A crime of sexual violence occurs when a person is forced against his or her will to engage in any sexual contact or when sexual contact occurs without the victim's consent.  This is true whether the assailant is a stranger or someone known to the victim.  Crimes of sexual violence may or may not include penetration.  Rape is defined as sexual intercourse with a person by forcible compulsion or the threat of forcible compulsion or with a person who is incapable of giving consent.  If the assailant is known to the victim, rape may be referred to as acquaintance rape or date rape.  Sexual assault is defined as sexual intercourse without the consent of the victim; it does not require the use or threat of force.
 

If You are Raped or Sexually Assaulted:

• Get to a safe place as soon as you can.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible to take care of any physical injuries and to collect important evidence in the event you may later wish to take legal action.
•  Try to preserve all physical evidence.  DO NOT shower, wash, use the toilet, or change clothing if you can avoid it.  If you do change clothes, put all clothing you were wearing at the time of the attack in a paper bag (not plastic).
• Contact University Safety and Security by calling 9865 on campus, or the local police by calling 911.
• Talk with a counselor who can maintain confidentiality, help explain your options, give you information, and provide emotional support.  On campus you can call the UPG Counseling Center at 9870 or the local rape crisis center at (724) 836-1122.
•  Contact someone you trust, a close friend or a resident assistant to be with you and support you.

Medical Treatment

It is necessary for you to take care of your medical needs following a sexual assault. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent so you will need a medical exam to treat and document any injuries, to screen for sexually transmitted disease, and to do pregnancy testing.  Although your first thought may be to take a bath or shower, DON'T.  You should NOT change clothes, bathe, shower or douche until after the medical examination in order to preserve possible evidence.  Students can receive treatment at Westmoreland Hospital Emergency Room or any local hospital emergency room. The hospital must notify the police when any assault has occurred.  For confidential inquiries or information, please contact the University Nurse at (724) 836-9947.

Counseling and Emotional Support

The UPG Counseling Center (724-836-9870) is available to intervene in a crisis situation and provide you with information about your options including medical treatment, psychological counseling, University disciplinary action, and legal prosecution.  Assistance is provided to help a victim through the common reactions to an assault and to provide effective coping strategies.  All of these services are confidential.

Community rape crisis services are provided by The Center Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.  Their 24-hour emergency hotline is (724) 836-1122.  This organization provides information and confidential counseling to sexual assault victims as well as medical and legal accompaniment.
 
 

Reporting to Safety and Security

You can report an incident of sexual assault to UPG Safety and Security at (724) 836-9865.  A security officer will provide assistance and take your statement regarding the attack.  You may have a support person with you during this interview.

University security is required by law to contact local police any time a crime has been committed.  Reporting an incident is a separate step from choosing to prosecute.

Pursuing Legal Action

If you want to report the assault to criminal authorities, the Pennsylvania Sate Police can be contacted at (724) 832-3288.
 
 

University Disciplinary Action

If the alleged assailant is a UPG student, a victim of sexual assault is encouraged to discuss University judicial action with the Judicial Coordinator in room 219G Chambers Hall (724) 836-9954.  The Coordinator will review the procedures involved in a judicial hearing.  This discussion does not obligate you to pursue official action.

Both the victim and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities during a campus disciplinary proceeding and both the victim and the accused shall be informed to the outcome of any campus disciplinary proceeding brought alleging a sexual assault.

Housing and Academic Assistance

The University will provide assistance for relocation of residence and/or class rescheduling, if requested by a victim of a sexual assault, and if the changes are reasonably available.  Contact Residence Life at (724) 836-9953 for housing relocation, and the Vice-President for Academic Affairs at (724) 836-9886 for scheduling assistance.

Anonymous Reporting

All of these resources are available whether or not the sexual assault survivor chooses to report the attack.  Reporting is encouraged but it is ultimately the victim's decision.  University personnel will file an anonymous record of the assault among UPG's crime statistics in order to give an accurate representation of crime on campus and to help prevent further crimes of this nature.

The University of Pittsburgh, as an educational institution and as an employer, values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic and cultural diversity.  Accordingly, the University prohibits and will not engage in discrimination or harassment on the basis or race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era.  Further, the University will continue to take affirmative steps to support and advance these values consistent with the University's mission.  This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs and activities.  This is a commitment made by the University and is in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations. For information on University equal opportunity and affirmative action programs and complaint/grievance procedures, please contact Carol Calloway, Unit Affirmative Action Officer, 123 Millstein Library, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg (724) 836-9904 or William A. Savage Assistant to the Chancellor and Director of Affirmative Action (and Title IX, ADA and 504 Coordinator).  Office of Affirmative Action, 901 William Pitt Union, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, 412-648-7860.

Notice to Individuals with Disabilities

For accessibility/accommodation and assistance, please contact the Director of Learning Resources at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg:  Lou Ann Sears, 105 Faculty Office Building, 1150 Mt. Pleasant Road, Greensburg, PA 15601, (724) 836-7098 or (724) 836-7128 for TDD).

Important Resources

On-Campus Emergency……………………….. 9865
Off-Campus Emergency…………………… 911

Medical Treatment
UPG Health Center
216 Chambers Hall………………(724) 836-9947

Westmoreland Hospital
Emergency Room……………… (724) 832-4355

Police and Legal Information
UPG Safety and Security
104 Security
Information Building……………(724) 836-9865

Pennsylvania State Police……….(724) 832-3288

Westmoreland County
District Attorney…………………(724) 830-3271

Crime Victim Compensation
Victim Witness Office………… (724) 830-3271

Emotional Support

UPG Counseling Center
218 Chambers Hall………………(724) 836-9870

The Center Against Domestic
And Sexual Violence
24-hour hotline………………… (724) 836-1122
 

Student Services Offices
Dean…………………………….(724) 836-9916

Coordinator of
Resident Life………………….(724) 836-9953

Judicial Coordinator…………..(724) 836-9954

Resident Director……………..(724) 838-7999