If You Have Experienced Physical or Sexual Violence

Your safety is the number one priority. If you have experienced physical or sexual violence, go to a safe place and seek immediate support from people who will be able to assist you. You are not alone. Many people can provide medical and emotional support, regardless of whether you choose to pursue disciplinary or criminal proceedings. 

Remember, you are not to blame, regardless of the circumstances. Nothing you have done (dress the way you wanted to, drink too much, have sex with the same person before, etc.) warrants someone sexually assaulting or physically assaulting you. Sexual violence happens to people of all genders, identities, and sexual orientations.

The following are suggested steps to take after an incident

Emergency Response

• University Public Safety: (585) 275-3333 (24 hours)
• Dial #13 on campus blue phones
• Call 911 (Police Dispatch, Monroe County Emergency Communications)

Seeking Medical Care

It is important to get care as soon as possible. Even if you feel okay, a sexual assault could expose you to a risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and physical trauma, so it is important to be examined by a doctor even if you do not wish to have evidence collected. In addition to receiving medical attention, clinicians can assist you in collecting forensic evidence if you choose to do so. You do not need to file a report to receive medical services. 

In Monroe County, New York, a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Center (SAFE Center) is located in the emergency department at Strong Memorial Hospital, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14642 and Rochester General Hospital, 1425 Portland Ave., Rochester, NY 14621, Unity Hospital, 1555 Long Pond Road, Rochester, NY 14626. The Department of Public Safety can provide transportation. 

University Health Service: Physician is on-call when the offices are closed  

• River Campus Office: UHS Building, 1st Floor, 585-275-2662  
• Medical Center Office: Medical Center, 1-5000, 585-275-2662  
• Eastman School Office: Student Living Center, room 106, 585-274-1230  
• Health Promotion Office: UHS Building, 2nd floor, 585-273-5770  

Preserving Physical Evidence

Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester General Hospital, and Unity Hospital have Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) on staff. A SANE is a registered nurse specially trained to provide comprehensive care to patients who have experienced sexual assault in a sensitive, non-threatening manner. The SANE conducts medical forensic examinations, can provide medications and treatment, can preserve biological evidence for a later date, and can serve as an expert witness in a court of law. The SANE program may contact the police, but patients can choose whether or not to talk to the police.

Evidence collected up to 120 hours preserves your right to decide at a later date if an individual wishes to make a report to the University or the Police. 

It is important to know  

• During an exam with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, injuries will be assessed and treated. A SANE will also discuss options for treatment for possible exposure to sexually transmitted infections, offer HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, and/or discuss options about emergency contraception (more info on this at the bottom of this page) to prevent pregnancy. 
• If you are able, try to avoid disturbing or discarding evidence that might have your attacker’s DNA on it before you seek medical care. Do not urinate or defecate; shower, bathe, or douche; brush your teeth or gargle; brush your hair; or throw away clothes worn during the attack. Taking these steps can be very difficult following a traumatic experience but doing so will help preserve potential evidence should you decide to make a report. You can still have an exam performed even if you have done one of these activities, such as showering. You may want to bring a change of clothes when you go to the hospital or health facility for the exam.  
• A friend may accompany you to the Emergency Department.  
• A Counselor from RESTORE Sexual Assault Services (585.546.2777) is available to meet you at the Emergency Department to offer support.  
• Emergency Room charges for the Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit visit are billed directly to the New York State Crime Victims Board on a routine basis. This process allows everyone, whether individuals have made a report to University Public Safety or to the Police Department or not, to bypass private medical insurance carrier. This is especially important to individuals who do not have medical insurance or to those who may not want family members to learn about the Emergency Room visit.
  • The New York State Office of Victim Services may be able to assist in compensating victims/survivors for health care and counseling services, including emergency compensation. Options can be explored at this website: https://ovs.ny.gov/help-crime-victims, or by calling 1-800-247-8035.  
• Individuals are asked to complete a form giving permission for the hospital to notify the Crime Victims Board that the individual went to the Emergency Room for sexual assault.  

Seeking Emotional Support

Whether or not an incident requires medical attention, you may want to seek emotional support as you cope and recover. There is no right or wrong response to an assault. Everyone reacts differently. Some people may experience a strong immediate response, while others seem to function fine immediately but have reactions long after the event occurs. It is not unusual to experience depression, anxiety, fear, difficulty trusting others, and self-harming behaviors, as well as many other emotions. Many people can provide support and counsel. 

• Talk with friends or family whom you feel safe with. 
• Contact RESTORE at (585) 546-2777 to speak with a counselor (confidential). 
• Make an appointment at the University Counseling Center at (585) 275-3113 (confidential).
• If you are an employee, connect with a counselor at the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at (585) 276-9110 (confidential).
• Explore more resources
• Getting help now can help to reduce the impact the assault has on your life.

Fill out an Initial Sexual Misconduct Report Form

Filing a report provides you with a way to report sex and gender-based misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and violence.

You don’t need to include your name or the name of the other people involved on the form if you do not want to file a formal report, but this does allow the University to capture information about what happened in case you wish to make a report in the future. 

File a report

If you do decide to pursue disciplinary or criminal proceedings, either within the University's judicial system or externally with the Rochester Police Department or the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. 

Julia Green, AVP for Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX Coordinator (Phone: 585-275-1654 Email: julia.green@rochester.edu).

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception (EC), sometimes called “the morning-after pill” or “Plan B,” can stop a pregnancy before it starts. It is a medication taken after sex to reduce the chance of pregnancy. Some people may take EC if a condom broke or slipped off during sex, a birth control pill was missed, or no birth control method was used. Emergency contraception is most effective if taken as soon as possible but can be used up to three days (or 72 hours) after unprotected sex.

Obtaining Emergency Contraception 

Emergency contraception (EContra One-Step) is available at UHS Primary Care at a reduced cost and does not require a prescription. No appointment is needed. Visit the UHS website to learn more about EC options and how to obtain them.