If you’ve been sexually assaulted…
Seek Medical Attention as soon as possible
Confidential medical care is available regardless of whether you feel ready to report the assault to the Norton Police or to Wheaton Campus Safety.
- Morton Hospital in Taunton offers Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) services. A specially trained RN will conduct a forensic physical exam (rape kit) to collect evidence within 5 days of the assault. Morton ER offers Plan B to prevent pregnancy (within 5 days of the assault), HIV prophylaxis (within 3 days of the assault), medication to treat sexually transmitted infections, screening for date rape drugs (within 12 – 72 hours after the assault) and treatment for possible injuries.
- Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro does not offer SANE services although the staff is able to complete a forensic exam (rape kit). Sturdy ER offers Plan B to prevent pregnancy (within 5 days of the assault), HIV prophylaxis (within 3 days of assault), medication to treat sexually transmitted infections, treatment for possible injuries, and screening for date rape drugs (within 12 – 72 hours after the assault).
- Sturdy Health Primary Care – Norton – 508-285-9500; Weekdays from 9 AM to 4:30 PM (after hours doc-on-call available). Sturdy Health Primary Care – Norton offers Plan B to prevent pregnancy (within 5 days of the assault), to treat HIV (within 3 days of the assault) & sexually transmitted infections, offers screening for date rape drugs (within 12 – 72 hours after the assault) and treatment for possible injuries.
Preserve evidence of the assault. Place your clothing and other items (sheets, blankets) in a brown paper (not plastic) bag. Avoid drinking, bathing, showering, douching, brushing your teeth, using mouthwash, combing your hair or changing your clothes. Physical evidence will be collected if you choose to visit an Emergency Room. Write down, or have a friend write down, everything you can remember about the incident.
Report the Crime. Notify Campus Safety at 508-286-8213 or the Norton Police Department at 911. For some, reporting the crime can help regain a sense of personal power and control.
Talk about the Assault. Remember that being assaulted or raped is not your fault. You are not responsible for the actions of others and it is not your fault that someone decided to hurt you. Talking with supportive people will help you regain a feeling of control and help you feel less alone (regardless of whether you are ready to report the assault to the Norton Police or to Wheaton Campus Safety).
(Adapted from RAINN, “If you are raped.”)
Getting Help
24-Hour Emergency Response:
- Wheaton Campus Safety: 508-286-3333 PS may notify the Area Coordinator On-call and/or Dean On-call
- Area Coordinator On-call: 508-286-3333. The AC on-call can be contracted through PS. It is not necessary to disclose a reason for calling with dispatch; you may simply request to be contacted by the AC on-call.
- Norton Police: 911
- New Hope Rape Crisis CONFIDENTIAL Hotline: In-state calls: contact 1-800-323-4673. Out-of-state calls: contact 877-785-2020 (SafeLink and ask to be transferred to New Hope’s Hotline)
- Morton Hospital ER and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner: 508-828-7100
- Sturdy Memorial Hospital ER: 508-222-5200
During Regular Business Hours:
- Sturdy Health Primary Care – Norton: 508-285-9500 (CONFIDENTIAL); after hours doc-on-call available via this number)
- Wheaton Counseling Center: 508-286-3905 (CONFIDENTIAL)
- Wheaton Student Health and Counseling: 508-286-8210
- Wheaton’s Sexual Misconduct and Assault Resource Team (SMART)
- The Office of the Dean of Students: 508-286-8218 (if you are concerned that you or a friend may be in a potentially harmful or abusive relationship)
- Victim Rights Law Center: The VRLC provides victims of sexual assault with individual representation as a means to stabilize their lives post-traumatic assault – 617-399-6720
- Fenway Health’s Violence Recovery Program: Counseling, support groups, advocacy, and referral services for LGBT victims of domestic violence and sexual assault – 617-927-6250 or 800-834-3242; after 5 PM or on weekends – 877-785-2020
24-Hour Confidential Hotlines
- The Network/La Red Hotline 617-742-4911 – Working to end abuse in lesbian, bisexual women’s and transgender communities
- Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project Hotline 800-832-1901
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233
- SafeLink Hotline 877-785-2020 (Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence)