A Resource Handbook for
Campus Sexual Assault
Survivors, Friends and Family
www.mi.gov/campussexualassault
RESOURCES
In Case of Emergency, Call
9-1-1
Michigan Campus Sexual Assault Resources
and Information
www.mi.gov/campussexualassault
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Informaon and Chat: www.rainn.org
National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline
1-866-331-9474
TTY: 1-866-331-8453
Text: Loveis to 22522
Informaon and Chat: www.loveisrespect.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
TTY: 1-800-787-3224
Informaon and Chat: www.thehotline.org
1
INTRODUCTION
Dear friends,
This handbook is a statewide
resource intended to provide
basic informaon about campus
sexual assault. It is wrien for
survivors, but it is also intended
to help friends and family.
My hope is that this handbook will help survivors begin
their journey toward healing and enable family and
friends to support loved ones who have experienced a
sexual assault on campus. I am proud of the work
Michigan has done to address this important issue, and
I know that by working together we can beer support
survivors and put an end to campus sexual assault.
Sincerely,
Sue Snyder
First Lady - State of Michigan
Table of Contents
What Is Sexual Assault? .................................................. 3
What You May Be Feeling ............................................. 4
Finding Support and Help ......................................... 5-6
Medical Help ................................................................ 7-8
Reporng Sexual Assault ......................................... 9-10
The Campus Process ............................................. 11-13
Other Legal Resources .................................................. 14
2
WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT?
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is when a person forces or coerces another into
unwanted sexual contact, like unwanted sexual penetraon of the
body or unwanted touching of inmate parts of the body. Some
perpetrators force unwanted sexual contact when a vicm is asleep,
unconscious, under the inuence of alcohol/drugs or physically
helpless.
Michigan law refers to sexual assault as “criminal sexual
conduct” and most school’s disciplinary codes will refer to sexual
assault as “sexual misconduct.” The exact denion will vary
between state criminal law and school misconduct policies.
There are a lot of myths about sexual assault.
Here are the facts.
> Sexual assault is NEVER the vicm’s fault. Sexual assault is
caused by a perpetrator who chooses to harm another
person.
> Anyone can be sexually assaulted. Perpetrators target adults,
teens and children o
f all ages regardless of gender identy or
sexual orientaon.
> About 85% of sexual assault crimes are commied by
someone the vicm knows– an acquaintance, friend, friend
of a friend, dang or inmate partner.
> Around 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men are targets of
aempted or completed sexual assault while they are college
students.
Somemes perpetrators of sexual assault harm vicms in other
ways, for example by sharing inmate images or videos, following,
harassing, pushing or hing. These acts may also be criminal acts
and/or a violaon of your school’s misconduct policy.
3
WHAT YOU MAY BE FEELING
Everyone reacts dierently
to the trauma of being
sexually assaulted. Any
reacon you have is normal.
During the days, weeks and
months aer the assault you
may have a variety of
reacons.
Possible Emotions and Feelings
> Shock, disbelief, numbness
> Confusion, lack of concentraon
> Fear, nightmares, panic
> Sadness, depression, helplessness
> Anger, betrayal, isolaon, guilt
Possible Physical Reactions
> Loss of appete, nausea, stomach
pain
> Sleeplessness, or sleeping more
than usual
> Headaches, feeling red
> Other body pains (backache,
soreness, bruising)
Sexual assault is
NEVER the
vicm’s fault.
Other Worries
Survivors commonly feel a variety of worries aer the assault. They
may replay the assault over and over again in their minds, thinking
about their own acons and blaming themselves for what happened.
Somemes this can lead to feelings of shame or anxiety about what
others will think.
SEXUAL ASSAULT IS NEVER THE VICTIM’S FAULT. Consuming
alcohol or drugs, walking alone, wearing certain clothing, agreeing to
be alone with the perpetrator, consenng to some sexual acvity,
changing your mind about sexual acvity or having consensual sex
with that person in the past, does NOT make you responsible when
someone assaults you.
