Go to a Safe Place
Talk to someone you trust.
As soon as you are in a safe place, tell someone you can trust about the incident—someone
who can provide emotional support and objectively help you make a plan.
In an emergency:
Dial 911 or call:
Take care of yourself.
Seek medical and emotional support.
Remember, you are not to blame. Intentional self-care can help you cope with the short-
and long-term effects of a difficult or traumatic experience. You may also want to
consider evidence collection, if applicable. There are many options for support on
LSU’s campus and in the Baton Rouge community.
Support on Campus
LSU Lighthouse Program
The LSU Lighthouse Program offers confidential support to survivors and can act as your guidepost in navigating
the aftermath of this experience. If you’re not sure where to start, the Lighthouse
program can help. Lighthouse staff are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to
5 p.m. Call 225-578-5718
LSU Student Health
The LSU Student Health Center provides medical and mental health care to students on campus.
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Medical providers can treat visible physical injuries, identify injuries that may
not be visible, and, where appropriate, test for and treat sexually transmitted infections
and pregnancy, and provide emergency contraception. Medical screening and treatment
with or without evidence collection can be performed at any time. The first 120 hours,
or five days, after an assault are critical to the preservation and collection of
forensic evidence. It is also a critical time for medical treatment for potential
pregnancy or transmission of infections. A survivor may seek treatment with their
private physician or a provider at the LSU Student Health Center. There is no charge
for medical screening and treatment at the LSU Student Health Center.
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Mental Health Service (MHS) providers can help treat psychological impacts from difficult or traumatic
experiences. Counseling can assist with developing helpful strategies for coping and
healing.
The LSU Student Health Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ThePhone
Call, text, or chat with ThePhone, a 24/7 crisis intervention service providing emotional support and referral services.
Contact 225-924-LSU1 (5781) or visit ThePhone to chat with a Paraprofessional Counselor.
Support in the Baton Rouge Community
East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office
The East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office offers evidence collection by a specially trained
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). The SANE program allows survivors of sexual trauma to have a forensic exam or “sexual assault evidence
collection kit” collected by a SANE. Each examiner is specially trained in collecting
evidence and working with survivors of sexual assault. To receive a forensic exam,
you can go to any local emergency department in Baton Rouge and the SANE will be dispatched
to collect evidence.
Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR)
STAR provides free and confidential support services to survivors of sexual trauma. STAR
advocates are available 24/7 to accompany survivors to the hospital for a forensic
exam, assist survivors with identifying their options for reporting and referrals
for additional assistance, and provide support throughout the reporting, investigation,
and court process. STAR also provides free individual and group counseling as well
as legal representation to survivors of sexual trauma. Contact 1-855-435-STAR for
information and support. Learn more at www.star.ngo.
Iris Domestic Violence Center
Iris Domestic Violence Center offers crisis intervention, shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy to survivors
of dating and domestic violence in the Greater Baton Rouge Community. Contact their
24/7 hotline at (225) 389-3001 or statewide toll free at 1-800-541-9706.
Take your Personal Safety Seriously
It may be helpful to pursue a restraining order, sometimes called an order of protection.
A restraining order is a court order that prohibits someone from abusing, threatening,
harassing, or stalking you. Depending on your circumstances, it could be beneficial
to create a safety plan. If you are interested in obtaining a restraining order, you can obtain more information
by contacting one of the following:
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LSUPD connects survivors with community resources specializing in obtaining restraining
orders. Telephone: 225-578-3231
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STAR (Sexual Trauma and Awareness Response) can represent survivors in obtaining a restraining
order in cases involving sexual violence. Telephone: 1-855-435-STAR (7827)
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IRIS can represent survivors in obtaining a restraining order in cases involving domestic
violence. Telephone: 225-389-3001 or 1-800-541-9706
Find additional Resources here
Reporting is a personal choice.
You are in the driver’s seat when it comes to filing a report or a complaint.
Reporting sexual misconduct or violence to law enforcement and/or the university is
a personal choice that only you can make. You have the option to report domestic and
sexual violence to on-campus authorities, off-campus authorities, or both. With on-campus
reporting, our primary goal is to help you navigate any processes you choose to pursue,
and provide you with support customized to meet your needs. Reporting to a Title IX
Staff member will allow LSU to take appropriate action to stop the behavior, prevent
it from occurring in the future, and provide support and resources to you. Reporting to our office does not automatically initiate an investigation.
Although it’s not required, if you’ve been a target of a crime, you’re encouraged
to report the police; LSU will help you work with them.
Find the right support.
If you’ve been violated, you will likely benefit from on-going emotional support.
Anger, fear, anxiety, physical pain, sleep disturbance, lack of appetite, shame, guilt,
depression, and intrusive thoughts can develop in the days to weeks following an assault
or violation. Many individuals are reluctant to seek help because of their fear that thinking or talking about their
experience will be too painful. However, most folks find continued emotional support
and counseling helpful in the process of recovering and moving on with their life.
Finding the right support and resources is individual and unique to your needs. It
can be daunting to navigate all the different options available to you. When in doubt,
contact the Title IX Case Manager or the Lighthouse Program, especially if you don’t
know where to start.
