If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Advocates are available to assist with understanding options, connecting with resources, creating safety plans and more.
Safety Alert: The abuser may be monitoring your computer use. Consider using a safer computer such as one in a public library or come into the SCSU Women’s Center to get information on avoiding cyberstalking.
More information about finding and accessing support, understanding your rights and options, and sorting through your emotions.
Most hospital emergency rooms conduct sexual assault evidence exams within 72 hours (in some cases up to 120 hours) after the assault. You will not be charged for the cost of the evidence exam. You do not need to formally report the incident to law enforcement to obtain medical attention or receive support services.
If you need assistance with transportation contact the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center which has arrangements with a local taxi company to provide transportation to be paid for by the Center.
St. Cloud Emergency Trauma Center (320) 255-5656
Provides emergency medical services, sexual assault evidence exams by SANES (Sexual assault Nurse Examiners), treatment for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy test and emergency contraception.
1404 6th Ave. N.
St. Cloud, MN
St. Cloud State Medical Clinic (320) 308-3191
Does not provide evidence exams but will document injuries, provide needed medical treatment, treat sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy tests and emergency contraception.
Remember: You cannot change a violent partner’s behavior, but you can take steps to try and remain safe.
Relationship violence includes and is sometimes referred to as dating or domestic violence.
St. Cloud Emergency Trauma Center (320) 255-5656
Provides emergency medical services
1404 6th Ave. N.
St. Cloud, MN
St. Cloud State Student Medical Clinic (320) 308-3191
Medical evaluation, treatment and documentation of injuries.
Gender Violence Prevention Program (320) 308-3995
Women’s Center
Confidential advocates can help you devise a personalized safety plan specific to your situation, give you information about local laws, refer you to other services, help you file a protection order.
Have a set of clothes and sets of important documents (savings account records, check books, safety deposit keys, birth certificates, school records, deeds, other legal documents) for yourself (and children) stored at a friend's house at work or a locker at school in the event you need to flee quickly.
For more safety planning tips, see Personal Safety Planning Guide.
If you feel unsafe on campus, call the St. Cloud State Public Safety Department’s escort service at (320) 308-3333.
Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous. No two stalking situations are alike. There are no guarantees that what works for one person will work for another. Yet you can take steps to increase your safety.
Gender Violence Prevention Program (320) 308-3995
Women’s Center
Confidential
Advocates can help you devise a personalized safety plan specific to your situation, give you information about local laws, refer you to other services, help you file a protection order and provide information on protecting yourself from cyber-stalking.
These resources are not confidential, however, are available as a resource to help you determine if what you have experienced goes against St. Cloud State University policy.
Confidential options are also available, see "Get confidential counseling and support" below.
All of the following resources can assess your needs and make referrals for other services as needed. They can also explain your reporting options and assist you in your decisions about reporting to law enforcement and/or campus.
Counseling and Psychological Services (320) 308-3171
Provides counseling to help undergraduate and graduate students address the personal, mental health, and academic issues that arise in their lives.
Medical Clinic (320) 308-3191
Provides treatment and documentation of injuries, STI testing and treatment, emergency contraception and a full pharmacy.
Relationship violence
24-hour crisis lines are available through:
Sexual violence
Attempted, threatened or actual sexual violence is a crime. You have the right to report it.
Learn about your reporting options.
If you live off campus and are not safe, you can get emergency housing on campus in the residence halls for a short amount of time. During business hours, call the Gender Violence Prevention Program at (320) 308-3995 and after hours call Public Safety at (320) 308-3333. If you are living off campus and want need to move for your safety, Minnesota law allows victims of sexual assault, domestic (relationship) violence and stalking to terminate a lease. You can work with an advocate from the Gender Violence Prevention Program.
If you are in the residence halls on campus and feel unsafe, you can talk with your hall director about moving to a different hall.
Advocates at Anna Marie's, (320) 253-6900, and at the Gender Violence Prevention Program, (320) 308-3995 can help you assess the level of danger you are in and develop a personalized safety plan. This may include finding ways to prevent unwanted contact such as alternative classes, housing or other accommodations.
You may want to consider filing a harassment restraining order or an order for protection with civil court. Advocates can help you find out if you qualify for one. Protection orders are a legal document from the courts that prohibits harassment, stalking, physical violence or threats of physical violence by the abuser.
Drugs or alcohol can be used by perpetrators to decrease someone’s ability to recognize what is happening, to impair their ability to resist and to diminish their memory of what occurred.
The most common drug that is used is alcohol. There are other drugs, such as sleeping aids, Reynolds or GHB that can be put into a drink and are hard to detect.
Signs that you may have been drugged:
Listen to yourself
Do not doubt what you feel. Don’t listen to acquaintances who may have been around you that night who tell you that you were “really messed up.” Some drugs will make you seem to others that you are drunk or high when you have had nothing or very little to drink. Go with your instincts. You know when something has happened to you.
Call a trusted friend or family member and go to the hospital
You’ll need someone with you that can think clearly, because chances are, the drugs are making it hard for you to think. Drugs used to facilitate sexual assault leave the body quickly; it is important to go to the hospital immediately so a urine sample can be gathered. When you arrive at the emergency trauma center, tell them immediately that you suspect that you were drugged.
Do not blame yourself
It is important to remember that it is not your fault. The responsibility for the assault lies with the perpetrator, not you.
Don't let alcohol or drugs prevent you from reporting
St. Cloud State follows the Good Samaritan exception to the Drug and Alcohol policy. See the "Consider filing a report" section above.
All of the resources listed on this website are available to all victim/survivors. The following are additional resources for specific populations.
A student with a disability recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act may require new or adjusted accessibility services if they are involved in a sexual violence or misconduct situation. Student Accessibility Services is available to provide helpful resources and assist with accommodations.
Male victims experience similar effects of sexual violence as female victims such as shame, grief, anger and fear. Male victims may also have issues surrounding their sexual and/or gender identity after a sexual assault. Issues of reporting and talking about their experiences may be especially difficult for male victims because of gender socialization issues.
Sexism and racism intersect and it is this intersection that creates a higher risk of sexual violence and relationship violence for women of color. There can also be more barriers for women of color when seeking out help. Sexual violence committed against women of color is sometimes seen as insignificant and justified by stereotypes of women of color. The Women’s Center can help find materials and organizations that specifically address these barriers.
Sexual assault is a worldwide issue. Response to sexual harassment and assault varies from nation to nation. Your safety and health is a priority. You should never feel obligated to engage in activities that make you uncomfortable. If you experience harassment or sexual violence while abroad, get to a safe place. Notify your faculty director, local police or an individual whom you trust.
A student who has reported sexual assault to St. Cloud State University and subsequently chooses to transfer to another college or university, may request information about resources for victims of sexual assault at the college or university to which they are transferring. Any of the sources listed above can assist in gathering this information.
Anyone can be commercially sexually exploited. Sometimes sex traffickers target college students with the promise of something of value. Commercial sexual exploitation can be any sexual activity traded or exchanged for something of value or the promise of something of value. Something of value includes, but is not limited to, money, a place to stay, food, clothes, rent, transportation, drugs, alcohol, medication, protection, a job or survival. Examples of CSE include survival sex/rape, prostitution, pornography, sexting, escorting, erotic massage, stripping, exotic dancing, webcamming, or sugar daddy arrangements.
Minnesota law states sex trafficking involves a third party who aids in the above (including driving, facilitating, or profiting from the prostitution of another). For more information and help: https://cmsac.org/human-trafficking-services/