SKIP TO PAGE CONTENT

Assault Care for the Survivor (Complainant)

Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment, rape, and sexual assault.

Carla Martinez
Dean of Students
Title IX Coordinator
Section 504 Title II Coordinator

(714) 895-8781
cmartinez@gwc.cccd.edu

15744 Goldenwest Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Office: 3rd floor of the LRC (Learning Resources Center)

Title IX at GWC

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted:

  • First, remember that what happened is not your fault. You did not cause the assault, and no matter what happened, you did not deserve it.
  • Get to a safe place.
  • Try not to change anything at the location where the assault occurred.
  • Remember that eating or drinking, showering, brushing your teeth, going to the bathroom, and changing or altering your clothes could destroy physical evidence that may be helpful if you later decide to pursue legal action.
  • Consider contacting The Student Health Center for referral services. Reporting options will be explained and assistance can be provided for on and off-campus services that you may need.
  • Consider reporting the incident.
  • Even if you don’t want to file a police report, consider receiving medical attention. A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) at the local hospital will help ensure that you are healthy, provide options to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, and collect valuable evidence that may be useful in the future, even if you are unsure about pursuing legal action now. Physical evidence can only be collected up to 72 hours after an assault.Consider seeing a psychologist at the Student Health Center. What you tell a psychologist is confidential.
  • You have a right to be believed and to receive appropriate medical, emotional, and legal support if you choose such options.

How to support someone who has just been sexually assaulted:

The first step to helping a friend or someone that has been sexually assaulted is to believe them, listen carefully to them and provide support. Your friend has taken an important step in seeking help and your response to their disclosure may determine the next step for your friend.

Although there is no universal reaction to being sexually assaulted, many victims feel guilty, often blaming themselves instead of the perpetrator. Victims sometimes feel they could or should have done something differently that would have prevented the assault. Other common feelings include fear, embarrassment and confusion. It is important that as a friend, you understand that a sexual assault is something which they had no control over happening to them. Simply telling your friend that is was not their fault can help to alleviate some of the confusion and overwhelming emotions they may be experiencing. These feelings, along with denial may be why it takes days, weeks, months or years for the victim to tell anyone.

What a Friend May Be Feeling If A Sexual Assault is Disclosed

For the person who is close to a victim of sexual assault, this can be a very difficult experience. You may be having some of the same feelings as the victim. Guilt, anger, helplessness, and confusion are common feelings. Do not be afraid to get help for yourself as well as the victim by setting up an appointment at the Counseling Center.

  • Believe the person.
  • Listen — without judging.
  • Let the person know you support and care about him/her. Let the person know he/she is not responsible for the incident.
  • Emphasize there is help available.
  • Let the person know he/she is not alone.
  • Let the person know about available services and counseling
curve