If You Have Experienced Relationship or Sexual Violence

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If you have experienced sexual violence, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking, you are not alone. We are committed to supporting you.

We encourage you to seek support, and we offer options so that you can choose what feels right to you.

If you are not sure what steps you wish to take, consider speaking with a Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center counselor for confidential personal assistance and help understanding and choosing between your options. Please email the RSVP Center or call the Administrative Assistant at 314-935-3445 Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Talk to someone

  • If you need immediate medical care or are in danger, please call 314-935-5555 if you are on campus or 911 if you are off-campus.
  • The Sexual Assault and Rape Anonymous Helpline (SARAH) at 314-935-8080. Peer counselors at SARAH provide crisis counseling 24/7 during the academic year (Fall-Spring semesters)
  • A counselor at the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center at 314-935-3445. The RSVP Center is located in Seigle Hall, Suite 435, or  email at rsvpcenter@wustl.eduA counselor is available 24/7 to go with you to the hospital or police if you choose. After business hours the RSVP Center can be accessed through SARAH at 314-935-8080 (during the academic year), or through WUPD at 314-935-5555.
  • You may also access TimelyCare, an online resource available to most students.
  • A friend

Confidential

Confidential resources are people who you will be able to speak with who will not report your situation to the university or anyone else without your consent except in cases of imminent harm.

  • RSVP Center counseling staff provide crisis counseling, personal assistance, and can help you determine what next steps you wish to take. Contact them at rsvpcenter@wustl.edu, 314-935-3445 or in person in Seigle Hall Room 435. They are available 24/7 to go with you to the hospital or police if you choose. After business hours they can be accessed through, SARAH peer counseling (during the academic year), Provident WashU at 314-935-6666, WUPD at 314-935-5555 (year-round).
  • During the academic year, a peer sexual assault and rape counselor through the Sexual Assault and Rape Anonymous Helpline (SARAH) at 314-935-8080. SARAH provides peer crisis counseling 24/7 during the fall and spring semesters.
  • A counselor, through The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services at Habif at 314-935-6666, Option 2, or via the student health portal, or off campus. If you are on the Medical Campus, contact Medical School Student Health Services – Dr. Gladys Smith, 314-273-2111.
  • During the academic year, a peer counselor through Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling and Resource Center at 314-935-5099. Uncle Joe’s is available via phone 24/7 and in person in the basement of Gregg residential hall from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. every night during the academic year, excluding university holidays and breaks.
  • Religious, Spiritual & Ethical Life provides spiritual support to students of any/no religious background. You may contact Rev. Callista Isabelle, Director, or one of our affiliated ministers for support.
  • A member of the clergy.

Nonconfidential

Nonconfidential resources are trained to know resources and can provide assistance but must report the sexual assault, rape, relationship violence and stalking incidents to the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office.

  • The police: call WUPD at 314-935-5555 (on campus) or 911 (off campus) or activate a blue-light emergency telephone; for Medical Campus students, call WUSM Protective Services at 314-362-4357. Learn about WUPD’s response to sexual violence.
  • The Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office at 314-935-3393 or Umrath Hall, room 001. The Office is available to ensure you have the support you need, and to address any issues you choose to report, quickly, effectively, respectfully and based on your personal preferences.
  • Residential Life staff
  • Any member of the Washington University community you feel comfortable confiding in can assist you in making the appropriate contacts. (All faculty and most staff members are “responsible employees,” required to report incidents to the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office.)

Get medical attention

Even if you feel anxious or uncomfortable, and even if you do not intend to make a report, it is very important to receive medical assistance. Members of hospital staff are accustomed to dealing with sexual assault injuries, for all victims, regardless of gender or type of injury. Even if you don’t seem seriously hurt, you may have hidden internal injuries or be at risk for sexually transmitted infections that need medical attention.

