Sexual Assault Information

If a Sexual Assault Occurs

Call Pitt’s police department (if on campus, call 4-2121; if at a noncampus phone, call 412-624-2121) or city of Pittsburgh police at 911. Either will provide you with support and transportation to the nearest hospital.

Q: Why do I need to go to a hospital?
A: All victims of sexual assault are encouraged to seek medical attention for their own physical health and to preserve all physical evidence. Even if there is no physical injury, victims should be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and internal trauma.

Q: What if I don’t want to seek medical attention?
A: If you do not wish to go to a hospital, either Pitt or city police can assist you in getting to a safe place, obtaining any other aid that you may need (counseling, etc.), and contacting
parents and/or friends if you desire.

Q: Does calling the police mean I have to press charges?
A: No. You do not have to press charges if you call either of these police offices.

Q: What are my other resources?
A: Call Pitt’s Office of Sexual Assault Services at 412-648-7930 or 412-648-7856 if after 5 p.m. The coordinator, Mary Koch Ruiz, provides counseling as well as support throughout the medical, judicial, and recovery processes. Students can also obtain information about available medical, legal, and counseling resources within the University and local communities from this office.

University of Pittsburgh students who are assaulted also have several other resources available:

Residence hall students can contact their resident assistant, resident director, or other residence life staff (available 24 hours).
Any Pitt student can contact the University Counseling Center at 412-648-7930 or the Student Health Service at 412-383-1800.
Community resources include Pittsburgh Action Against Rape at 1-866-363-7273 (answers 24 hours) and the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime at 412-392-8582 (answers 24 hours). Both groups provide an advocate/escort to accompany victims through the medical and/or legal process. Students who seek assistance from these offices are not obligated to press charges against the assailant.

Q: If I report a sexual assault, will my name become public knowledge? What happens to the information?
A: Security personnel will file a record of any on-campus assault among Pitt’s crime statistics in order to give an accurate representation of crime on campus and to help prevent further crimes of this nature. In general, campus and city of Pittsburgh newspapers do not print names of victims of sexual assault.

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