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Sexual Assault

A victim is never responsible for a crime. Perpetrators are responsible for sexual assaults. Perpetrators take advantage of vulnerability and seek opportunities to commit sexual assaults. It is NOT your fault.

Safety Tips

Follow the safety tips provided on Violent Crimes and the additional tips listed below.

  • Define your sexual limits and practice being assertive about your boundaries.

  • Do not feel obligated to do anything you do not want to do.

  • If you have been the victim of a sexual assault or dating violence, TELL SOMEONE.

  • Do not let peer pressure influence the amount of alcohol you drink.

  • The best defenses against sexual assaults are alertness and awareness.

Preservation of Evidence

If you are the victim of a rape or sexual assault, get to a safe place as soon as you can. Then you should:

  • Try to preserve all physical evidence – do not bathe, douche, use the toilet or change clothing.

  • Notify the police – even if you are unsure about filing charges – or contact Designated Campus Offices to Receive Crime Reports.

  • Get medical attention as soon as possible. The police will assist you with this.

  • Call a close friend, resident assistant (RA) or other trusted person who can be with you during your interview with the police.

  • Use the victim-assistance services off-campus and/or community agencies. The University will change a victim's academic and living situations after an alleged sex offense if those changes are requested and are reasonably available.

Local hospitals have Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). A SANE is a registered nurse who completed additional education and training to provide comprehensive health care to survivors of sexual assault.

In order to offer comprehensive care, the role of the SANE includes evaluating and treating the patient in a holistic way, being mindful of both the acute and long-term consequences of sexual violence victimization.

Purdue’s Center for Advocacy, Response and Education (CARE) provides a series of workshops to combat personal violence, including Boiler Up and Intervene and Healthy Relationships.