Sexual Assault

If you are sexually assaulted, there are many resources available to you, and we encourage you to turn to one or more.

Confidential counseling and support is available from:

  • Student Health and Counseling Services (SHACS):  x3230 (641/269-3230 off campus)
  • The campus Chaplain and Rabbi:  x4981 (641/269-4981 off campus)
  • Domestic Violence Alternatives/Sexual Assault Center (DVA/SAC):  1-800/779-3512

DVA/SAC is a regional organization which provides support, information, and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.  A number of Grinnell students are trained and serve as DVA/SAC Campus Advocates.  If you call DVA/SAC, you are welcome to request to speak with a Campus Advocate.

Please note that SHACS professional staff and Religious Life and Counseling Services clergy are not mandatory reporters of sexual assault.  We are required to track and report the number of sexual assaults about which we are told, but this is all we report unless a student requests us to communicate with someone else about him/her/zir. 

If you are injured, we encourage you to speak with a SHACS nurse (during business hours) and/or to go to Grinnell Regional Medical Center (GRMC) for medical care.  Our nurses can check for infection and provide emergency contraception, other nursing care, and referrals as appropriate.  If you go to GRMC, you can request a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) for your exam.  If a SANE is available, this person will conduct the exam for you.  If no SANE is available, another nurse will conduct your exam.  You are also welcome to request that a DVA/SAC Campus Advocate or other support person accompany you during the exam.

If you are considering legal action, please know that physical evidence of sexual assault must be recovered within 72 hours of the assault.  Student Health and Counseling Services staff are not able to provide this forensic exam;  in Grinnell, it is available at GRMC.  A DVA/SAC advocate can also accompany you during this exam if you desire.

You may decide to file a complaint with the Dean of Students and/or with the Grinnell Police Department.  If you would find it helpful, Campus Safety and Security staff can assist you in either or both of these processes.

If, as a result of the assault, you would like a change in your housing, Student Affairs staff can assist you.