talk to another person about the incident, your friend may feel betrayed. At the same time, you may find it difficult to maintain your friend’s privacy because the incident is upsetting to you. You can seek support from one of the resources listed here without identifying the victim.
Take care of yourself
When someone you care about is hurt, it is normal to feel angry, sad and powerless. As a friend, it is also common to experience many of the same reactions a survivor does. Consider getting support with how you are feeling. Processing your feelings with the person who has been sexually assaulted can be overwhelming to them and may exacerbate their trauma.
Believe in the possibility of healing
Let your friend know that you believe that they have the strength and the capacity to heal. People are resilient; they will recover from the trauma of sexual assault.
REACTIONS TO VICTIMIZATION:
EMOTIONAL
- Feelings of vulnerability
- Helplessness, self-blame and criticism
- Loss of trusting relationships
- Anxiety/phobias
- Depression
- Difficulty with anger and aggression
- Fear of re-victimization
- Increased fear or terror (often seemingly irrational)
- Guilt, shame, grief, anxiety or depression
- Mood swings
- Social withdrawal
PHYSICAL
- Nightmares
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Generally feeling badly
- Inability to concentrate and class work may suffer
- Stress related illnesses such as nausea, diarrhea, and hives
- Hyperactivity
- Lowered immunity
- Increased alcohol consumption or drug use
COGNITIVE REACTIONS
- Forgetfulness
- Lack of concentration
- Memory loss (especially related to the traumatic event)
- Episodes of flackbacks
- Decline in academics
Additional Resources
YWCA Emergency Safe Shelter, Wheeling
WV Domestic Violence Resources
WV Foundation for Rape Information and Services
*In compliance with state reporting mandates, all employees who become aware of or suspect child abuse, sexual abuse of minors, and/or criminal acts against minors will report that information to a member of the Title IX Team, who will report suspected cases of child abuse to Child Protective Services and a law enforcement agency immediately, and within not more than 48 hours. Clery Act reporting of offenses for statistical purposes occurs whether victims are minors or adult.
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