You may also be worried how the assault aects your relaonships,
immigraon status, legal proceedings and your status as a student.
Help is available for these issues and to talk about
your thoughts and feelings.
4
FINDING SUPPORT AND HELP
Finding Support and Help
You don’t have to go through this alone. You have choices and
you are entled to help. Seeking support can help your health and
well-being. It is never too late to ask for help.
Campus Support and Counseling Services
Your campus may have condenal counseling services that are
available free of charge to all students. Some campuses also have
specic programs for survivors of sexual assault that can oer
condenal support, advocacy and counseling. This informaon
and more should be on your school’s website.
Local Sexual Assault Services
Many Michigan communies have local sexual assault organizaons.
They can provide free and condenal support services such as
crisis support, advocacy and counseling. These services are special-
ized for sexual assault vicms. Many will have advocates who can
accompany you to medical or legal appointments. They can help and
provide resources to your family and friends.
A Note on Confidential Help
Somemes survivors want to keep
what happened to them private. You
have many opons for condenal help
from campus counseling centers and
local sexual assault service organizaons
noted here. On campus, some peo-
ple, like counselors, are condenal
resources, while other individuals are
required to nofy the school. There are
some legal excepons to condenality.
Feel free to ask any support person or
counselor about their ability to keep your
conversaon condenal.
You don’t
have to go
through
this alone.
5
FINDING SUPPORT AND HELP
Family and Friends
For some survivors of sexual assault, family and friends can be
helpful during this me of healing. They may help you feel safe
just by being near or listening. They may also be able to provide
emoonal support and help you connect with services. Some family
and friends are not willing or capable of being helpful. It is important
for you to surround yourself with people who can support you on
your healing journey.
Michigan Resources for Help
www.mi.gov/campussexualassault
> Campus Sexual Assault Informaon
> Local Sexual Assault Organizaons
> Michigan Campus Specic Sexual Assault
Resources
> Michigan Campus Specic Title IX Coordinator/
Misconduct Policy Links
6
MEDICAL HELP
Immediate Medical Help
It is important that you get checked for possible injuries and
pregnancy and that you get treated for sexually-transmied
infecons. You can seek medical help at any me. However, the days
immediately aer the assault are the only me DNA evidence of
the assault can be collected. It is also the only me any substances
(somemes called date-rape drugs) can be detected. All vicms of
sexual assault have a right, under Michigan law, to have a medical
forensic examinaon and evidence kit collected up to 5 days aer
the assault. This is done in order to preserve any DNA evidence in
case you decide to report the assault now or at a later date.
Medical Forensic Examination
This is a specialized examinaon that gives you the medical care
you need and collects DNA evidence (commonly referred to as a
rape kit). The examinaon may include emergency contracepon,
treatment for sexually transmied infecons and recommendaons
for follow-up care. If you agree, DNA evidence of the assault is also
collected. Even if you think you are not going to report the assault,
you can sll have evidence collected. The police may be noed and
come talk to you aer the examinaon to see if you need help. You
do not have to talk to the police to have this exam or to have DNA
evidence gathered. This examinaon should be FREE to you (see
payment secon on next page).
What Happens to DNA Evidence
If you agree to release the evidence,
Michigan law requires that it be
submied to the crime lab for forensic
tesng. If you are not ready to release
the evidence for tesng, Michigan law
requires the health facility to store it for
one year so that you have me to think
about it and to release the evidence kit
for tesng later if you change your mind.
You can seek
medical help or
follow-up care
at any me.
7
MEDICAL HELP
forensic examinaons.
Where to Go for Medical Help
SANE Program
There are specialized Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
programs across Michigan that provide medical forensic
examinaons. SANE programs are oen the best source of care
for vicms. To nd SANE services or other providers near you,
contact a local sexual assault organizaon by calling
1-800-656-HOPE or vising www.mi.gov/campussexualassault.
