FAQ's for Students

I have experienced an incident of sexual misconduct, who can I contact?

Both WCU Public Safety (610) 436-3311 and the Crime Victims Center of Chester County (610) 692-7273 are available for assistance 24 hours a day.

  • Chester County Hospital and Paoli Hospital are available for sexual assault exams, please contact Crime Victims of Chester County to assess which hospital to go to on certain nights.
  • The Student Health Center is also available for STI testing, and other follow up medical care at no cost to you.
  • WCU Public Safety can transport you to the hospital for an exam.

What are first steps I can take?

Take care of yourself.  Your safety is your first priority

  • Mental Health – Call a friend or family member to get connected to support
  • Physical Health – get to a health center (either on campus or a local hospital) or safe place.

Collect evidence.  This will help you, should you choose to press charges.

  • Getting a rape kit done at a hospital BEFORE YOU SHOWER will ensure that the most evidence possible is collected. This does not mean that you have to press charges, but will give you the strongest argument if you do. Save the clothes you were wearing during the incident by sealing them in a plastic bag.

Educate yourself. You have options for how you proceed from here. These pages will help you choose the best option for you:

  • Rights and Responsibilities provides an overview of the rights that you have as someone who has experienced sexual misconduct
  • What is Sexual Misconduct defines the various forms of sexual misconduct so that you can better categorize your incident and how to deal with it.
  • The Resources page details various organizations on and off campus that provide legal and psychological support for survivors of sexual misconduct.
  • Filing a Report details the various reports that you can file, what each report entails, and the possible outcomes of each report.

If I don’t have transportation, can someone drive me to the hospital?

Yes, WCU Public Safety will provide transportation to and from the hospital.  They can be reached at (610) 436-3311.

What happens when I submit a Sexual Misconduct Report?

Please review the steps following submission of a Sexual Misconduct Report here.

What is available to me if I was assaulted by a non-student and/or off campus?

You still have access to any and all resources that are provided on-campus. You can also reach out to the following off-campus resources:

Off-Campus resources available for victims of sexual misconduct include:

Are university resources free?

Yes, all university resources are free to use.

Do I have to tell my parents/guardians?

You do not have to tell your parents and the university will not contact them, but they can often be a resource to support you in this time.

If I have experienced an act of sexual misconduct, will I need representation?

Students involved in sexual misconduct cases are encouraged to have an advisor and support system, but representation is up to the individual.  The university does not provide representation for either party.

Will I get in trouble if I was under the influence of drugs/alcohol?

Under Amnesty and Reporting, a victim or witness who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the sexual misconduct incident generally will not face disciplinary charges from the university or from the Department of Public Safety for underage drinking or drug usage.

What if I don’t want to tell anyone I was sexually assaulted?

You still have resources available for you.  You can contact the following and leave the name as "anonymous:"

How can I help a survivor of sexual misconduct?

The resources page details various organizations on and off campus that provide legal and psychological support for survivors and witnesses of sexual misconduct. Ensure they are aware of the following information:

24 Hour Hotline Assistance

  • WCU Public Safety (610) 436-3311 NOTE: Public Safety can transport you to the hospital for an exam
  • The Crime Victims Center of Chester County (610) 692-7273 Building Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm
  • Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (888) 711-6270 Building Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm

Make sure the party or parties involved are taking care of themselves and their health. The on-campus Counseling Center is free and accessible for students if they need someone to talk with. Help the survivor understand their options. Listen with no bias. Assure them that you have their best interests at heart and do everything to ensure their comfort. Refer the person(s) to the resources available on this page so they are educated on the steps available to them. Report the assault (with permission) so that the environment remains safe.

How do I file a report of an incident I’ve witnessed?

Whether a complainant, witness, or concerned third party, you can report an incident you are aware of, witnessed, or have experienced yourself.  Reports can be made by any party through the university’s sexual misconduct support page. Both WCU Public Safety (610) 436-3311 and the Crime Victims Center of Chester County (610) 692-7273 are available for assistance 24 hours a day.

  • The resources page details various organizations on and off campus that provide legal and psychological support for survivors and witnesses of sexual misconduct.
  • Filing a Report details the various reports that can be filed by either a survivor or a witness, what each involve, and the possible outcomes of each report.
  • You can contact the Title IX coordinator, Lynn Klingensmith for further information and support. She can be reached at (610) 436-2433 or LKlingensmith@wcupa.edu

I’m still confused, where can I get more information?

Visit our On-Campus Resources and Off-Campus Resources page for more information. You can also contact the Title IX Coordinator (Lynn Klingensmith, (610) 436-2433 or

LKlingensmith@wcupa.edu

), for more information.

Back to top of page.