UT University Health Services

Sexual Assault: You Have Options

If you have been sexually assaulted
If you have had an unwanted sexual experience
Even if you are not sure what happened

You have options.

Sexual assault is NEVER your fault.

If you are in immediate danger or in need of urgent medical care, CALL 911.

Following a sexual assault or unwanted sexual experience, UT students have options. Students can decide what type of care they wish to receive - medical care only or medical care and forensic evidence collection.

To receive medical care only, students can schedule a sexual assault health appointment at UHS. Charges include a $10 office visit fee plus the costs of any lab work or other testing or procedures that may be necessary for evaluation and treatment, as well as costs for any medications that may be prescribed. To schedule:

  • Call the UHS Nurse Advice Line at (512) 475-6877 Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To receive medical care and forensic evidence collection, students can schedule a free Sexual Assault Forensic Exam at either UHS (Monday – Friday from 8 a.m to 5 p.m.), at SAFE Alliance (24/7) or a nearby hospital or clinic (24/7). To schedule at UHS:

  • Call the UHS Nurse Advice Line at (512) 475-6877 Monday – Friday from 8 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Appointments are available during these times.

To schedule at SAFE Alliance, our local community partner:

See the chart below for more information about these options.

Sexual Assault Health Appointment
To schedule, call the UHS nurse advice line at (512) 475-6877, M-F 8am - 5pm
Sexual Assault Forensic Exam
To schedule, call the UHS nurse advice line at (512) 475-6877, M-F 8am - 5pm OR call the SAFEline at (512) 267-7233 24/7
911
Emergency Care
Immediate danger or serious injury requiring urgent care
   
Medical Care, including:
  • Physical Exam
  • STI risk assessment and treatment
  • Pregnancy risk assessment and emergency contraception
 
Forensic Evidence Collection, including:
  • Talking about the assault
  • Checking for and photographing injuries
  • Swabbing the skin
  • Collecting clothing
  • Taking blood and urine samples
   
Connection to Resources  
Available at UHS (M-F, 8am-5pm)  
Available at SAFE Alliance or local hospital (24/7)    
Conducted by UHS Provider
Conducted by SAFE Alliance Nurse    
Sexual Assault Health Appointment
To schedule, call the UHS nurse advice line at (512) 475-6877, M-F 8am - 5pm
Medical Care, including:
  • Physical Exam
  • STI risk assessment and treatment
  • Pregnancy risk assessment and emergency contraception
Connection to Resources
Available at UHS (M-F, 8am-5pm)
Conducted by UHS Provider
Sexual Assault Forensic Exam
To schedule, call the UHS nurse advice line at (512) 475-6877, M-F 8am - 5pm OR call the SAFEline at (512) 267-7233 24/7
Medical Care, including:
  • Physical Exam
  • STI risk assessment and treatment
  • Pregnancy risk assessment and emergency contraception
Forensic Evidence Collection, including:
  • Talking about the assault
  • Checking for and photographing injuries
  • Swabbing the skin
  • Collecting clothing
  • Taking blood and urine samples
Connection to Resources
Available at UHS (M-F, 8am-5pm)
Available at SAFE Alliance or local hospital (24/7)
Conducted by SAFE Alliance Nurse
911
Emergency Care

Both options:

  • are available to students of any gender
  • will not result in a report to law enforcement or Title IX, unless the student elects to do so. The law does require that UHS report anonymous (non-identifying) information to the University if a student receives a sexual assault health appointment or forensic exam at UHS. However, this is not the same as informing or filing a report with the police or with Title IX.
  • provide medical care including injury treatment, infection prevention and care and pregnancy risk assessment and emergency contraception, if indicated and desired by the student

To talk to someone about options, contact:

Sexual Assault Health Appointments at UHS

Sexual Assault Forensic Exams at UHS

  • +
    If I have a forensic exam, do I have to report the assault to police?

    You do not have to report the assault to law enforcement. Reporting the assault to police is your decision.

    The exam can only occur within 120 hours (five days) after a sexual assault. If you want a forensic exam but do not wish to report it to the police, the evidence will be preserved for up to five years, during which you can decide whether to report the assault to law enforcement.

    If you have a forensic exam at UHS, nothing about the exam will be included in your UHS health record unless there is a need for you to see a UHS provider due to a physical injury. The law does require that UHS report anonymous (non-identifying) information to the University. However, this is not the same as informing or filing a report with the police or with Title IX.

  • +
    If I have a forensic exam at UHS, will a Title IX report be filed?

    No, a Title IX report with identifying information will not be made by UHS or SAFE Alliance staff. The law does require that UHS report anonymous (non-identifying) information to the University. However, this is not the same as informing or filing a report with the police or with Title IX.

    If you have a forensic exam at UHS, nothing about the exam will be added to your UHS health record unless there is a need for you to see a UHS provider due to a physical injury.

  • +
    Where can I get a forensic exam?

    To schedule a forensic exam at UHS, call the Nurse Advice Line at (512) 475-6877 (Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm). To schedule 24/7 call the hotline for SAFE Alliance, our community partner, at (512)-267-SAFE (7233) or call a nearby hospital or clinic

  • +
    Who will perform the forensic exam?

    Forensic exams are provided by specially-trained SAFE Alliance nurses who will meet with you before the exam to discuss the exam procedure. You have the option to have an advocate present during the exam who is there to support you, provide resources and help explain your options. What you say to the advocate is confidential. Find information about advocates at the SAFE Alliance website.

  • +
    How do I prepare for a forensic exam?

    There is nothing special you must do before a forensic exam. Refraining from the actions below may help in collecting evidence. If you have done any of these things it is okay. You can still have a forensic exam, and you have done nothing wrong. If possible, refrain from:

    • - bathing or showering
    • - discarding clothes you were wearing during and/or after the assault
    • - washing your hands
    • - brushing your teeth
    • - using a toilet
    • - eating or drinking
  • +
    What can I expect during a sexual assault forensic exam?

    The exam may include:

    • - medical care
    • - medicines to prevent infection and/or pregnancy
    • - talking about the assault
    • - checking for and photographing injuries
    • - swabbing the skin
    • - collecting clothing
    • - taking blood and urine samples

    A friend or advocate can join you for all or part of the exam. An advocate is an employee or volunteer from SAFE Alliance who you may speak to confidentially and who is there to provide emotional support and information about your options. For more information about advocates, visit the SAFE Alliance website. If there is any part of the exam with which you are uncomfortable, you can stop completely, pause or skip that step at any point.

Additional Campus and Community Support Resources

Voices Against Violence, a program of the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), provides support to survivors of sexual violence through advocacy appointments, individual counseling sessions and group counseling. VAV's survivors’ emergency fund provides financial assistance to student survivors of sexual violence, relationship violence and/or stalking. To learn more or make an appointment, call (512)-471-3515.

Student Emergency Services (SES) can help students with issues including academic difficulties that arise as the result of personal hardships or crises, family emergencies, interpersonal violence, medical and mental health emergencies, missing students and student deaths. Assistance includes outreach, advocacy, support and referrals to campus and community resources. SES does not provide counseling services. Students who wish to meet with SES staff about a sexual assault without necessitating a report to the Title IX Office can schedule a meeting with an SES advocate.

Incidents of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, interpersonal violence and stalking can be reported to the Title IX Office. Criminal action (i.e. filing a police report) is separate from a Title IX university investigation process. For more information about reporting options, visit https://titleix.utexas.edu/file-a-report.




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