Crisis Intervention and Advocacy are available during regular business hours (8-5). On-Call Staff Advocates are available for immediate assistance after hours. Call the local hotline at (979-731-1000) for more information.

Crisis Intervention

1. Make sure you are safe.  Call 911 if you are still in danger.
2. Seek medical attention at emergency room.
• A medical exam can be performed to check for physical injuries, and medication can be provided for STIs.  Additional information will be provided for follow up medical care.
• An emergency room visit does not require a report to police (unless involving a minor).
• Request a victim’s advocate.  A trained advocate can provide needed medical and legal information.
3. Consider completing a forensic exam at a hospital.
• This exam collects evidence.  You can do the exam now, and make a decision to report the assault at another time, if you choose.
• Before going to the hospital, do not bathe or brush your teeth. If possible, stay in the clothes the assault occurred in, or bring them with you to the hospital (unwashed).
• Consider the RAINN Guidelines
• The forensic exam is provided at no cost to the survivor.
4. Consider if you would like to report the assault/abuse to police.
• Each survivor has the right to make the choice to report or not.
• If you want to report, law enforcement can meet you at the hospital.
• However, the decision does not have to be made at the hospital.  Forensic evidence can be stored and processed at a later time, if you decide to report then.
5. After immediate crisis:
• Healing takes time and is an individual process.
• Counseling is available to all affected.
• It is never too late to ask for help, whether the assault / abuse is recent or from many years ago, even childhood.

Advocacy