Sexual Assault Policy

A 1988 survey found that only 5 percent of rape survivors report their rape to college authorities or police (Mary P. Koss, PhD./Campus Project of Sexual Assault). To encourage more victims to report these crimes, it is imperative that we create an environment at Florida Tech that is responsible to the needs of rape survivors.

Preventative programs on campus to educate and inform our populations are an important deterrent to sexual assault crimes. Programs dealing directly with rape prevention and/or date rape, as well as self-defense, substance abuse, and assertiveness will aid in decreasing sexual assaults on Florida Tech's campus. This is especially true from the first day of classes through Thanksgiving break, when sexual assault occurs at high rates on campuses nationwide. Some universities have made such programs mandatory for all students-all first-year students, all athletic teams, and/or all social clubs. Others have established university control of sororities and fraternities, and have outlawed little-sister programs because they place females at risk of exploitation.

The following are general guidelines for helping a person report a sexual assault and referral resources. Also, it would be helpful if each department that is likely to receive such a report develops policy more specific to the department. A rape survivor may contact the offices of campus security, residence life, student affairs, the counseling center, the health center, etc.

  • Believe the survivor of the attack, even if the survivor appears disoriented or confused. People display a wide range of emotion (or lack of) following such trauma. Ensure privacy and anonymity.
  • Let the victim talk. Make known to the victim that you are willing to listen. Do not leave the victim alone. A suicide attempt is a realistic risk at this point.
  • Be comforting, calming, and empathetic. Offer a blanket, pillow, stuffed animal, or something warm to drink.
  • Focus on the fact that the rape was not the victim's fault. Avoid asking questions that can be interpreted as blaming, such as "Why did you go with him?". Although the person may express feelings of guilt, let the victim know that the attacker caused the rape, not the victim.
  • Ensure the safety of the survivor. Be sure that when the survivor returns home that they are safe and have companionship. Find out if the victim has a family or well-known friends in the area who can be contacted for support.
  • Suggest that the victim call one of the following:

Sexual Assault Victims Services (SAVS)
2725 Judge Fran Jamison Way
Building D
Viera, Florida 32922
(321) 617-7533

For more information about Brevard County's Sexual Assault Victims Services unit click here.

24-Hour Hotline
(321) 784-HELP

Both of the above agencies will respond by providing an advocate who will go with the victim to the hospital and provide a contact to help through the recovery process. This contact will also help the victim decide whether to call the police in the jurisdiction in which the crime occurred.

These agencies can make referrals and have group therapy available for incest survivors and victims of rape. These groups are appropriate after the initial crisis has passed.

Counseling and Psychological Services
150 West University Boulevard
Melbourne, Florida 32901-6988
674-8050
Open 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. Monday-Thursday
Open 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. Friday

Individual or other counseling is available as needed. After hours counseling is available for emergencies through campus security, 674-8111.

Suggesting the victim make these phone calls does not mean that the victim must report the assault to the police. These calls will provide a trained worker to guide the victim through the crisis period. Information given to anyone at these numbers is confidential. The victim also needs to know that reporting the incident to the police does not mean pressing charges.

  • Encourage the victim to preserve the evidence. In general, physical evidence can only be gathered within the first 72 hours. Sexual Assault Victims Services or the Crisis Hotline can provide information about a post-rape examination prior to washing hands, face, or body, or brushing teeth. A hospital can provide an official rape exam that will include taking specimens to find traces of blood, hair, saliva, and semen from the rapist. It's important for the victim not to wash away evidence. If the victim wished to change clothes, each article of clothing can be put into a separate bag to avoid contaminating specimens. The victim does not need to decide to report the crime to have the post-rape exam. The exam allows the victim to have evidence available IF the victim chooses to prosecute. This process may help the victim identify what has happened. It can sometimes take from several days to years before a victim realized that they have been raped.
  • Encourage the victim to seek medical attention for any injuries sustained during the attack, even if the injuries are not apparent. If possible, go with the victim to the hospital, clinic, or physician's office (Holmes Regional Medical Center Emergency, 676-7298). Provide transportation for the victim and phone ahead to let the treatment facility know the victim is on the way.
  • Support the decision the victim makes as to whether or not to report the attack. It is important for the victim to regain a feeling of control and this is one way the victim can do this.
  • Help the victim toward psychological and legal help. Counseling and Psychological Services, ext. 8050, can schedule an appointment Monday-Thursday, 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m. and Friday, 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Someone from CAPS can be reached after hours through the Office of Security, ext. 8111. The Sexual Assault Victims Services, 633-1761, will provide support for the victim through the court process and can make referrals for legal services.
  • Let the victim know that you can be contacted whenever necessary as recovery from trauma is being made. Be available as needed.

After an Assault - The Victim

Your immediate concerns should be your physical safety and proper medical attention. Help is available. Call the police and call security. As soon as possible, a police officer will take you to the local hospital or rape treatment center. You can decide later whether or not to prosecute. Police sensitivity to the trauma of the victim has improved greatly over the last few years, and so have the investigative procedures necessary for conviction of the suspect.

If you do not want to call the police or security, at least contact a crisis counselor or physician immediately. These individuals can offer you objective professional advice to help you decide how to proceed. It is also important that your family and loved ones get counseling so they can better help support you and be more sensitive to your coping with the trauma.

At first, prosecution may be the last thing on your mind, but after your immediate needs have been met, you may want to assist the police. Be sure you don't destroy any valuable physical evidence. Unfortunately, most of this evidence will be on and in your body, so waiting for evidence collection will be especially difficult for you.

  • Don't douche, shower, change your clothes, or disturb the crime scene, even though that may be your initial impulse.
  • If you decide to call the police and report the crime, they will ask you some initial questions regarding the identity and location of the suspect, the direction of flight, and any weapons. These questions may be asked on route to the hospital.
  • Hospital procedures differ, but generally the victim will be asked typical questions and checked for any visible injuries. If necessary, a complete internal exam will also be performed to establish the extent of injuries and to collect evidence should you decide to prosecute.
  • Usually, if your physical and mental condition permit, you will be asked to give a formal statement as soon as possible after the medical exam. You will be asked only questions relevant to the investigation. However, some of the questions asked may elicit very painful emotions. These questions are necessary to establish all of the facts of the case. The professionals involved recognize the pain and trauma you are experiencing and will try to be considerate of your situation while they do their part of the investigation.
  • Should you decide to pursue prosecution, the State Attorney's office will handle it, provided there is enough evidence for the case. Prosecution is usually a long and complicated process. As a victim, you will be a witness for the state and do not have to hire an attorney.

Remember, you are not on trial - the defendant is. Under the criminal justice system, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The prosecuting attorney should inform you of what to expect in the trial and may go over certain questions again. The probability of conviction will vary depending on such things as quality of evidence and your testimony. Most sex offenders are repeaters. Your decision to prosecute may save others from suffering.