Hospital Emergency Room (ER)
If your community doesn’t have a SANE program, every hospital ER
in Michigan is required to provide a medical forensic examinaon to
a person stang that they have been sexually assaulted in the
previous ve days and are seeking an exam.
Campus Health Services or General Praconer
These providers can treat your medical concerns. They may be able
to provide referrals to a SANE program or clinic that does medical
Paying for the Medical Forensic Examination
You are not responsible for the cost of a standard medical
forensic examinaon, including co-pays or deducbles. Either your
insurance or the SAFE Response program will pay for the exam and
evidence collecon. If you do not have insurance, or if you have
safety or privacy concerns about billing your insurance or your
parents’ insurance, SAFE Response will pay for the examinaon.
Questions About Payment
If you have any quesons about billing, contact:
Crime Vicm Services Commission, SAFE Response
1-517-334-SAFE (334-7233)
8
REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT
Reporting Options
You have the right to report a sexual assault to the police, school,
both or neither. Oen, parcipang in these processes can provide
you with addional safety and support opons. If you report the
maer to police and your school, it is possible that two separate
invesgaons will take place at the same me. These opons are
detailed on the following pages.
A Note About Alcohol and Drugs
Somemes sexual assault perpetrators take advantage of vicms
who have used alcohol or drugs. Somemes they give potenal
vicms alcohol or drugs in order to assault them. Some people may
feel nervous to report a sexual assault because they are scared of
geng in trouble for consuming alcohol or drugs. Most schools
have an explicit rule that they do not pursue drug or alcohol
misconduct charges against people who have reported a sexual
assault in good faith. Most prosecutors will not le drug charges
against a person who has reported a sexual assault in good faith to
law enforcement. You cannot be prosecuted for drinking alcohol
(as a minor) or using drugs if you voluntarily seek health care for the
assault or other health reasons.
9
REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT
Talking to the Police About the Crime
You can choose whether or not to talk to the police or make a
report. It is never too late to talk to the police.
If you make a police report, an ocer or detecve will be assigned
to your case. Aer invesgang, the police should send it to the
prosecung aorney’s oce. The prosecutor will review the report
and decide whether to le criminal charges. The prosecutor may
also wish to talk to you.
You are free to decide whether or not to parcipate in the
invesgaon process. Most of the me, you should be able to bring
a support person with you when you talk to the police or
prosecutor.
Some of Your Rights During the Criminal Process
If you have led a police report, you have
the right to call the police and ask to be
noed of an arrest in your case, or the
release of the arrested person or both. If
you have led a police report, you also
have the right to ask about the status
of your case, including: the name of the
detecve or invesgang ocer; whether
the case has been submied to the pros-
ecung aorney for review; and whether
the case has been closed and the reason
for closure.
It’s never
too late to
talk to
the police.
If you had a medical forensic exam and released the evidence kit
to law enforcement, you have the right to ask the police for
informaon about the tesng of that evidence. This includes when
the evidence kit was sent to a crime lab for tesng and
the results of evidence tesng.
10
THE CAMPUS PROCESS
Title IX
Under a federal law called Title IX, all schools are required to have
systems in place to respond to allegaons of sexual assault.
Participating in a Campus Investigation
You can contact your school’s Title IX coordinator at any me to
receive interim protecve measures and/or start the school
invesgaon process. The Title IX coordinator is the person respon-
sible for providing resource informaon, implemenng
interim measures and overseeing campus sexual misconduct
invesgaons. Contact informaon for the Title IX coordinator is
usually available on the school’s website.
If you disclose a sexual assault to other school employees, such as
a professor, academic advisor or resident advisor, they are usually
required to nofy the Title IX coordinator. When the Title IX
coordinator learns of a sexual assault, they usually reach out by
email with informaon about school support resources and about
the school’s invesgaon process.
