Rape Education Office

The Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center (formerly the Rape Education Office) refers survivors of relationship and sexual violence (such as rape, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking) for counseling both on campus and in the community. Primary referral sources include the Women's Center, The Shelter, and the Counseling Center. There are counselors on staff at the Women's Center and Counseling Center that specialize in the area of sexual assault and relationship violence. All services are free to students. If you are interested in more information feel free to contact us at the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center , or stop by our office Monday-Friday from 1-4pm.

MSA/GPC Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center: N214 Memorial Student Union; 573-882-6638; Coordinator: Sharon Giles giless@missouri.edu
• Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Provides referral services and support for survivors of relationship and sexual violence, as well as education about the issues for the campus at large.

MU Counseling Center: 119 Parker Hall (6th St between Elm and Stewart); 573-882-6601
• Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Provides up to 12 free individual counseling sessions per year to assist students with a wide variety of issues. After 12 sessions, referrals provided for other services.
• Walk-in crisis services available during regular business hours.

Student Health Center: 4th floor University Physicians Medical Bldg., 1101 Hospital Drive
• Kim Webb, a Health Promotions Coordinator, can provide survivors with information about “rape kits” (e.g. forensic examinations), STI testing, emergency contraception, and other options. She can also assist survivors with making an appointment with a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner), if they choose. 573-882-3280.
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners can carry out forensic examinations, as well as help with other physical and emotions needs: 573-882-7481.
• Medical assistance (including STI testing): 573-882-7481.
• SHC provides 4 free counseling sessions with a psychologist and 4 free sessions with a psychiatrist (for medication). 573-882-1483.

MU Police Department: 901 Virginia Avenue; 573-882-7201
• Survivors can report rape and sexual assaults to the MU Police. This does not necessarily mean that charges have to be filed against the perpetrator. The police will have a record of the crime.
• MU Police also provides free self-defense courses for women called “R.A.D” classes. Register online at www.mupolice.com

Office of Judicial Services: N229 Memorial Union; 573-882-5543; Coordinator: Donell Young youngdon@missouri.edu
• Survivors can contact the Office of Judicial Services to begin an investigation of the assault. Reporting the incident to the police is not mandatory for the office to start a campus investigation. All meetings are confidential.

Student Legal Services: 573-882-3621; Coordinator: Steve Concannon concannonsm@missouri.edu
• Provides free individual legal consultation for students. All services are confidential.
• Provides students assistance with filing orders of protection.

The Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: Call 24/hrs a day: Hotline number 573-875-1370 or 800-548-2480
• Provides a wide variety of free services to survivors: individual and group counseling, court advocacy and information about the legal process, hospital advocacy, an emergency shelter where survivors and minor children can stay, and longer-term transitional housing.
• Survivors can call the hotline number 24 hours a day/365 days a year for emotional support, referral information, and safety planning

Columbia Police Department: 600 E. Walnut; 573-874-7652
• Survivors may choose to report the crime to the local police.
• The Columbia Police department has a special unit to assist survivors of domestic violence called the Domestic Violence Enforcement (DOVE) Unit.

Boone County Prosecutor’s Office: 705 E. Walnut; 573-886-4100
• Survivors can contact the Prosecutor’s office for information about the legal process.

Boone County Circuit Clerk’s Office: 705 E. Walnut First Floor; 573-886-4000
• Survivors can file for an order of protection during regular business hours (M-F 8:00-5:00 p.m.). The Shelter offers emergency orders of protection when the Clerk’s office is closed.

LEAD Institute: Office phone: 573-445-5005 (Voice/TTY)
• Provides free mental health services to deaf victims of rape/sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and child abuse, as well as their families
• Provides 24 hour crisis line for deaf individuals: 800-380-3323 (Voice/TTY)

Mid-Missouri Crisis Line: 573-445-5035
• Provides 24 hour support for individuals in crisis. Hotline workers can assist callers to develop a plan to work on their problem and provide resources.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) and 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
• Provides 24 hour support for survivors of sexual and relationship violence. Hotline workers can assist with safety planning, crisis intervention, and referrals for all 50 states.
• Assistance available in over 170 languages.

