Sexual Assault Information

Office of Sexual Assault Services

Pitt’s Office of Sexual Assault Services coordinator, Mary Koch Ruiz, provides counseling to sexual assault survivors, assists them in obtaining medical care, and provides support in all aspects of their recovery. Ruiz also coordinates Pitt’s active approach to the prevention of sexual assault on campus.

Q: What is sexual assault?
A: Sexual assault is defined as nonconsensual but nonforcible sexual intercourse. The “no means no” law refers to sexual assault.

Q: What is rape?
A: Rape is defined as sexual intercourse with a person by forcible compulsion or sexual intercourse with a person who is incapable of giving consent. If the victim knows the assailant, rape may be referred to as acquaintance rape or date rape.

Here is a sampling of educational programs aimed at preventing rape and sexual assault:

Peer Education—The Office of Sexual Assault Services sponsors Peers2Peers, a volunteer coed peer education program designed to create an awareness of the dynamics of sexual assault on the Pitt campus, promote healthy relationships through effective communication, and prevent sexual victimization through educational programming. Peer educators are Pitt students who receive approximately 50 hours of training. They present workshops for students, faculty, or staff on topics such as power dynamics in relationships, sex and communication, sex role stereotypes, dating behaviors, etc. Workshops include videotapes, awareness exercises, role plays, and group discussions.
University Police Seminars—Members of Pitt’s police department provide special programs on sexual assault and other safety issues to student groups upon request.
Speakers from the Community—Pittsburgh Action Against Rape and the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime also provided speakers for campus groups during the past year.

UNIVERSITY EMERGENCY
PHONE NUMBERS

University of Pittsburgh Police EMERGENCIES 4-2121
or Noncampus Phone
412-624-2121
General Assistance 4-4040
or 412-624-4040

Sexual Assault Services
412-648-7930

Student Health Service
412-383-1800

University Counseling Center
412-648-7930

Assistant Dean of Students
412-648-7910

Environmental Health and Safety
412-624-9505

SafeRider
412-648-CALL (2255)

PITTSBURGH EMERGENCY
PHONE NUMBERS (OFF CAMPUS)

City of Pittsburgh Police,
Fire, Ambulance 911

Pittsburgh Action Against Rape
24-hour hotline 1-866-363-7273

Center for Victims of
Violence and Crime
24-hour hotline 412-392-8582