Sexual Assault Information

• 1 in 3 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
• 1 in 4 college women will be the victim of a rape or an attempted rape during their university years.
• More than 60% of rape victims/survivors know their attackers.
• 7% to 10% of all adult rape victims are males.
• Most rapists are motivated by hostility, fear of inadequacy and the need to control.
• Rapists use sex as a weapon to hurt, humiliate and intimidate their victims.
• The FBI estimates that only 1 in 10 rapes are reported to the police.

• Go to a safe place and tell someone you trust what happened.
• It’s your choice to report the crime to the police and/or the University, but remember that action against a rapist can prevent others from becoming a victim. If you would like to report the assault, you can call FSU Police Department or your local police department. You can also make a report to the Title IX Coordinator or another University staff member. Please know that most University employees are obligated to report if they know or suspect that a sexual assault has occurred.
• Don’t shower, bathe, douche or brush your teeth.
• Don’t throw away any clothing or objects that might contain evidence. Save every article of clothing worn during the attack without laundering it or altering it and place them into a paper bag if available. If you choose to go to the hospital, bring the bag with you. 
• Seek medical attention either at a local hospital or Health Services. Not all injuries are evident, so for your well-being, it is recommended that you receive a medical exam as soon as possible. Medical staff can help assess your needs including prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy, and emotional counseling.
• Be a good witness. Even though it may be hard, try to remember details. The sooner you tell, the sooner the attacker can be caught.
• Emotional care: Seek support from trusted friends or family. Go to the Counseling Center and a counselor can talk with you confidentially. Remember, it’s not your fault.
• Other supports on campus include the Dean of Students Office, Residence Life staff, and Campus Ministry. (Note that Campus Ministry staff is not always on campus, but will return messages.)

Survivors of sexual assaults may experience some of the following:

• Shock/numbness
• Helplessness
• Fear/anxiety
• Guilt/Self-Blame/Shame
• Difficulty sleeping or eating
• Academic difficulty/difficulty with attention and focus.
• Use of substances to manage painful feelings.
• Survivors have a variety of reactions that might surface at different times following the assault, days, weeks, or months later. Counseling can help survivors address these needs at any time.

• Listen carefully, without judgment.
• Do not blame. 
• Offer a safe place to stay.
• Let the survivor make decisions about next steps. All control has been stripped from the victim during the assault. Allow the victim to make decisions about what steps to take next.
• Assist in getting the treatment/services they need if they agree.
• Remain calm. You might feel shock or rage, but expressing these emotions to the victim may cause the victim more trauma.
• Encourage medical attention and counseling.
• Refer them to the resources and reporting information available on the SHAPE website.
• Seek help yourself.

• When someone you care about is assaulted, it is shocking and upsetting for you. You may have a range of reactions including anger, sadness, fear and helplessness.
• It is important to show the survivor that you care and are there to support them. Seek emotional support for yourself when you can.
• Most of the resources mentioned on the SHAPE website are available to those supporting survivors as well.

CODE BLUE ® emergency phones have been placed on all academic buildings, foyer of each residence hall, and the walkway behind Hemenway Hall. In addition, they are located in the following parking lots: Maynard, Maple, Athletic Field, Union Avenue, Upper and Lower Normal Hill, Linsley Lot and the Bement Shuttle Stop. These phones ring directly into the Framingham State University Police Department. When using these phones, please remain calm and give clear details of the situation you are reporting.

To operate an emergency phone, simply press the button. The Framingham State University Police Department will respond immediately. Even if you cannot speak, they will know your location and a cruiser will arrive on the scene very quickly. Audio contact with the Police Department will remain activated throughout the emergency.

The Framingham State University Police Department requests that students ask for escorts only when absolutely necessary and when no other options are available. Escorts are provided for safety reasons only. Escorts will be given from 2:00 a.m. until dawn. Students should plan their schedules accordingly as there are no escorts given during daylight hours.

The Student Transportation Center provides shuttle bus service to/from parking lots. Please check posted signs and the Student Transportation Center website for schedules and additional information. For more information, you may call the Student Transportation Center dispatch line at 508-215-5920.

We encourage students to walk in groups from parking lots or between residence halls when not using the shuttle bus service. The shuttle bus stop is located at the Bement parking lot. The bus route usually takes about 20 minutes for the entire circuit. Students may contact the Student Transportation Center at 508-215-5920 for immediate shuttle information.

Access to the residence halls is through designated main entrance doors only. Students are provided with a key access card coded for their hall only and an individual room key. Students should never share or give their key access card or room key to any other person. If a key access card or room key is lost, it should be immediately reported to the ID Office and Residence Life respectively.

Each residence hall desk is located in the lobby and is staffed by attendants who monitor people entering and leaving the building, including checking key access cards and/or IDs of all individuals entering the hall. Security cameras have been placed in each residence hall lobby for added security. Desks are staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week whenever students are living in the buildings. All visitors and guests of resident students are required to sign in and leave valid photo identification at the desk. Guests will be allowed in the building only when the sponsoring resident is present to accompany them to his or her room. Once a guest has been signed in, it is the responsibility of the resident to escort that guest at all times while he/she is in the building. Students will be held directly responsible for the actions of their guests.

Framingham State University does not own, nor does it sponsor or recommend, any off-campus housing. Students seeking off-campus housing are cautioned to check thoroughly with local police and the landlord of any rental property about the incidence of crime in the area. It is also important to check for adequate safety devices in the building or apartment prior to signing any lease agreement.