Title IX websites for Michigan colleges and
universies can be found at
www.mi.gov/campussexualassault
11
THE CAMPUS PROCESS
Request for Confidentiality during the Campus
Disciplinary Action
You can ask your school not to reveal your name to the accused
person. You can also ask the school not to take any acon when it
learns of the sexual assault. The request to keep your name
condenal may limit the school’s ability to fully respond to the
assault. In rare cases, a school may decide to reveal your name to
the accused person and to proceed with an invesgaon even if you
don’t want it to go forward. This is because Title IX requires
instuons to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment
for all students, and the school might have to invesgate the assault
as part of this duty. However, you sll have the choice of whether
to parcipate in the invesgaon.
Campus Safety Options—Request for Interim Measures
Interim measures are steps a school takes to address your
safety and comfort as soon as the school learns of the sexual
assault, even if no invesgaon takes place. You can have
input into creang the interim measures that address your needs on
campus. Interim measures can include:
> Adjustments to class schedules.
> Changes to campus living arrangements.
> Provision of counseling/mental health support.
> Assistance with deadlines for coursework and exams.
> Imposion of a campus no-contact order.
You can ask the Title IX coordinator to implement interim measures
at any me aer a complaint has been made.
12
THE CAMPUS PROCESS
Your Rights During the Campus Process
The campus process will be dierent from school to school. Most
schools put a link to their sexual misconduct policies and procedures
in the Title IX secon of their website. No maer how your college
or university’s process works, you have the right to:
> Have the maer handled by appropritately-trained, unbiased
ocials.
> Be accompanied by a support person during the invesgaon.
> Provide evidence and names of witnesses to the invesgator.
> Receive a wrien noce of the outcome of any invesgaon
and sancons.
> Have an equal opportunity as the accused person to
parcipate at every level of the invesgaon.
> Be protected from any retaliaon for having made a complaint
of sexual assault.
Potential Outcomes of Campus Process
If a student is found responsible for violang a school’s sexual
misconduct policy, the school can impose a range of sancons.
The most serious sancon a school can impose is to expel the
violang student from school. The range of sancons are usually
listed in the school’s sexual misconduct policy.
Protection from Retaliation
Under Title IX, people who make a complaint to their school are
protected from retaliaon. Retaliaon is when any person
takes acon against you (threatening or harassing) for parcipang
in your school’s misconduct process. If you are concerned about
possible retaliaon, talk to the Title IX coordinator. The Title IX
coordinator can take steps to address the retaliaon, including
invesgang the retaliaon as a possible violaon of school policy.
13
OTHER LEGAL RESOURCES
Filing for a Personal Protection Order (PPO)
You always have the right to ask a Michigan circuit court
for a Sexual Assault PPO, even if you decide not to talk to the
police. A PPO is an order to protect you from someone that has
sexually assaulted you or someone who has made you afraid of
being assaulted. A PPO can order that person not to have
contact with you, follow you, or approach you or the place
where you live. The court can order the person to stop any
other behavior that interferes with your personal freedom or
that causes you a reasonable fear of harm.
For more informaon about PPOs and how to le for a PPO,
visit Michigan Legal Help at www.michiganlegalhelp.org.
You can also get help in ling for a PPO by contacng your
nearest sexual assault or domesc violence services provider
at 1-800-656-HOPE or www.mi.gov/campussexualassault
or hiring your own aorney.
Responding to Other Legal Issues
Somemes a perpetrator will retaliate against the survivor of sexual
assault by ling a PPO or lawsuit against the survivor. Help is
available if this has happened to you. If you need assistance
defending a PPO, or have another civil legal aid queson, contact
the Counsel and Advocacy Law Line at 1-888-783-8190 and they
will send your case to a legal services program near you. You can
also visit www.mplp.org or www.mcedsv.org if you are a vicm with
an unusual legal maer, as both statewide agencies are working to
support vicms of crime who are struggling with the
civil legal process.
14
LOCAL RESOURCES
