S.O.S. News

WE NEED YOU!

S.O.S. is accepting applications thru October 28th and will train new volunteers over two weekends in January. Questions? Get the answers from current volunteers at our Interest Meeting on Tues 10/18 at 6pm in the Williamson Room, Perkins Student Center, or find out more on this website! If you want experience with crisis intervention & victim advocacy, skills in facilitating peer prevention programs, a unique community service opportunity, or you have career goals related to the work of S.O.S., then we are the right UD activity for you! Apply online!


Medical Options:

There are a variety of medical concerns you may have:

  • INJURY: Within 72 hours of the sexual assault, you may have a medical need to be seen by a doctor to treat assault-related injuries. If the assault was more physically violent in nature, there may be internal tearing treatable by a doctor.
  • SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES: It is possible to contract a sexually transmitted disease during a sexual assault. It is recommended that you seek examination, testing, and preventative medicine for STDs if you have been assaulted. It is important that you be seen by a doctor as soon as possible, but if you do not get treated immediately, it is still worthwhile to seek treatment. There are nurse practitioners and/or gynecologists who can treat you at the Student Health Service (for U of D students), Planned Parenthood, or ChristianaCare Medical Center.
  • PREGNANCY: Pregnancy is another concern if you are female. You may receive pregnancy testing via any of the health agencies listed above. Christiana Care Medical Center, Planned Parenthood, and UD's Student Health Service -- Women's Health Clinic. You may also wish to obtain emergency contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. EC is available over the counter at local pharmacies, or can be purchased at a lower fee at the Student Health Service's Dispensary. If you use emergency contraceptive, it is most effective if taken within 72 hours after the assault, but it can be used in the first 5 days after unprotected sex or sexual assault. Additional information is available about EC from the Kaiser Foundation's August 2010 Update.
  • EVIDENCE COLLECTION: The ChristianaCare Medical Center has a staff of forensic nurses who can perform an official evidence collection exam (sometimes referred to as a "rape kit") to use in conjunction with legal proceedings against the assailant (see Legal Options). Forensic nurses, formerly known as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (S.A.N.E.), are on staff 24 hours/day and there is a separate examination room from the rest of the ER. If you go to the emergency room, let the triage desk know that you have been assaulted and would like to be seen by the SANE/forensic nurse. This will put you on a faster track to be seen, examined, and released (as is possible based on how busy the ER is that day and how many traumas they must treat.) If you are unsure whether or not you wish to press charges, Christiana ER has the ability to store the evidence collected for up to 14 days to allow victims more time to decide whether or not they want to make a police report and have a criminal investigation conducted. It is critical to collect evidence as soon as possible after the sexual assault. Evidence collection is most successful within the first 24 hours after the assault, and it is recommended that you do not shower prior to examination, as showering will cause evidence to be lost. Within the first 72 is considered the best window of time. The Forensic Nurses encourage victims to be examined even when more time has passed since the assault, as some evidence may still be obtained.
  • TRANSPORTATION: University of Delaware Police, 831-2222, will provide transport to the Student Health Service or to the Christiana Hospital for University students, whether the assault happened on campus or in Newark. An unmarked car can be requested for the transport. You do not need to disclose why you need transport (beyond "medical care") to the hospital in order to utilize this service.
  • POLICE REPORTING: The University Police will not file a report if the survivor does not wish to provide information or press legal charges. An alternative they offer is to take a report for informational purposes without pressing charges. This option is helpful if the survivor needs time to decide what she wants to do, yet allow the information to be collected while it is fresh in the victim's mind. In any case, the officer will try to help the survivor get to the resources necessary for medical and emotional assistance. It is a common misperception that University police will press charges against the victim for underage drinking if the victim was intoxicated at the time of the assault. S.O.S. has been assured by University Police that they will not prosecute victims for underage drinking, and are more concerned about addressing the more severe felony crime of sexual assault.
  • TESTING FOR DATE RAPE DRUGS: Christiana Care Medical Center can send samples for testing to see if date rape drugs, such as GHB, Rohypnol, & Ketamine, are present in the victim's body. This option is only available to you in the first hours after an assault because the evidence leaves your system at first urination. If you suspect you have been drugged, you may collect the first urine after waking up in a clean, dry container. You can refrigerate or freeze your sample and bring it to the hospital with you. Urine kept in this way can be tested for Rohypnol days and even weeks after collection. For more information, visit SOS' info about Date Rape Drugs.
  • To reach the SOS Victim Advocate on duty (24 hrs/day) call 831-2226. The person who answers will take a first name and phone number and the advocate will call you back within 10 minutes.

