Medical Resources
Police and Safety Services
Counseling Resources
Legal Resources
Information, Advocacy, and Support Resources

Medical Resources

University Health Services (UHS), 814-863-0774

• Confidential services include non-forensic medical evaluation and treatment to address risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection, involuntary drugging, or injuries related to the sexual assault. UHS does not collect DNA evidence to specifically assist in a legal investigation.
• Speak with the UHS advice nurse 24-hours a day, 7 days a week at 814-863-4463 or schedule an appointment online here.
•  UHS Sexual Assault Services are available regardless of the duration of time since the assault occurred. 
• Located in the Student Health Center building on Bigler Road (adjacent to the Eisenhower Parking Deck and Bank of America Career Center).

Mount Nittany Medical Center, Emergency Department, 814-234-6110, Dial 911 for ambulance

• Services include medical evaluation and treatment to address risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection, involuntary drugging, or injuries related to the incident.
• A forensic exam to collect and preserve evidence is available less than 96 hours from the incident. Within this limited timeframe, a multidisciplinary team including a registered nurse, an advocate from the Women's Resource Center and a police officer work together to provide care, treatment and emotional support; they remain with the person and are available for questions while at the ED. Options are fully explained and strict confidentiality is maintained. There is no charge for these services.[i]
• Collecting forensic evidence is important if the case goes to court, a decision that you and the District Attorney can decide about later. While it is up to the District Attorney's Office whether to proceed with a case that has been filed, they remain mindful of the victim's wishes at all points and take them into account at each step. Moreover, the District Attorney cannot have someone read the victim's police statement on their behalf in place of live testimony.
• If it has been greater than 96 hours since the sexual assault, victims are still encouraged to undergo a non-evidence collection exam to address the issue of potential sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
• All services to sexual assault victims are confidential; however, hospital personnel are required by law to report rapes to the police. The hospital will make a Jane Doe report without the victim’s name if they choose to remain anonymous.  It is the victim's choice whether or not to talk to the police.

Transportation

• Call 911 for an ambulance
• The Centre County Women's Resource Center has trained volunteers who can transport and accompany you to the hospital. Their 24-hour hotline number is 814-234-5050.
• Taxi vouchers are available from University Health Services by calling 814-863-4463.

Police and Safety Services

Penn State Police Service, 814-863-1111
State College Borough Police, 814-234-7150
University Ambulance Service, dial 911 and identify yourself as a student

Penn State Safe Walk Service, 814-865-WALK

• Provides walking accompaniment for those who feel unsafe walking alone on campus at night.
• Services are available 365 days a year from dusk to dawn.
• The service may also send a mobile escort when classes are not in session and when walkers may be unavailable. Mobile escorts, which are provided by Handy Delivery Taxi and AA Transit, Inc. are generally limited to a one-mile radius of central campus will be provided only to the residence of the caller, and will not be given to groups of three or more individuals traveling to the same location.[ii]

Safe Walk Service Schedule

Fall: 7 p.m. - 7 a.m., beginning Sunday of Labor Day weekend in September
Winter: 6 p.m. - 7 a.m., beginning Sunday of the last weekend in October
Spring: 7 p.m. - 7 a.m., beginning Sunday at the end of spring break in March
Summer: 8 p.m. - 7 a.m., beginning Sunday prior to the start of summer classes

Counseling Resources

If you have been the victim of rape or sexual assault, you may be feeling:

• a variety of strong emotions--fear, anxiety, depression, guilt, disorientation, powerlessness, shame, shock, disbelief, embarrassment, denial, anger; 
• a number of physical problems--sleep disturbances, nausea, stomach problems, change in eating habits, nightmares; 
• confused and alone, wondering if or how you should tell your family and friends; 
• that, even though the rape occurred a while ago, you would now like to talk to someone about what happened.
• Whatever your feelings, there are support services available to help you.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 814-863-0395

• Provides psychological support in crisis situations such as rape. 
• Services include both individual and group therapy.
• If you specify that it is an emergency situation or that you are in immediate crisis, you can usually be seen the same day by a staff member.
• Therapists can help you explore your options for legal action and medical care.

The Center for Women Students (CWS), 814-863-2027

• Offers information, referrals, and advocacy for sexual assault victims. 
• Provides information regarding academic options-such as the "trauma drop," a procedure for the retroactive withdrawal from semesters or dropping of courses that are available for victims of sexual violence.
• The University-wide designated sexual harassment resource person for students, regardless of sex or gender, is the Director of the Center for Women Students
• Call to make an appointment.

Centre County Women's Resource Center, 814- 234-5050, 24-hour hotline: 877-234-5050

• Provides crisis intervention and support for victims of sexual violence.
• Services include providing information, short-term counseling, referrals for longer-term counseling, and support groups for women who have been victims of sexual assault and incest. 
• Operates a shelter for women who are currently in abusive relationships and need safe housing temporarily. 
• All services are safe, professional, confidential, and free.
• Volunteers from the Center are also available to accompany you to the hospital and court proceedings.

Legal Resources

Pennsylvania Crime Victim Rights: Your Rights as a Crime Victim

This PDF explains your rights as a victim of crime and outlines the standards of service that you can expect to receive. You can search for local victim services here.

Legal Resources for On-Campus Incidents

Sexual Harassment and Assault Reporting and Education (SHARE)

• A website offering assistance in obtaining information on policy and identifying resources for victims of sexual violence and harassment. 
• Information on a victim’s options for reporting sexual assault is located here.
• Links to relevant Penn State policies are located here.

Penn State Police Victim Services Resource Officer, 814-863-0823

• The Victim Services department of the Penn State University Police is available to any student, employee or visitor who has been the victim of, or witness to a crime. 
• The Victim Resource Officer can help victims gain access to University resources as well as help them understand legal and court procedures, and accompany them to all proceedings.”[v]

Legal Resources for Off-Campus Incidents

• Evaluates and presents the state's case against accused rapists and others suspected of committing crimes.
• A Victim/Witness Advocate ensures that the victim's rights under the law are met and also accompanies the victim to court.”[vi]

Reporting Resources 

Sexual Harassment and Assault Reporting and Education (SHARE)

• Offers online and phone resources for immediate reporting.

Information, Advocacy, and Support Resources

Center for Women Students, 814-863-2027

• Offers information, referrals, and advocacy for sexual assault victims. 
• The Center provides information regarding academic options, such as the "trauma drop.”

Centre County Women's Resource Center, 814- 234-5050, 24-hour hotline: 877-234-5050

• Services include short-term counseling, referrals for longer-term counseling, and support groups to women who have been victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and incest.
• The Center arranges and pays for taxi travel to and from the hospital for women who have been victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and incest.
• The Center operates a shelter for women who are currently in abusive relationships and need safe housing temporarily.

Office of Student Conduct, 814-863-0342

• The Office of Student Conduct assists in setting standards for student behavior that help maintain a safe university environment.
• Penn State's Code of Conduct explicitly prohibits relationship violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
• The possible sanctions for these categories of behaviors ranges from disciplinary probation through expulsion.
• A victim can file a complaint against the alleged rapist and disciplinary action is taken with due process. This action can include separation of the assailant from the University and removal from University property.[iii]
• The Office of Student Conduct has the ability to issue an ‘Administrative Directive for No Contact.’ This university action prohibits a Penn State student from having contact with the person who requests the directive.[iv]
• If it is not clear where to turn for assistance, any of these offices will guide the individual to someone who can help:
• Clery Act Compliance Manager at 814-863-7459or http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/
• Title IX Coordinator and Affirmative Action Office at 814-863-0471

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