Sexual assaults are physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person's will or where a person is incapable of giving consent. A person under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medications and/or other substances may not be capable of consenting to sexual activity. A number of acts could fall into the category of sexual violence, including (but not limited to) rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual misconduct and sexual coercion.
There are confidential campus resources available to discuss your situation:
- OU Advocates
- University Counseling Services
There are additional campus resources available to discuss your situation, but please be advised these resources are required to make a report to the Title IX Coordinator. Contact with these resources does not require you to file a complaint with the Institutional Equity Office and does not require you to press charges against the assailant:
- OUHSC Police Department
- OUHSC Institutional Equity Office/Title IX Coordinator
- OUHSC Student Affairs
There are off-campus resources available to discuss your situation. These resources are not affiliated with the university:
- Palomar, OKC
- YWCA, OKC
- Women’s Resource Center, Norman
- DVIS, Tulsa
Sexual assault is never your fault. A person under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medications and/or other substances may not be capable of consenting to sexual activity.
There are confidential campus resources available to discuss your situation:
- OU Advocates
- HSC Student Counseling Services
There are additional campus resources available to discuss your situation, but please be advised these resources may be required to make a report to the Title IX Coordinator. Contact with these resources does not require you to file a complaint with the Institutional Equity Office or press charges against the assailant:
- OUHSC Police Department
- OUHSC Institutional Equity Office/Title IX Coordinator
- OUHSC Student Affairs
It is important to know you have options. You are not required to report your assault. You maintain the choice to report your assault and seek assistance at any time. However, there are some benefits to seeking assistance early.
For instance, you may wish to meet with a confidential advocate. Resources like OU Advocates, Palomar (OKC), Women’s Resource Center (Norman), and YWCA (OKC) have trained advocates ready to speak with you about your options for safety planning, evidence preservation and support services.
You may wish to receive a free, confidential forensic exam by a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. The purpose of this forensic exam is to address any needed medical attention, provide confidential sexually transmitted infection testing, collect any available forensic evidence and document any physical injuries. You may bring any clothing, bedding, or other evidence with you to the exam. Please note that washing or showering may remove biological evidence, however you may still participate in an exam if you have done those already. Participating in an exam does not require you to file a police report or make a report with the University. Palomar (OKC), Women’s Resource Center (Norman), YWCA (OKC), DVIS (Tulsa) or OU Advocates can assist with setting up the exam. You may also report to an ER and request the exam. Preserving any potential evidence can help strengthen a criminal case if you wish to press charges. Please note that you may still participate in the exam even if you do not wish to press charges or you want additional time to consider your options.
You may report the assault to the police by calling 911 or reporting to the OUHSC police department. Palomar is a family justice center, which means it houses several different entities under one roof. It is possible for you to make a police report, receive a forensic exam, and address supportive measures in the same building. You may also speak with advocates or law enforcement about protective orders.
You also may report the incident to the Title IX Coordinator at the Institutional Equity Office. You may file a report online at www.ou.edu/eoo. An intake coordinator will reach out to you and discuss the next steps and potential supportive measures for you. You do not have to file a complaint and you do not have to report the assault to law enforcement in order to discuss supportive measures through the IEO.
If you decide not to come forward, please consider professional counseling as an option moving forward. Recovering emotionally from a sexual assault can be aided by a helping professional knowledgeable about the sexual assault process. OU Advocates can assist with support and University Counseling Services can assist with counseling.
Yes. If you are over the age of 18, you maintain the choice to tell your parents or not. Medical care, counseling care and services provided by confidential advocates remains confidential. Law enforcement agencies and higher education institutions follow several different federal and state laws to help protect the privacy of students. The University will not contact your parents about the assault unless you consent first.
You are not required to report your assault to law enforcement. Documenting your experience and preserving evidence may help strengthen the case if you choose to report to law enforcement. Delaying a report to police could have an effect on the strength of the case.
You may wish to meet with a confidential advocate to discuss your options. Resources like Palomar (OKC), Women’s Resource Center (Norman), YWCA (OKC), DVIS (Tulsa) or OU Advocates have trained advocates ready to speak with you about your options for safety planning, evidence preservation and support services.
You also may wish to report the incident to the Title IX Coordinator at the Institutional Equity Office. You may file a report online at www.ou.edu/eoo. An intake coordinator will reach out to you and discuss the next steps and potential supportive measures for you. You do not have to file a complaint and you do not have to report the assault to law enforcement in order to discuss supportive measures through the IEO.
You may file a report online at www.ou.edu/eoo. An intake coordinator will reach out to you and discuss the next steps and potential supportive measures for you. You do not have to file a complaint and you do not have to report the assault to law enforcement in order to discuss supportive measures through the IEO.
Yes, many services are available to you for no charge. Advocacy centers like Women’s Resource Center in Norman, Palomar in OKC, YWCA in OKC, and DVIS in Tulsa offer free forensic exams and other supportive services. OU Advocates can assist with support and University Counseling Services can assist with counseling.
There are places that can help. University Counseling Services is open to all students in need of help or guidance. OU Advocates provides a 24/7 helpline at (405) 615-0013 (OKC) or Tulsa Helpline (M-F 8AM - 5PM) - 918-660-3163 or (After-Hours and Weekends) - 918-743-5763. There are off-campus resources available to discuss your situation. These resources are not affiliated with the university:
- Palomar, OKC
- YWCA, OKC
- Women’s Resource Center, Norman
- DVIS, Tulsa