What to Do if You Experience Sexual Harm
You or someone you know may have just experienced an incident of sexual harm, intimate partner violence, or stalking. It’s common to feel confused, numb, distracted, afraid, and or angry. You may not be sure what to do next.
The resources listed below can help you sort through what happened, how you feel, and how you’d like to move forward. The College will support you in whatever course of action you choose.
Some resources listed below are designated as “confidential.” Under Ohio law, all residents of Ohio, except for people in positions that are given confidential status, must report felonies to law enforcement. This includes felony sexual misconduct. If you aren’t sure which option is best for you, speaking with someone identified as “confidential” can help you understand the process, find resources, and make decisions about whether you’d like to report the incident either to the college or the police.
Remember: you can always ask someone what their reporting requirements are before talking to them about your experience of sexual harm.
If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If in Oberlin, go to Mercy Allen Hospital, 200 W. Lorain St. If you need medical assistance related to a sexual assault, contact the Nord Center (details below), which is the only provider of Sexual Assault forensic exams in Lorain County.
NEED TO KNOW: In the state of Ohio medical professionals have legally mandated reporting responsibilities. However, if you’re not ready to report an incident or speak to the police, the medical professional will create a report without your name that contains general information such as time, date and location of the incident.
NEED TO KNOW: Do not take a shower or change your clothes before you seek medical attention. Preserving evidence can help prove an incident of sexual misconduct if you choose to pursue legal action. Evidence disappears as time continues, and the sooner an exam is conducted the better as more evidence will be viable. You have up to 96 hours to receive an exam.
The Nord Center Sexual Assault Care Unit
800-888-6161
The Sexual Assault Care Unit (SACU) at the Nord Center is where residents of Lorain County can go to obtain medical care immediately after experiencing sexualized violence. Hospitals in the area, such as Mercy Allen, will refer patients to the SACU unless the patient needs medical care in the hospital for mental or physical reasons. The SACU has capabilities that hospitals do not, such as privacy, an added level of comfort, and high-quality equipment that is used during the sexual assault forensic exam, also known as a rape kit. Campus Safety can provide free rides to the SACU. You will be asked to identify yourself to Campus Safety for transportation purposes, but you will not be required to report a reason for the ride to the Nord Center. You may take a support person along with you.
What to expect during a sexual assault forensic exam
NEED TO KNOW: The phone number at SACU may be staffed by Oberlin students; you can request an advocate who is not an Oberlin student.
NEED TO KNOW: The Nord Center SACU will provide cab rides to and from their facility. Call their 24-hour hotline for more information, 800-888-6161.
Student Health Services
440-775-8180
Student Health Services provides primary care services to Oberlin College students for a broad spectrum of illnesses and injuries as well as follow-up care as needed. While Student Health Services falls under the mandated reporting requirements of Ohio medical professionals, they will not notify the college without your consent.
NEED TO KNOW: If you have been a victim of a crime of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, dating violence, or stalking you have the right to notify law enforcement authorities, including on-campus and local police. You have the right to be assisted by campus authorities in notifying law enforcement authorities. You also have the right to decline to notify the authorities.
NEED TO KNOW: Preserving evidence can help prove an incident of sexual misconduct. Do not take a shower or change your clothes before you seek medical attention. Do not delete electronic communication, pictures or videos that can help prove what happened.
Emergency Reporting
The college encourages timely reporting of any incident of sexual violence, including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking. A timely report will preserve evidence, aid in an accurate investigation, and if necessary, alert the community to potential safety concerns.
Emergency Services
911 (24 hours)
Oberlin Police Department
440-774-1061
Campus Safety
440-775-8911 (24 hours)
NEED TO KNOW: Under Ohio law, you are required to report an incident if it involves suspected abuse or neglect involving a minor under the age of 18. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. If there is no immediate danger, contact the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services hotline 855-642-4453.
Campus Reporting
You may report violations of the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy or the Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy to anyone listed on the How to File a Report page including:
Rebecca Mosely, Title IX coordinator, Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
440-775-8555
Rebecca.Mosely@oberlin.edu
NEED TO KNOW: You can make an anonymous reports to the College. Be aware that the amount of information you provide may limit the college’s ability to respond to your report. Anonymous reports can be made by calling the Campus Conduct Hotline 866-943-5787. The hotline is staffed by a third-party service and is available 24 hours/day and seven days a week. You may also report anonymously online.
Report Sexual Misconduct or Sexual Harassment
NEED TO KNOW: Under Ohio law all residents must report felonies including sexual assault unless they work in a capacity that has been given confidential status. This means that the Title IX coordinator and campus safety staff will report potential felonies or any crime of violence to the Oberlin Police Department. The police department will contact you with resources and information about pressing charge. You may choose if and how to participate in the subsequent investigation.
Other Responsible Parties
Campus Safety
440-775-8911 (emergency 24/7)
440-775-8444 (non-emergency 24/7)
Available as a first option to report an incident of sexual violence or intimate partner violence. They can be reached on weekends and after business hours. They can also provide escort service on campus and can reach the dean on call at any time.
Office of the Dean of Students
440-775-8462
Available Monday through Friday during business hours to assist students on a range of issues.
Human Resources
440-775-8430
Available Monday through Friday during business hours to assist employees on a range of issues.
You may still be considering your options. You may not even know what happened. Or you may feel like you need to speak confidentially with someone. Here’s a list of confidential resources who are not required to give your name or report to law enforcement.
On-Campus Resources for Students
Confidential Student Advocate
Vee Ybarra (they/them) is an advocate from Nord Sexual Assault Services who meets with students on campus by appointment. Vee does not report what you say to the college. You may contact them by email college_advocate@nordcenter.org or through the Nord Sexual Assault Services Hotline 440-204-4359.
The Oberlin College Counseling and Psychological Services
440-775-8470
Provides confidential counseling services to Oberlin students.
The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life
440-775-5191
NEED TO KNOW: In Ohio, a member of the clergy acting in an official capacity is not required to report sexual misconduct.
Confidential Resources for Employees
Lifestyle Employee Assistance Program
800-989-3277
Oberlin’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides free and confidential assistance to employees and their families for all manner of life issues. Your participation with the Employee Assistance Program is confidential. The college is only aware of the number of employees using the service, and not identities or the reasons the employees have called.
National Resources
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
800-656-HOPE (4673)
The National Sexual Assault Hotline is open 24 hours and 7 days and is a free, confidential resource run by RAINN. The hotline is answered and operated by trained volunteers across the country who can connect you to the appropriate resources in your area. RAINN also has an online hotline at online.rainn.org.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-SAFE (7233)
This hotline is open 24 hours and 7 days and is a free, confidential resource run by trained advocates. The advocates can help you create a safety plan, connect you to legal resources, and provide support. Live chat services are also available from 7–2 a.m., Central time, at www.thehotline.org.
The Trevor Project
866-488-7386
The Trevor Project provides 24 hours and 7 days crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ people ages 13-24. The hotline is run by trained counselors who can provide affirming support and resources. The Trevor Project also has a free, confidential online chat resource from 3–9 p.m., at www.thetrevorproject.org.