USI » USI Emergency Preparedness

SEXUAL ASSAULT

On Campus
Everyone can and should take precautions to prevent victimization. Trust your instincts. This includes increasing your knowledge of potentially dangerous situations, avoiding them when possible, and being prepared to deal with them as they are recognized. Some suggestions for improving safety are:

· Lock your room/apartment even if you are just going out for a few minutes.
· Walk with others - use the "buddy system."
· Arrange for rides and/or use the USI Security Shuttle.
· Lock your car and park in well-lighted areas.
· Know where your car is parked so you can go directly to it and always have key out and ready.
· If the car breaks down, raise the hood, put on the emergency lights, and lock the doors. Wait for some one to stop and offer help; stay in your locked car and ask them to call the police or a tow service.
· Avoid hitchhiking and hitchhikers due to the obvious high risk involved.
· Know the person you go out with.
· Casual acquaintances can lead to dangerous situations.
· Tell a friend where you are going and with whom.

At Home
· Make sure hallways, garages, and grounds are lighted. Have key ready to open door.
· Leave a spare key with a friend rather than leaving it under the doormat or over the door.
· Lock all exterior windows and doors and pull shades or curtains after dark.
· List only last names and initials on mailbox, door, and in the phonebook.
· Do not give out personal information or make appointments with strangers over the phone.
· Do not admit strangers to your home.
· If an unexpected person approaches your door, determine identification and/or intent before opening the door.

If You Are The Victim Of Sexual Assault
· Attempt to stay calm and be alert to situations that you can exploit to your advantage. Your primary objective should be to survive the attack, and if possible, avoid serious additional injury to yourself.
· If possible, try to get away as fast as you can. If, however, you are immediately threatened, attempting to escape or fight back initially may not be possible or advisable. Remember, staying alive is your most important concern.
· Take notice of the characteristics, habits, surroundings, speech, and mannerisms of your assailant. This could enable you to deal with the assailant and perhaps talk your way out of a rape situation, or provide a means of escape. Also, this information is invaluable for the police in trying to apprehend the criminal.

If you are on campus, notify Security at extension 7777 as soon as possible and the appropriate law enforcement agency will be contacted.

Referral Service
Education on rape prevention is available through various service organizations. Involvement in programs such as these, as well as in rape crisis centers and neighborhood watch programs, contributes to a larger group effort and represents a much stronger force in the prevention of a sexual assault. Community resources and public concern, combined with informed personal prevention efforts by men and women, will do much to reduce and control this crime.

To report a sexual assault, immediately contact Security at extension 7777 and the appropriate law enforcement agency will be contacted.

Available to University employees and members of their household at no cost is CONCERN, an employee assistance program (EAP) offering counseling, referral, if necessary, and follow-up services. Call (812) 428-7267 to speak directly with a CONCERN:EAP counselor.

The University Counseling Center offers counseling and also referral, if necessary, to University students.

8600 University Boulevard - Evansville, IN 47712-3596 - 812/464-8600

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