Some common forms of sexual violence include:
- Sexual Assault: Any unwanted sexual contact, including touching, kissing, fondling or penetration of the mouth, vagina, or anus with a finger, penis or object. Assault is performed without consent, often through the use or threat of force or through intentionally rendering the victim incapable of consent through the use of alcohol or drugs.
- Rape: Any kind of sexual intercourse (penetration) - vaginal, oral, or anal - that is committed against a person's will or is committed with physical force or the threat of force. Intercourse that takes place when the victim is drunk, unconscious or otherwise considered unable to consent is also rape. Rape is a subcategory of sexual assault.
- Consent: Consent cannot legally be given if an individual is under the age of 18, is incapacitated due to alcohol or other drugs, is unconscious or asleep, or has limited mental capacity. Consent is a clear yes, not the absence of no.
While sexual assault can be perpetrated by a stranger, it is more commonly committed by someone the victim knows, such as a friend, boyfriend/girlfriend/partner or acquaintance. Because assault usually occurs with someone the victim knows and while one or both parties are under the influence of alcohol, victims often blame themselves and do not identify it as sexual assault. Often the victim will not tell anyone about it and if they do tell someone, 80% of the time they will seek support from a peer before they will seek help from a professional (Wandrei, 2003).
Counseling Center staff are trained to assist victims in healing from the trauma of sexual assault. Your contacts with us are confidential and you will be given support to help you heal and freedom to make your own decisions about reporting to law enforcement. You may contact us during regular business hours at 414-288-7172 to make an appointment or in an emergency you can reach the on-call counselor by calling Public Safety at 414-288-6800 and asking them to page us. We can talk with you and help you decide what to do next.
If you have been sexually assaulted: Emergency
- As soon as you can, get to a safe place
- Do not blame yourself, this is not your fault
- Seek medical attention immediately: Not all injuries may be evident to you, so for your well-being it is recommended that you receive a medical exam as soon as possible following the assault. You may be seen any time, day or night, at the Sexual Assault Treatment Center at Aurora Sinai Medical Center, 414-219-5555
- You may also receive confidential treatment at Student Health Services on campus, 414-288-7184
- In order to save evidence for DNA collection:
- Save all clothing you had on at the time of the assault
- Save any sheets, blankets or towels you came in contact with during or after the assault
- Try not to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth
- Try not to go to the bathroom
- Do not bathe, wash, shower or douche until you have been seen for medical care
- You do not need to decide at this time whether you want to pursue legal action but if you save the evidence, it offers you more options in the future when you are better able to decide.
HANDOUTS
RESOURCES ON CAMPUS
- Public Safety:
Emergency 414-288-1911
Non-emergency 414-288-6800
Offers trained responders who can provide support and information about legal options and protective orders. You do not have to file a report.
- Campus Ministry:
Provides spiritual support and counseling.
414-288-6873
- Student Health Services:
414-288-7184
- Sue Cooper
Coordinator of Sexual Violence
and Advocacy Services
Student Health Service
414-288-5244
- Counseling Center
414-288-7172
-
414-288-5244
RESOURCES OFF CAMPUS
- Sexual Assault Treatment Center (SATC): 414-219-5555 (24 hours)
Medical assessment & treatment, emotional support and counseling, medical and legal evidence collection, screening for pregnancy and STD's.
- The Healing Center: 414-671-4325
Support groups, individual counseling and advocacy. Services are free and confidential.
- Milwaukee Police Department:
Emergency: 911
Sensitive Crimes: 414-935-7400
- Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office: 414-278-4617
Provides legal advocacy.
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center is dedicated to promoting the psychological health of students at Marquette University. We offer mental health services to be able to respond to the emotional and career exploration needs of undergraduate, graduate and professional college students, and the prevention resources to reinforce healthy development.