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VAWA: A Resource Guide for Students on Sexual Misconduct

If You Have Experienced Sexual Misconduct

1. Go to a safe location as soon as you are able.

2. Seek immediate medical attention if you are injured, or believe you may have been exposed to an STI/STD, or may be pregnant.

3. Contact any of the following for immediate assistance:

  • Title IX Coordinator at 402-375-7289, 24 hours/7 days a week
  • Campus Security at 402-375-7216, 24 hours/7 days a week
  • Campus Health Services at 402-375-7470. Regular business hours, Monday through Friday*
  • Counseling Center at 402-375-7321. Regular business hours, Monday through Friday (24/7 through Campus Security)*
  • Haven House Family Services Center. 24-Hour Crisis Line 1-800-440-4633
  • RAINN National Sexual Assault 24-Hour Hotline 1-800-656-4673.
    *Denotes that this resource is confidential.

Note that campus officials may contact on-call staff from other departments when their offices are closed or they are otherwise unavailable to assist immediately.

If you are experiencing an emergency situation, you can call the Police Department, County Sheriff, or Fire and Rescue by dialing 911. If in Wayne, you may also call the Wayne Police Department’s non-emergency line at 402-375-2626, and, if in South Sioux City, you may also call the city/county non-emergency line at 402-494-7512.

4. It is important to preserve physical evidence that may include tissue and fluid samples, evidence of violence, sheets, towels, clothing, etc. You may choose to avoid washing, bathing, urinating, etc., until after being examined at the hospital, if possible. Because evidence of a sexual assault can deteriorate quickly, you may choose to seek a medical exam as soon as possible. Evidence collection should be completed within 120 hours of an assault, but fluids, hair samples, and DNA can be collected for a long time thereafter. Even if you have washed, evidence can often still be obtained. After 120 hours, it may still be helpful to have medical attention, even if you are not trying to obtain evidence of an assault. Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) are trained in the collection of forensic evidence and can check for injuries and exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. If you are still wearing any clothes worn during the assault, wear them to the hospital, but bring a change of clothes, as the hospital will keep the clothes you are wearing as evidence. If you have changed clothes, bring the ones you were wearing during the assault to the hospital in a clean paper (not plastic) bag or a wrapped in a clean sheet. Leave sheets/towels at the scene of the assault. Police will collect them. Typically, police will be called to the hospital to take custody of the rape kit, but it is up to you whether you wish to speak with them or file a criminal complaint.

5. Choose how to proceed. You have options and are encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator or a campus counselor to discuss your options: 1) Do nothing until you are ready; 2) Pursue resolution by the College; and/or 3) Initiate criminal proceedings; and/or 4) Initiate a civil process against the perpetrator. You may pursue whatever combination of options is best for you. If you wish to have an incident investigated and resolved by the College, you should contact the Title IX Coordinator. College procedures will be explained. Those who wish incidents to be handled criminally should contact the local police where the assault occurred. A campus official is available to accompany students in making such reports, if desired. Contact the Title IX Coordinator for more information.