We strongly encourage any individuals who have experienced sexual harm or who have been accused of causing sexual harm to review the information below with a trusted friend, family member, or support person.
What to Do Immediately After a Violent Experience
First and foremost, make sure you are safe from further harm.
If you are in an unsafe situation, contact Police Services at 911 or (802) 656-3473, and they will be able to assist you. Get to a safe place if you can. Once there, you may want to contact victim advocacy from HOPE Works at (802) 863-1236 or another trusted or support person.
Preserve any potential evidence.
- Consider going to the ̽̽ Medical Center or nearby emergency room to see a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). SANE nurses are trained to collect evidence and provide medical care. If possible, do not shower, bathe, or use douche products.
- If there was oral contact, try not to eat, drink, or brush your teeth. However, even if you have done these things, you can still get a SANE examination.
- If you haven’t changed clothes, keep the original garments on, and bring an extra set with you to the hospital. The police may need to keep your clothes as evidence if you file a report. If you have changed clothes, place the clothes in a paper bag (plastic can destroy evidence).
- Save any text messages, social media messages or other communications that relate to the incident.
- Consider seeking medical attention if you were injured, exposed to an infection or need emergency contraception. You can receive medical attention from Student Health Services and the ̽̽ Medical Center. Additionally, an advocate from HopeWorks may be able to accompany you to the hospital to provide support and information. HopeWorks also provides 24/7 crisis support. You can call them at (802) 863-1236.
- If you think you may have been drugged as part of the assault, you may ask a health professional to perform a test to verify.
Know Your Options
Talk with a Confidential Resource
Under most circumstances, a confidential resource needs your explicit consent to share information they have discussed with you. A confidential resource should review the limits of confidentiality in your first meeting.
You can work with a confidential resource to determine your options moving forward as well as get emotional support for what you've experienced without worrying about a report being made to the institution on your behalf.
Talk with a Community-based Resource
Community-based resources may be more specifically designed to work within communities you are a part of. You may seek a community-based resource because you would like to work with an advocate outside of your campus environment.
In Burlington, community-based resources include , the , or , among others.
Talk with a Private Resource
Reach out to the support coordinators with the Office of Equal Opportunity and learn more about the resources available to students.
File a on your own behalf to talk with one of our on-campus Care Team coordinators.
A private resource may share information with other entities on campus on a “need-to-know" basis.
File a Report
You may file a report at any point following an assault. Individuals may choose to file a report with law enforcement, ̽̽’s Office of Equal Opportunity, with both, or neither. ̽̽'s Office of Equal Opportunity provides options for both investigations and alternative resolutions. You are not required to file a report in order to receive medical attention or assistance from campus and community resources.
Learn more about the types of reports and investigations available to you.
When you file a report, a staff member from the Equal Opportunity office will reach out with information about support resources and options.
When you file a report with the Office of Equal Opportunity, you have the option of pursuing an investigation or an alternative resolution. An investigation is a disciplinary process. An investigator will interview witnesses and collect evidence. Depending on when and where the conduct occurred, either (1) the investigator will write a report and make a determination as to whether ̽̽ policy was violated or (2) the investigator will provide the information collected to an adjudicator who will hold a hearing and make a determination. An alternative resolution is a restorative process. The parties will create an agreement that seeks to remedy the harm caused and prevent future harm. Terms of the agreement often include education and restorative practices. An alternative resolution is not a disciplinary process and does not result in a determination of a policy violation.
Remember you may choose any option at any time. Every person makes different choices, depending on their circumstances and everyone is the expert of what they need most.
Care and Support Resources for Students
HOPE Works
At ̽̽ we partner with HOPE Works, an organization dedicated to ending sexual violence, for confidential crisis response and advocacy services on campus. On campus office hours are held in Living Learning 215 during the regular academic year.