Sexual Assault Support and Services

Medical and Legal Options

Medical Options

The first 72 hours after an assault are critical to the preservation and collection of forensic evidence. It is also a critical time for medical treatment for potential pregnancy or transmission of infections.
Survivors may receive a forensic exam at the LSU Student Health Center, Monday - Friday from 8am-5pm at no cost. Survivors are often scared to have the forensic exam because they are unsure about what will happen, particularly regarding filing a police report and pressing charges. However, without a forensic exam conducted in the first 72 hours, crucial evidence could be lost and the survivor's legal case may be significantly weakened.
The state will pay for the forensic exam if it is performed at a hospital with a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner). A police report will be taken at the time of the exam and the state will follow through with investigating the crime. If a survivor is unsure about whether or not to press charges, the state will hold the forensic evidence for 30 days.

To preserve the physical evidence:

Do not bathe or douche.
Do not brush teeth or ingest food/beverages.
Do not change clothes if possible and do not wash the clothes worn at the time of the assault. Those clothes are considered forensic evidence and will be collected by the forensic examiner at the hospital. If a survivor doesn't want to wear those clothes to the hospital, s/he can take them to the hospital in a paper bag. Do not use a plastic bag because it may "break down" evidence.

To preserve the crime scene:

The space where the assault occurred is considered a crime scene. The police will gather additional evidence from the scene once charges are filed. If the assault occurred in a residence hall or other building on campus, a SAVA can assist with confidentiality issues during the collection of the evidence. Housing relocation is an option for any survivor who lives on-campus.

Hospital Accompaniment:

No survivor has to go through a forensic exam alone. A Rape Crisis Escort will accompany a survivor through the forensic exam, providing support and answering questions about the exam. The Escort can also help a survivor connect with a LSU Sexual Assault Victim's Advocate for support after the exam and for assistance with other options within the university setting.

Non-Forensic Care:

It is recommended that a survivor get medical attention even if s/he decides not to have a forensic exam. The survivor may seek treatment through her/his private physician or the Student Health Center. Treatment options can include emergency contraception and testing/treatment for potential sexually transmitted infections.

Legal Options

Sexual Assault Survivors have the option of processing their case through the civil and/or criminal judicial system. Cases can be processed through each system concurrently or separately.
To prosecute a sexual assault or dating violence crime or to get a protective order through the civil or criminal system, it's best to consult with a legal advocate through the Rape Crisis Center (225/383-7273) or the Battered Women's Program (389-3001).

University Judicial System

The University Judicial system is designed to be educational in nature and can only affect the accused student's status as a University student. A student who is found in violation of the University Sexual Assault Policy cannot be sent to jail through the University judicial process (see Code of Student Conduct due process). However, the student can potentially be suspended or expelled, among other sanctions, if found responsible for violating the University Sexual Assault Policy in the Code of Student Conduct.

To file a complaint, contact the Office of the Dean of Students (578-4307). A formal complaint must be filed in order for the University to investigate the allegation. However, a survivor may meet with the Associate Dean for Judicial Affairs to ask questions without filing a formal complaint.