The type of coercion may range from psychological threat to physical violence with weapons. The type of contact may range from unwanted sexual touching to intercourse. The experience may severely traumatize the victim even when no physical force was used in the coercion. The assaulted person needs to know what services are available and who provides them. Similarly, they need to know the scope of any given provider's services.
Recent victims are often in a state of shock and confusion.
Thus, it is important that staff responding to the victim clearly define the options and emphasize that the victim has the right to choose among the options. Those providing services must be clear about the boundaries of confidentiality in their communications. In general, the assaulted person needs to be heard, to be respected, to understand options, and to move at his or her own pace through the process of recovery. Sexual assault must be directly confronted by the campus community. An array of medical, psychological, police, administrative, and disciplinary services is immediately available to students reporting sexual assault.