Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is sexual assault?
A: Sexual assault is any non-consensual sexual contact. It includes rape, acquaintance rape, incest, and non-consensual sodomy and fondling.
Q: What should I do if I have been raped?
A: Options on what to do and who to contact are available on our Emergency Help page, or you can call University Health Service 24-7—any time of day or night, including weekends. Ask for the nurse on call at 216-368-2450 or a staff person in the Women's Clinic at 216-368-2453 during regular hours. Anything you tell staff at the University Health Service is confidential. Go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Do not change clothes, shower or douche.
Q: What if I don't feel comfortable seeking help on-campus?
A: You can access one of several community resources dedicated to helping survivors at any point following their experience of sexual violence. Services include direct help, advocacy, education, training, and activism:
Call the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center at 216-619-6192, 24 hours, a day, 7 days a week, or call:
Cleveland Police 216-623-5630
University Circle Police 216-368-2222
Cleveland Heights Police 216-321-1234
Q: What is consent?
A: Consent is an affirmative decision to engage in mutually acceptable sexual activity. Consent is indicated by clear actions or words. In some situations, an individual's ability to give consent can be taken away by another person or circumstance. Examples include when the individual is intoxicated, high, scared, physically or psychologically pressured or forced, passed out, intimidated, coerced, mentally or physically challenged, beaten, threatened, isolated or confined. Silence is not consent. Also, having consented to sexual activity in the past does not obligate you—on legal, ethical, or any other grounds—to further sexual activity.
Q: If I am sexually assaulted when I'm drunk, it is really sexual assault?
A: Yes it is. What defines assault is the absence of consent. The university policy on sexual assault says, "Persons acting under the influence of alcohol or other substances may be incapable of consent."
Q: If I was in violation of the university policy on alcohol when I was assaulted, will the university charge me judicially for the alcohol violation?
A: The primary concern of the university is keeping students safe and offering support if they are sexually assaulted. At the same time, students may be asked to reflect on their use and abuse of or involvement with alcohol and drugs, separate from an assault incident.
Q: Is emergency contraception available from the University Health Service?
A: Yes, Plan B is available. It is most effective in the first 72 hours after the incident, but can be given up to 5 days afterwards. Call for an appointment—the sooner the better. You can also contact the nurse on call from Friday 4:30 p.m. through Monday 8 a.m. at 368-2450.. The cost is $15.00 (cash or check). These pills are definitely recommended in case of sexual assault. They are about 89 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. They do not, however, protect against sexually transmitted infections. Plan B will be available over the counter in pharmacies sometime in December 2006. You must be 18 or over to get it without a prescription. The cost will be $20 to $25.
Q: What happens if I report the sexual assault to a police authority and I don't want to press charges?
A: In order to preserve the option of pursuing criminal prosecution we encourage you to report the sexual assault to the police. Once reported to the police, an investigation will be conducted, evidence will be collected and tested and the prosecutor will determine if there is enough probable cause to pursue criminal prosecution. Although you may not choose to press charges ultimately the decision is left to the prosecutor.
Q: If I go to the hospital, will the hospital report the incident to the police?
A: If you go to the hospital, you will be treated for physical injuries and evidence of assault will be collected. In Ohio, hospitals must (by law) report any felony to law enforcement. Their report would have to include date, time and general location of the crime. If the victim is adamant that he/she does not want to report, his/her name will not be disclosed to law enforcement however, if he/she chooses to have evidence collected, his/her name will be on the evidence.
Hospital personnel and/or other advocates usually spend a lot of time talking with victims about the role of law enforcement, the importance of filing a police report ASAP and that this is NOT the same as prosecuting (which they can decide on later). While some victims may initially worry that they may get into trouble (underage drinking, illicit drug use, etc.), in Cuyahoga county most victims usually agree to speak with law enforcement (even those that are initially dead-set against it) once they understand that the role of law enforcement is help. (Information provided by Cleveland Rape Crisis Center)
Q: What will happen to an accused person if I report a sexual assault to a police authority?
