Methodist University Center for Personal Development

Sexual Assault Information

Counseling, Psychological and Disability Services
in the Center for Personal Development

Pearce Hall
(910) 630-7150

You don't deserve to be subjected to sexual acts against your will. Sexual assault is an act of aggression and a profoundly serious violation of person and community. Legally it is a crime. Sexual assault—and specifically date rape—will be dealt with as a serious violation of campus standards.

Methodist University will not tolerate rape, sexual assault or any form of non-consensual sexual activity.

If rape happens ...

Go with your instincts. Depending on the situation you may decide to run, scream, kick, hit or bite.
If you believe your life is in danger, it is usually best not to resist.
Remember: Every sexual assault situation is different. Don't judge yourself for what you decide to do or not to do.
If you are forced to have sex against your will, it is never your fault!!!

If you witness an assault ...

Call Campus Police (7577) at once! If rape occurs off campus, call 911.

After an assault ...

Call Methodist University Police and Public Safety at 7577. If you are off campus call 911.
You may want to have an advocate to support you and help you through the process. [(910) 630-7150] on the Methodist University staff has been trained to assist as victims advocates. Police and Public Safety Officers will help you contact these women after hours. You may prefer to call Rape Crisis (485-RAPE) for more anonymous assistance.
You may request that a female officer be present. All officers are well trained but you may feel more comfortable with a woman present.
You do not have to press charges. It is hard to make this decision while in crisis. It is best to take precautions to preserve the evidence. After the worst is over, you may feel that you want to press charges in order to help to protect other victims.
To preserve the evidence, do not wash yourself or change your clothes. If the assault happens in your room, leave your room just like it is.
You will be taken to the hospital for treatment, prevention of disease and collection of evidence. Take a change of clothes with you, as your clothes will be kept as evidence.
You may request that an Advocate from Rape Crisis meet you at the hospital and stay with you for support. The Victims Assistance program is available for victims who do not have medical insurance.
A victim will be given assistance in changing academic and/or living situations after a sexual assault, if necessary.

Dealing with the offender ...

An issue that may be decided later is how to deal with the rapist. If the offender is a stranger, the student may decide to press charges or to avoid the courts. If the offender is a member of the campus, one option is to bring the Dean of Students into a conversation with the victim's advocate and the offended student. Together a decision is made as to how best to proceed, keeping in mind that the offended student continues to have the final say in the decision. Some possible options open to the victim are:

File criminal charges in public court.
Confront the offender in the presence of the Dean of Students but take no further action.
File charges in the student court. Examples of court actions are:

suspension or expulsion from college
referral for psychological evaluation with clear expectations that the offender will follow through on recommendations of the therapist.

Ignore the offender but seek counseling to deal with the consequences of the act.

Remember both the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a campus disciplinary hearing. Both shall be informed of the outcome of the proceeding.

There are people who care and are trained to help ...

Call Darlene Hopkins at the Center for Personal Development (7150) or come to the Center for Personal Development in Pearce Residence Hall. Anyone who has been through sexual assault,whether recently or in the distant past, deserves the chance to talk about the awful experience and get help in dealing with the feelings. Get the help you deserve.

Call Rape Crisis at 485-RAPE (485-7273). Rape Crisis volunteers are trained to provide you with emotional support and advocacy through medical, legal and law enforcement systems and courtroom procedures.

Encourage your family and/or close friends who have been affected by your assault to talk it over with a counselor. A trained, objective counselor can help them to come to terms with what happened to you. Such help is available at both the Center for Personal Development and Rape Crisis.

Acquaintance Rape Prevention

Rape is not the victim's fault. It is not sex, it is violence. Nobody asks for or deserves rape. Victims do not cause rape. Rapists cause rape. Submission to a rapist out of fear is not consent and does not imply faflure on the part of the victim.

Advice for Women

Say NO when you mean NO; say Yes when you mean Yes. Use eye contact and tone of voice to show you mean what you say. When you feel threatened by either a stranger or an acquaintance put yourself above rules of etiquette and social norms. Be willing to make a scene, if necessary, to get out of a troubling encounter.
Trust your instincts. Be aware of specific situations in which you do not feel relaxed and in charge.
Don't go off alone with someone you don't know. Make decisions for yourself. Decide in advance what you will tolerate. Set limits and take steps to cut off interactions that exceed them.
Be aware of female stereo types that prevent you from expressing yourself, such as "anger is un-feminine," or "being passive is feminine." Don't allow yourself to be trapped by them.
Be alert to what is going on around you. Avoid secluded places and unfamiliar nightspots.
Drugs and alcohol decrease your ability to take care of yourself and decreases your date's inhibitions and self control. Be careful.
Support your friends by not pressuring them when they are unsure about a situation. If a friend asks you to leave with her from a party because she is uncomfortable, help her out.
Be aware of your feelings and express them assertively.

Advice for Men

It's never OK to force yourself on a woman, even if
- you think she's been teasing and leading you on,
- you paid for the date,
- she asked you out,
- you have heard the woman say No but mean Yes,
- you think it is "manly" to use force or coercion to get your way,
- or you think that she will expect some force or coercion.
Whenever a woman is forced, against her will, to submit to unwanted sexual relations, it is rape—and not a successful seduction by a lover, friend, neighbor, acquaintance, or stranger.
Be aware of stereotypes that set you up into acting in forceful or coercive ways, such as "aggressive behavior is masculine." Don't get trapped by these roles.
Be honest: Communicate what you want honestly, assertively, and respectfully. That means speaking your needs and listening to other person's needs.
Remember ... NO means NO.
Be aware that "force" can be emotional coercion and intimidation as well as physical force.
If a woman is unable to give consent (i.e., is drunk) it is still rape.
You don't always have to be "in charge" or make all the decisions.
Physical affection does not always have to lead to sex.

Much more information about a variety of concerns is available. You may make an appointment or a request for more information by You also might want to check out our virtual pamphlet collection link.

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