Guidance on taking immediate action after a sexual assault incident:

1. Get to a safe place as quickly as you can. If there is any immediate danger, contact Campus Police (203.932.7070) if you are on campus, or call 911 if you are off campus. If you are on campus during regular business hours, you may go to Counseling and Psychological Services as well as to Health Services for support and guidance (both services are located in the lower level of Sheffield Hall). Both of these offices serve as confidential resources
2. It is encouraged that you do not wash, bathe, shower, douche, or change clothing after the incident if you wish to seek immediate medical treatment. If you have already taken any of these actions, you are still encouraged to have prompt medical care, and evidence may still be recoverable. 
3. In order to see a criminal case through to a successful conclusion, it is important that evidence be preserved. Ensure that the physical scene of the assault, i.e., room, car, etc., not be altered, cleaned up, or disturbed in any way.  The decision on how to proceed can be made at a later date, but evidence preservation keeps options open.
   
   a. Typically, if police are involved or will be involved, they will obtain evidence from the scene, and it is best to leave things undisturbed until their arrival. They will gather bedding, linens or unlaundered clothing and any other pertinent articles that may be used for evidence. It is best to allow police to secure items in evidence containers, but if you are involved in transmission of items of evidence, such as to the hospital, secure them in a clean paper bag or clean sheet, to avoid contamination.
   b.  If you have physical injuries, photograph or have them photographed, with a date stamp on the photo. 
   c. Record the names of any witnesses, and their contact information.  This information may be helpful to the proof of a crime, to obtain an order of protection or to offer proof of a campus policy violation.
   d.  Try to memorize details (physical description, names, license plate number, car description,), or even better, write notes to remind you of details, if you have time and the ability to do so. 
    
4. You may want to receive medical attention as quickly as possible. In the State of Connecticut, you may request an advocate that can accompany you during all medical exams, free of charge, from the hospital. When receiving medical attention, it is very important that you TRY NOT eat or drink anything until the forensic evidence kit is completed at the hospital. Forensic evidence kits are available without charge in the State of CT, and may only be completed within 120 hours of the incident. Hospital Emergency Departments are qualified to administer this kit.
5. If you decide not to seek medical attention in relation to a police investigation (i.e. the forensic evidence kit), still seek medical attention from University Health Services, a gynecologist or a local hospital.  Female victims may talk to a healthcare professional about the “morning after pill” if the sexual contact may result in unwanted pregnancy.  This type of medication is most effective within 72 hours of the incident. Both females and males may also want to be screened for sexually transmitted infections.
6. If you wish to request a toxicology kit, to screen for all drugs in your system, you may do so at the Hospital Emergency Department. Toxicology kits are more effectively immediately after the incident, and can be administered within 72 hours of the incident.
7. Consider telling someone you trust about the incident, or one of the community resources listed above. Some University officials are required to report information regarding sexual violence to the Title IX Coordinator, so you may refer to the confidential resources listed in the table above as well. 

Guidance on taking immediate action while or after experiencing sexual misconduct:

1. Get to a safe place as quickly as you can. If someone is following you, consider going to a police station, or public area.
2. In the event that you are experiencing intimate partner violence or stalking, you are encouraged to record all related behaviors, such as harassing telephone calls, electronic contacts (e.g., texts, e-mails, Facebook messages), letters/notes, acts of vandalism, and threats communicated through third parties. Record the following: date, time, and location of incident; description of what happened; and names of any witnesses. If possible, take pictures of evidence (e.g., bodily injuries, damaged items). Recording such information can help document behavior for protection order applications or criminal prosecution. It can also help you remember incidents about which you might later report or testify. Because this information may be introduced as evidence or inadvertently shared with the perpetrator, do not include any information you do not want the offender to see. 
3. If you were harmed, you are encouraged to receive medical attention as quickly as possible. 
4. Tell someone you trust about the incident. You may want to develop a safe word to be used in emergency situations to indicate when and how this individual can help you. 
5. If you obtain external orders of protection (e.g. restraining orders, injunctions, protection from abuse), please notify Campus Police or Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Student Sexual Misconduct, Rebecca Johnson, so that those orders can be observed on campus.  If you need assistance with University-related concerns, such as no-contact orders or other protective measure, contact the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Student Sexual Misconduct, Rebecca Johnson, at 203.932.7176, or rjohnson@newhaven.edu. The University is able to offer reasonable academic supports, changes to living arrangements, transportation resources or modifications, escorts, no contact orders, counseling services access, and other supports and resources as needed by a victim.   
6. Treat all threats, direct or indirect, as legitimate and report them to one of the resources above. Even if there are no threats, consider reporting the incident(s). 

Guidance on taking action after being sexually harassed or exploited:

1. Document the harassment:
   • Photograph and keep copies of any documentary evidence of harassment.
   • Keep a journal with detailed information on instances of sexual harassment. Note the dates, conversation, frequency of offensive encounters, etc.
   • Tell other people, including personal friends and co-workers, if possible. 
2. If the harasser is a University student or employee, immediately report the harassment to the Title IX Coordinator, Caroline Koziatek (ckoziatek@newhaven.edu, 203.932.7479) or Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Student Sexual Misconduct, Rebecca Johnson (rjohnson@newhaven.edu, 203.932.7176).