A: Typically, if you positively identify a suspect, that person will be arrested by the police for the crime you described or an arrest warrant will be issued. If you cannot identify a suspect, an investigation into the identity of the suspect will take place. Police will investigate the case and present their findings to the prosecutor. If the prosecutor feels there is enough evidence, he/she will refer the case to the Grand Jury. If the Grand Jury finds sufficient evidence, the suspect will be indicted and a county arrest warrant will be issued for their arrest. After the arrest is made, the suspect may be issued a bond. If the arrested person can't afford to pay their bond, he/she will remain in jail until trial. If requested, the victim may be issued a restraining order, or some form of protection order forbidding the suspect from making contact or being in the vicinity of the victim.
Q: Can I file a charge with both the University and the public legal system?
A: Yes. Each process is independent of each other. However, if a case is processed in the public legal system, University judicial records may be subpoenaed and used in a court of law.
Q: Will this incident become public information?
Once a report of a sexual assault is made the University may be obligated to report the campus community of the report. The University is obligated to alert the campus of crimes that it determines it represents a threat to members of the campus community. But regardless of the action taken by the University, the names of any person involved will not appear on a campus alert.
Q: In what situations will my parents be notified?
A: In most situations, a person who is sexually assaulted has the right to decide if her or his parent/guardian is notified unless the person is unable to give consent to necessary medical treatment or is under the age of 18.
Q: If I don't feel safe, what can the University do for me?
A: A University representative can work with you to identify options that will help you feel safe i.e. identifying alternative living arrangements, parking and transportation issues, and/or academic/social concerns etc. Typically, the Office of Student Affairs coordinates these efforts; however, representatives from other on-campus resources can also assist you.
University Police and Security Services officers are available to provide walking or riding escorts in the University Circle area, 24 hours a day. To arrange for an escort call 368-3333. Reporting any unusual or suspicious activity to University Police immediately will help the university maintain your safety.
Q: How can I prevent being assaulted?
A: Sexual assault does not happen because of something that was wrong with the person who was assaulted or anything she or he did, wore, or thought. No one deserves to be raped. Learn more about prevention and resistance.
Q: Where can I get more information about sexual assault?
A: Visit the sexual assault section of this Web site to learn more.
Q: What are date rape drugs?
A: Date rape drugs are substances used to make a person incapable of resisting an attack. Alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, opiates, and chloral Hydrate plus alcohol (aka "Mickey Finn") have traditionally been used to "knock out" unsuspecting victims. Substances coming into wider use now are GBH, Rohypnol, Ketamine and Burundanga/Datura.
- Ketamine (known as "K," "Special K," and "cat vitamin") is an anesthetic used in veterinary medicine. It is odorless and tasteless, so it can be added to beverages without being detected. It causes amnesia.
- GBH (known as, "Grievous Bodily Harm," "G," "Liquid Ecstasy," and "Georgia Home Boy") is a central nervous system depressant that can relax or sedate the body. It is often used in combination with alcohol, which makes it more dangerous. It is predominantly used at nightclubs and raves.
- Rohhypnol (known as the "forget me pill") is a tasteless, odorless substance that dissolves easily in carbonated beverages. A small amount can cause profound amnesia, lasting for 8 to 12 hours.
- Datura produces sedation and amnesia that can last from 2 to 3 days.
Q: Is there a law against using date-rape drugs?
A: Yes. The Drug-Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment Act of 1996. Violation of this law carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and fines for anyone who intends to commit a violent crime by covertly distributing a controlled substance to an unknowing individual.
Q: How widespread is the use of date-rape drugs?
A: A recent survey of 2,003 urine samples submitted by rape centers across the country revealed the following about common drugs used in drug-assisted rape:
Alcohol, 69 percent; Marijuana, 18 percent; Cocaine, 5 percent; GHB, 3 percent; Rohypnol, 1 percent.