    Upcoming Events!

    Sun., Feb. 19th, 6:30pm
    Project Impact: My Relationships, My World (Part One)
    Trabant MPR C
    Did you know as a student leader you can have a profound impact on your peers by providing support, resources, and knowledge? By modeling healthy attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that promote respect, equality, and a culture of non-violence you are leading by example! Your influence can have a resounding impact on your peers and your relationships with them. This program will help you develop the skills you need to understand dating violence, model respect and equity, as well as provide you with resources helpful to those affected by abusive relationships. Experts in the field will provide an interactive and informative approach to help you identify ways you can make a positive difference – here at UD and beyond. *Note: You do not have to attend Part One to attend Part Two. Sponsored by Wellspring: Student Wellness Program and the Prevention Subcommittee, a joint subcommittee of the Delaware Victims Rights Task Force and the Domestic Violence Task Force of Delaware. This program counts as part of the Blue Hen Leadership Program. Contact Susan Luchey to register your attendance at this program or to register for BHLP.
    Wed., Feb. 29th, 7:00pm
    Film: "Miss Representation"
    Trabant Theatre
    A documentary by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, premiered at 2011 Sundance Film Festival and aired on Oprah Winfrey Network, looks at the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence. It exposes how American youth are being sold the concept that women and girls’ value lies in their youth, beauty, sexuality, and appearance rather than their intelligence. Following the film will be a speaker who will share her personal struggle with an eating disorder. Sponsored by National Eating Disorders Awareness Council, for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week and the Blue Hen Leadership Program, and co-sponsored by S.O.S. and Wellspring.
    Sun., March. 19th, 6:30pm
    Project Impact: My Relationships, My World (Part Two)
    Trabant MPR C
    What message are you sending with your event flyers, Facebook events, and other marketing materials? Your publicity tells individuals more than the date, time and location of your event. Your flyers can tell a person what your organization/event stands for, values, and promotes. This program will help you understand how marketers sell certain messages through their products and how to deconstruct those messages. You will also develop the skills needed to create publicity that promotes equality, respect, and healthy relationships. *Note: You do not have to attend Part One to attend Part Two. Sponsored by Wellspring: Student Wellness Program and the Prevention Subcommittee, a joint subcommittee of the Delaware Victims Rights Task Force and the Domestic Violence Task Force of Delaware. This program counts as part of the Blue Hen Leadership Program. Contact Susan Luchey to register your attendance at this program or to register for BHLP.
    Wed., April 25th, at 5:30pm catch the FREE BUS to DOVER (register in advance). Doors open at 6pm, event begins at 7pm.
    21st Annual Crime Victims' Tribute with Guest Speaker Kathleen Bonistall
    Bus leaves from Trabant Univ Ctr at 5:30pm. Event takes place at the Dover Sheraton, 1570 North Dupont highway, Dover, DE 19901
    The 21rst Annual Crime Victims’ Tribute is part of Delaware’s recognition of National Crime Victims Rights Week, April 22-28, 2012. The Tribute honors crime victims who have died and those who continue to struggle daily with the aftermath of their own or a loved one’s victimization. There are many displays such as the memorial wall filled with artwork, poems and letters written by victims, survivors and friends, and other displays in which victims are able to openly express their thoughts and feelings. Participants can bring their own letters or art pieces to add to the displays. Victims’ advocates throughout the state display resource materials to assist victims in their healing journey. This year’s speaker is Kathleen Bonistall, mother of UD student Lindsay Bonistall who was raped and murdered in her off-campus apartment in May 2005. The Bonistall family founded PEACE OUTside Campus, the Lindsay Bonistall Foundation to promote peaceful, safe living environments off-campus. Mrs. Bonistall will talk about how the crime has impacted her life and share a message of hope for all victims, survivors, advocates and law enforcement. Part of UD's Sexual Assault Awareness Month. FREE BUS provided by Student Activities & Programs will leave Trabant at 5:30pm but you must REGISTER to RIDE.