Title IX Resources

Survivors of sexual violence may experience mental, physical, and emotional trauma. Mercy College recommends survivors seek help as soon as possible to work through the trauma with a trained professional.

The following resources are recommended:

If you are a victim of sexual assault, your first priority should be to get to a place of safety. You should then obtain necessary medical treatment. You can seek medical attention without reporting to the police! Call 911 for any kind of emergency, immediate harm or threat of harm.

Mercy Public Safety (419-251-1444) or Mercy Health Police Department-Youngstown (330-480-3288) are also resources which can be contacted with an emergency. Mercy Public Safety/Mercy Health Police Department-Youngstown strongly advocates that a victim of sexual assault report the incident in a timely manner.

Time is a critical factor for evidence collection and preservation. An assault should be reported directly to a Mercy police officer and/or to a Campus Security Authority. Filing a police report with a Mercy police officer or CSA will not obligate the victim to prosecute, nor will it subject the victim to scrutiny or judgmental opinions from the officers.

Medical Treatment and Evidence Preservation

Students and employees seeking medical treatment should go to the nearest hospital. For the preservation of evidence in the event of a sexual assault, the following guidelines are recommended:

• Do not destroy the physical evidence that may be found in the vicinity of the crime. If the crime occurred in the survivor's home, the survivor should not clean until the police have had an opportunity to collect evidence.
• Tell someone all details remembered about the assault. Write down all details remembered as soon as possible.
• Do not bathe or douche. Do not urinate, if possible.
• Do not eat, drink liquids, smoke, or brush teeth if oral contact took place.
• Keep the clothes worn during the offense. If clothes are changed, place clothes in a paper bag (evidence deteriorates in plastic).
• Get prompt medical attention at a local hospital.

Related Resources

Toledo

Youngstown

National Resources

Legal Assistance

Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. provides legal services to those recovering from domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

www.legalaidline.org or 888-534-1432

Lucas County: 419-724-0460

Protection Orders: Contact local police department or legal aid.