Please contact the RSVP Center (573-882-6638) for assistance in locating additional resources.

Tips on Helping a Friend:
What everyone should know about helping a friend, partner or family member who has been raped or sexually assaulted.
WHAT CAN I DO?

Support, listen and believe her. You need to let her know that what happened to her was wrong and that it’s not her fault.
Express concern for her physical and emotional safety. Ask what her needs are and how you can help.
Learn about resources available to her.
Assure her confidentiality

Often we want to help, but we can sometimes be insensitive to a survivor’s needs without really intending to do so. The three most important things are to SUPPORT, LISTEN, and BELIEVE. There are some things that we can say that unintentionally convey the wrong message. Here are a few things not to say to a survivor:
“Why didn’t you fight?” or “You shouldn’t have gone to his room.”
(Or anything that questions the actions of the survivor.) These types of statements send the message that the survivor could have done something to avoid the attack and that is her fault. One should not question a survivor’s actions. Freezing, submitting, and fighting are ALL natural responses to being attacked.

“Were you drunk?”
This sends the message that the survivor is partially responsible for the attack. Intoxication does not excuse a perpetrator’s actions, nor does it make the survivor responsible for being assaulted.
“I’ll kill the guy who did this to you!”
While anger is a natural reaction, it can be very harmful. The victim has faced one person whose anger was out of control and must now try to calm down another person so that there won’t be more violence. She may feel responsible for upsetting you, thus discouraging her from being able to talk about what happened to her.
“You should go to the police.”
Although going to the police might be a step in the healing process for the survivor, it should be her decision to do so. Allowing her to make decisions to disclose to others or seek services will help the survivor gain back control that was taken away.
Common Reactions
This is a list of some of the common reactions victims/survivors may experience as a result of sexual assault. Each individual will react in her own way. There is no “right” way to react.

Physical Reactions
Fatigue
Difficulty sleeping
Nightmares
Jitteriness
Changes in appetite
Headaches

Cognitive Reactions
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty making decisions
Memory disturbances
Flashbacks

Emotional Reactions
Fear
Depression
Helplessness
Isolation
Emotional numbing
Guilt, self blame
Anxiety
Anger
*These are normal reactions and, although painful, are parts of the healing process.

YOUR REACTION
There are some common reactions you may experience when learning your friend has been sexually assaulted. You may also experience a range of other emotions. Family and friends may be the best support for a victim/survivor.

DISBELIEF: Family and friends may react to the sexual assault of a loved one with shock and disbelief, especially if there are no visible signs of the attack. You may even doubt that the assault happened. This is called “denial” and it happens after a traumatic experience.

FEAR: You may feel intense fear for yourself or for the survivor. You may want to protect her from future assault. Your concern may be reassuring soon after the assault, but too much caution on your part can make it difficult for the survivor to feel capable and in control again.

DEPRESSION: It is normal to feel sad or depressed. Sexual assault can bring up feelings of powerlessness in victims and those who love them. You may feel that your life is out of control. If depression lasts longer than a few weeks or becomes overwhelming, seek support for yourself.

GUILT: Guilt is a common reaction when a loved one has been sexually assaulted. Those closest to the survivor may blame themselves. Whatever you did or did not do, you are not to blame. It is solely the fault of the perpetrator. Instead of blaming yourself, concentrate on the positive things you can do now.

ANGER: Often loved ones experience anger after a sexual assault. Your first reaction may be to seek revenge against the attacker. This is a normal feeling, but you will not help yourself or the survivor if you are hurt or in jail. Sometimes you may feel anger towards the survivor, especially if she did something you warned her not to do. If you find yourself blaming the survivor for the assault, make sure that you have someone other than the survivor who can listen to your angry feelings. Remember, even if the survivor used poor judgment; it is the attacker who is responsible.