Get Help NowTitle IX

Step 1: Go to a safe place and get support.

If you are not in a safe setting, as soon as you are able, go to a safe place and contact a friend, a trusted relative, a CF or Campus Safety for assistance in dealing with the situation.

Step 2: Contact SART/CADA for support - 507-933-6868

The College’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART/CADA) includes faculty, staff, and other advocates who provide support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to survivors of sexual misconduct, stalking, and intimate partner violence.

Gustavus students can reach a confidential Sexual Assault Advocate by calling 507-933-6868. Gustavus advocates (SART Sexual Assault Response Team) are available on campus Monday-Friday during business hours and can be reached by office phone or email. On evenings and weekends, an advocate from CADA (Committee against Domestic Abuse) will be available to assist. All advocates are confidential, provide information, and assist with resource referrals.

SART/CADA can work with a student on the following options:

  • Talking confidentially with a counselor
  • Obtaining medical care
  • Creating a campus no contact agreement
  • Reporting the incident to the College for investigation
  • Reporting the incident to the police
  • Receiving assistance for academics
  • Receiving assistance for housing

You can contact SART/CADA by calling 507-933-6868.

Step 3: Preserve any Evidence

If the assault happened recently, don’t bathe, put the clothes you were wearing in a paper bag; Refrain from using the bathroom, showering, changing your clothes or brushing your teeth to maximize the ability to gather evidence.

Step 4: Get medical care

If the assault was of a physical nature (e.g., there was penetration of any kind or a physical injury including bruising, bite marks etc.), then consider obtaining medical care.

  • Emergent - If injuries are serious and you need immediate medical attention:
    • Call 911 and/or Campus Safety for assistance.
  • Non Urgent - Seek medical attention at the your own discretion. Any concern for health should be addressed as soon as possible. Reasons to get an exam might include testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI), pregnancy testing, or testing for the presence of date rape drug. Gustavus Student Health Service can work with the victim to provide certain services (NOT testing for the presence of a date rape drug). Health Service is available Mon-Fri 8-4:30. Students may also be seen at a medical facility off campus.
  • Evidence Collection - Another reason to seek out medical care is to gather evidence in the event someone might want at some point in the future to press criminal charges. This should be done as soon as possible after an incident. Gustavus Health Service will not conduct any evidence collection. Medical evidence collection should only be done by a specially trained nurse (referred to as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner or SANE) for the accuracy and comfort of our students.
    • A medical forensic exam can be performed at Mayo Health System/Mankato and SART staff can accompany the student to such an exam. SANE nurses are available to perform evidence collection on site. Call in advance so they can notify the nurse of your arrival 507- 385-2610. SANE nurses will work with each individual in a sensitive manner and respect the survivor’s decision. Having an evidence collection kit performed DOES NOT MEAN that the student has to press charges. It is important to have a trained SANE nurse do the exam.
    • It is important for the victim to seek medical attention and have an evidence exam done (if desired) as soon as possible to maximize the likelihood that any evidence will not be compromised and that medical treatment is received in a timely manner. Evidence collection should be done within 72 hours after an assault.
    • If you will be going to the hospital for evidence collection, you should:
      • Refrain from using the bathroom, showering, changing your clothes or brushing your teeth to maximize the ability to gather evidence.
      • Bring a change of clothes if possible.
      • If clothes have been changed gather clothes from incident (unwashed) and transport to the hospital in a paper bag.

Step 5: Consider Accessing Campus/Community Services for Support and Assistance

Students have a variety of campus and community options for support and other kinds of assistance. Free/confidential on-campus and off-campus resources for Counseling or support include:

  • Gustavus Counseling Center (507) 933-7027
  • Gustavus Health Service
  • Gustavus Chaplain’s Office
  • Community 24 hour Safeline: (800) 630-1425

Step 6: Consider Reporting the Incident to the Police

The college supports and encourages a student’s right to go to police and College staff will assist the student in making contact with the police. The option to report to off campus law enforcement is ALWAYS an option regardless of other actions or investigations taking place. A student may speak with a SART/CADA member who can provide support and information regarding contacting off-campus law enforcement.

For more information on the reporting process, please refer to the What Happens After I Make A Report page.