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Consent. Intervene. Support.

Emergency Resources

Where to Start?

It is completely normal for a student to need help or not know whether they would like to report an incident of sexual violence.

It is also every student's right not to report an incident to the university or law enforcement if they do not want the incident to be investigated.

Students are not required to provide additional information about the incident or participate in a university investigation in order to receive services or supportive measures.

Our goal is to provide all of our students with information on reporting options, so they can make an informed decision on what is best for them.

To see your available options, please click here.

It Was Not Your Fault

Sexual violence, including sexual assault, is a choice one person makes to ignore or deny someone else's wishes and autonomy.

Sexual assault is never the fault of the person experiencing harm, no matter the circumstance or the type of relationship between those involved.

It is never the survivor's fault, even if they:

  • had been drinking or used drugs.
  • froze in response to what was happening or did not fight back.
  • have little or no memory of what happened.
  • have had consensual sex with this individual or someone else before.
  • consented to one type of sexual intimacy, but not what they experienced.
  • withdrew consent after agreeing to sexual intimacy.

A survivor's experience is still valid, even if their perpetrator:

  • is related to you.
  • is popular/influential.
  • has the same gender identity as you.
  • is someone you know and trust.
  • is someone you do not know.

The Next Steps

If you or a friend has experienced sexual violence, it is important to first consider your safety. Are you safe from the person who harmed you? Do you need immediate help?

If you do not feel you are safe, call Oklahoma State University Police Department (OSUPD) or Stillwater Police Department (SPD) and they will immediately assist you.

  • OSUPD: (405) 744-6523 for on-campus incidents.
  • SPD: (405) 372-4171 for off-campus incidents

Once you have secured your safety, consider receiving medical attention.

Immediate medical attention may be necessary to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections and possible pregnancy, as well as treat any wounds incurred.

The Stillwater community is very fortunate to have a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) program at Stillwater Medical Center. This service assures a victim of sexual assault will receive an examination and treatment by a SANE nurse. The nurse will perform the examination and stay with the victim throughout the treatment process. Stillwater Medical Center (SMC), Wings of Hope, and law enforcement collaborate to provide service and care to survivors of sexual assault. This does not prevent you from receiving assistance from OSU's Sexual Assault Advocate. The OSU Student Health Center does not have the SANE program and does not provide emergency care. The following information may be helpful to know regarding the SANE exam and advocacy services:

  • In order to receive a sexual assault exam, you should go to Stillwater Medical Center ER. Once you are there, SMC will call law enforcement, a SANE nurse, and an advocate to meet you. If you call the OSU Sexual Assault Advocate or law enforcement before you get to the ER, they will dispatch the SANE nurse and a police officer to meet you.
  • Do not shower, bathe, douche, change or destroy clothes; do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum; do not take any medications; do not remove sheets from bed; do not straighten room or place of the incident. Preserving evidence is critical for criminal prosecution. If you do take evidence (i.e., sheets), you need to take it in a brown paper bag (not plastic). Plastic may contaminate evidence. Although an individual may not want to prosecute immediately after the incident, that choice may not be available later without credible evidence. The evidence collected can also be useful in the campus disciplinary process.
  • Receiving a SANE exam does not commit you to a full prosecution, rather will preserve any potential evidence if you decide you would like to prosecute later.
  • Upon arrival at Stillwater Medical Center, the victim will be taken to a private exam area. Only the nurse and possibly the advocate, if requested by the victim, will be in the exam room during the forensic exam. The police, nurse, and advocate will meet in another private room afterward or beforehand to take your statement, discuss resources, and answer questions.
  • The advocate will provide a packet of written materials to you. This material contains information about common reactions to sexual assault, follow-up medical needs, and support services. The advocate will encourage you to access any support services that you want/feel ready to utilize, such as counseling services available from the OSU Student Counseling Center or other community counseling resources.

Even if you choose not to access medical attention, you are encouraged to seek support services when you are ready. These might include counseling, law enforcement, or Student Support & Conduct services.

  • OSU has victim advocates (405-564-2129) that can assist you and help meet your immediate needs Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. The advocates will give you advice, information, talk with you about your options, and facilitate decision making.
  • Wings of Hope also has a 24-hour Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline (405-624-3020) to meet these needs during the evenings and weekends.
  • To learn about different on and off campus resources like counseling, visit our Resources page.
  • We are also able to provide additional safety measures and arrangements for survivors. You can read more about these services on our Supportive Measures page.