If the sexual assault has occurred in the last five days, we encourage you to seek treatment at a comprehensive care facility, such as Barnes/Jewish Hospital (Barnes/Jewish MAP) or St. Mary’s Health Center (St. Mary’s MAP), that has a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) (a nurse who has been trained to give specialized medical care for a victim of sexual assault and to gather forensic evidence if desired) who can provide the best possible care and options to you. Staff at the RSVP Center can help arrange this and provide support. Other area hospitals offer specially trained professionals as well. Additionally, for victims of dating or domestic violence that did not involve sexual assault, Saint Louis University Hospital (SLU Hospital MAP) offers forensic exams specific to these injuries.

Forensic Exams

A forensic exam involves a collection of important evidence including fluid samples, clothing, nail clippings, hair, pictures of injured areas, etc. Learn what to expect from a SANE/forensic exam.

If you want a forensic examination, do not shower, drink, eat, brush your teeth or change your clothes. These activities can destroy physical evidence that could be useful if you decide to prosecute. However, if you have already done so (which is a perfectly normal response), you should still seek medical care. These activities do not necessarily prevent the collection of evidence, and your physical well-being is most important.

Care at Habif Health and Wellness Center

All Habif Health and Wellness Center staff are a confidential resource and will not report the assault to the university without your consent. All Habif staff have yearly training in delivering trauma informed, culturally sensitive health care and can offer professional and compassionate care and counseling, as well as access to free medications to prevent STI’s and pregnancy if appropriate. Habif is not equipped to perform forensic exams and we encourage you to seek this type of exam at a hospital. Habif or RSVP staff can help arrange this.

To facilitate a physical evaluation at Habif, it is easiest to call our triage nurse (314)935-6677 who can arrange a same day appointment with one of our providers. This visit will not be billed to insurance and medications will be free of charge. It is important to note that while we offer free medications for certain STIs and pregnancy, we cannot offer free STI testing and would refer you to a community resource for that service.

Urgent/same day medical and mental health assessments are available. Please call our triage lines:
(314)935-6695 (mental health)
(314)935-6677 (medical)
Alternatively, call RSVP center at: (314)935-3445 to access/coordinate care.

All of our counseling and psychological services providers are familiar with and incorporate the principles of trauma-informed care in their work with sexual assault survivors. Trauma Informed Care is a treatment framework that involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma.

To schedule a non urgent appointment with any of our counseling and psychological services providers, please access the student health portal. For urgent concerns, call our mental health triage line at (314)935-6695.

Get other assistance

No Contact Order

A no contact order is an order issued by the university to a student, which outlines the expectation that they would have no contact with a specified student(s). Additional parameters may be outlined in a no contact order as well (i.e. arranged hours for shared spaces). The obtainment of a no contact order does not necessitate a formal report through the university or the criminal system, but rather requires a reasonable request by a student to the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office. This request can be facilitated by a counselor at the RSVP Center. A violation of a no contact order can result in further consequences by the university. To request a no contact order, reach out to the RSVP Center or the staff at the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office.

Order of protection

The option of obtaining a court order of protection (restraining order) is available 24/7. Orders of protection require an application which must be reviewed and approved by a judge. After business hours, there is always a judge on call. WUPD or RSVP staff can help facilitate obtaining an order of protection through the court system.

For further information, contact the WUPD police department at 314-935-5555 the RSVP Center at 314-935-3445 (after hours through WUPD or SARAH at 314-935-8080 during the academic year).

Housing accommodations

All WashU students, including graduate students, are entitled to alternate housing as a reasonable accommodation, regardless of whether or not they currently live in WashU housing, Quadrangle housing or in private off-campus housing. To request housing accommodations, contact the RSVP Center or the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office.

Academic accommodations

Anyone who has experienced sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking can request assistance with reasonable academic accommodations from the RSVP Center or the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office; it is not necessary to make a report to receive this assistance.

Any party, witness or person supporting someone involved in a USHIB investigation or other Title IX investigation can request assistance with reasonable academic accommodations from the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office.

Temporary course/classroom assignment changes can also be made.

Other Accommodations

Other accommodations, such as changes to work hours, transportation assistance and referrals to off-campus counseling, are also available by contacting the RSVP Center or the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office.

Community Resources

Hospitals

Hotlines & Advocacy

  • YWCA Rape Crisis Hotline
    314-531-7273
  • YWCA Women’s Resource Center
    314-726-6665
    Can answer questions or concerns about sexual assault in nonemergency circumstances
  • Safe Connections
    314-531-2003
    24-hour crisis helpline. Specializes in providing free one-on-one counseling and support services for survivors of sexual assault and relationship violence and is located near the Washington University campus, in a secure location, on a Metro bus line.
  • TransLifeLine
    877-565-8860
    A hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people. Trans Lifeline volunteers are ready to respond to whatever support needs members of our community might have.
  • Metro Trans Umbrella Group
    314-270-2155
    Provides support groups for trans people and their loved ones, referrals to trans-friendly service providers, and training on trans issues
  • Crime Victims’ Advocacy Center
    314-652-3623
    24-hour hotline service. Provides resources, counseling, advocacy and referral for victims of crime and their families
  • Kansas City Anti-Violence Project
    816-561-0550
    LGBT support and resources
  • Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
    573-634-4161
    Educational and crisis resources

Shelters for Domestic Violence Survivors in St. Louis

  • Alive (Alternatives to Living in a Violent Environment)
    Temporary emergency sanctuary and transportation to victims of domestic violence, 24 hours, 365 days a year. The Night of Safety program provides short-term emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence who need to immediately leave their living situations. Alive also provides counseling, safety planning, referrals, and legal advocacy.
    314-993-7080
    24-hour Crisis Hotline: 314-993-2777
  • Kathy Weinman Center
    Offers temporary and emergency shelter for women as well as court advocacy, professional therapy for women and children, and support groups. Follow-up supportive services available.
    314-423-1117
  • St. Martha’s Hall
    Confidential shelter for abused women and their children only. Services include individual and group counseling, legal advocacy, information, referral, and follow up. Clients must be female victims of domestic violence, 18 years old and up. The Hall does not admit males older than 13 years of age. Stays can be up to four months.
    P.O. Box 4950, St. Louis 63108
    314-533-1313 (available 24/7)
  • Women’s Safe House
    A shelter for battered women and their children. Services include legal advocacy, housing referrals, support groups, children’s programs, and limited transportation. Utilizes restorative justice practices.
    314-772-4535 (24 Hour Crisis Hotline)

*You can find a more comprehensive list of advocacy organizations and services through the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Resources List​.

Online/National Resources

  • Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
    Information and resources and facilitation of the National Sexual Assault Hotline (above). Online chat available.
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline
    1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

    Provides free and confidential support and advice 24/7. Online​ chat hotline service available.
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    1-800-799-SAFE (7233), 1-800-787-3224
    24 hour support for survivors of sexual and relationship violence available in over 170 languages
  • LEAD Institute
    1-800-380-3323 (Voice/TTY)​
    24 hour crisis line for deaf/hard of hearing individuals
  • The LGBT National Help Center
    1-888-THE-GLNH (843-4564)
    HOURS: Monday thru Friday from 1-9 p.m., pacific time . (Monday thru Friday from 3-11 p.m., central time). Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., pacific time . (Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., central time)
  • The Trevor Project
    866-488-7386
    LGBT crisis intervention and suicide prevention services. 24/7 text and chat also available.
  • TransLifeLine
    877-565-8860 ​
    A hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people. Trans Lifeline volunteers are ready to respond to whatever support needs members of our community might have.
  • NOMSV (National Organization on Male Sexual Victimization)
    Nonprofit dedicated to healing male survivors of sexual abuse and assault
  • National Sexual Violence Resource Center​
    Provides information and resources about sexual assault and prevention​
  • FORGE Forward Guide (PDF)
    Access therapy and resources for trans survivors

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