Oklahoma State University's sexual assault and rape prevention efforts involve the entire community. Members of the OSU community consist of representatives from the OSU Police Department, Residential Life, University Counseling, OSU Faculty, Greek Life, Student Conduct Office, and University Health Services. These members, individually and collectively, provide training programs, presentations, and workshops to any interested group. Members of the OSU community also work closely with off-campus agencies such as the Payne County District Attorney's Office and Stillwater Domestic Violence Services.

Program topics generally include stranger rape, date and acquaintance rape, rape trauma syndrome, and victim recovery. An increasing number of presentations explaining the male's role in sexual assaults are given to fraternities and athletic teams.

OSU also offers a nationally recognized Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) class for women. The RAD program is a comprehensive course for women that progresses from awareness, prevention, risk reduction, and avoidance to basics of hands-on defense training. OSU has certified basic RAD and advanced RAD instructors on the police staff.

Procedures to Follow if Assaulted

If you become a victim of a sexual assault, you should follow certain procedures. These procedures are clearly outlined in the rape avoidance seminars mentioned above and Rape Prevention pamphlets available to the OSU community from the OSU Police Department and University Health Services.

Evidence

Preserving evidence is of paramount importance after a sexual assault. Victims should be careful not to bathe, douche, wash clothing, or tamper with other potential evidence after a sexual assault. Evidence is critical in a criminal prosecution.

Contact the Police

When you report a sexual assault to the OSU Police or to the Stillwater Police Department, an officer will be sent to your location. Determining the extent of physical and emotional trauma you have suffered will be the officer's first concern. If the attack just occurred, the officer will need a brief review of the events, a description of the attacker, the direction of travel, and a description of the vehicle used by the assailant. This information is necessary to apprehend the attacker as soon as possible.

Sexual Assault Exam

An officer or designee will take you to the Stillwater Medical Center to be examined by a nurse. You will be given a complete physical exam and will be treated for any injuries you may have sustained. You may be examined for the purpose of obtaining evidence, which would be necessary in court. Appropriate antibiotic therapy can be given to decrease the chances of developing venereal disease. A Sexual Assault Crisis Team, comprised of a representative of law enforcement, medical, and victim's advocate, can provide support and guidance to the victim. The victim of a rape is NOT responsible for legal or initial medical expenses.

Police Investigation

Later, at police headquarters, you may be asked to be more specific about the events of the attack. This questioning is done to help the investigation and to help you arrange the events firmly in your mind. Your case will be handled considerately and courteously. Based on conversations with the Investigator, you can then decide whether to file charges. When finished at police headquarters, you can go to a place of your choice. OSU officers have been trained to deal with sexual assault victims. However, should you feel uncomfortable speaking with a male officer, do not hesitate to say so. Every effort will be made to notify a female officer.

You may also report a rape or sexual assault to a residence hall director, a university counselor, or the University Health Services. You do not have to file charges against the attacker if you report a rape. However, it is wise to give the information to the police any way. The information you give may help locate a suspect in other offenses and possibly prevent another person from being raped. The police will not know there is a rapist on campus unless you tell them. The police will not pressure you to file charges. Victims of sexual assault can elect to have personal information eliminated from police reports. In addition, a victim's academic and living situation will be changed upon request if reasonably available.

Sex Offender Registration

In accordance with applicable state and federal laws, information about registered sex offenders who may be attending or working at OSU, is available to the campus community at the OSU Police Department. A link on the OSU Police Department's website at www.osupd.okstate.edu is provided to the Stillwater Police Department's list of registered sex offenders residing in the Stillwater area and to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections sex offender index.