Many sexual assault survivors are shaken and unsure of what legal course of action they may eventually want to pursue. Timely reporting is an important factor in a sexual assault investigation and prosecution. It is important to understand that survivors are not required to pursue prosecution just because they report a crime to the police. Reporting a sexual assault keeps legal options open and may also prevent others from being victimized. Time is short in the sense that survivors are likely to be in a crisis and in need of immediate support.
Time is also short for securing evidence for possible prosecution.
On the other hand, survivors need time and ongoing emotional support in a constructive way. Help is available 24-hours a day. Worcester State College is developing a trained Volunteer Advocates for Sexual Assault Survivors to help provide this support during evening, weekends, and holidays. Assistance can also be obtained 24 hours a day through Campus Police, 929-8044 or X. 444 from the residence halls. Following a report of sexual assault, the SAC will complete a sexual assault incident report and will coordinate with departments to follow up on the services that are provided for each incident without the department's disclosing the survivor's name.