Columbia University Health Services

70% of student victims tell a friend or someone else they know that they were assaulted. Active support of a friend is a primary factor that distinguishes those who report from those who do not. 

If your friend has been sexually assaulted, s/he may experience:

• Shock
• Denial
• Disbelief
• Fear
• Anger
• Helplessness
• Embarrassment
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Depression
• Inability to concentrate or relax
• Disturbances in eating or sleeping habits
• Resurfacing memories of past abuse

For some, the emotional impact of sexual assault can be immediate and short term. For others the effects can be long lasting. Your friend may find it helpful to talk to a counselor trained to understand and assist victims of sexual assault.

What you can do:

Listen.

Believe unconditionally.
People rarely lie about being sexually assaulted. Be sure your friend knows how much you support him/her.

Let the survivor control the situation.
Let your friend determine the pace of healing. Help your friend understand the options available, and encourage your friend to keep his/her options open. Most important, allow your friend to make his/her own decisions.

Assure your friend it was not his/her fault.
No one asks to be sexually assaulted. Avoid blaming questions and judgmental statements such as, ”Why didn’t you scream?” or ”If I ever get my hands on the creep. . .” Do not search for things your friend should have done.

Give your full attention.
A friend may confide in you ten minutes or ten years after the assault. It does not matter so much what you say but how well you listen. Remember that your friend’s sense of trust has been violated, so one of the most important things you can do is respect his/her need for confidentiality.

Trust Your Instincts.
If the assault happened recently, encourage your friend to get medical attention as soon as possible.

Do not be afraid to ask for outside help.
Your friend may need medical attention or counseling. Offer to help your friend through these processes.

Your friend can get medical attention from a private doctor, a clinic, or a hospital emergency room. Only the emergency room can collect evidence that can be used in a criminal trial. It is the patient's legal right to decide to report. Bringing a friend or advocate to the ER can be very helpful.

 

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Your friend can get medical attention from the Health Services at Columbia, a private doctor, a clinic, or a hospital emergency room. It is the patient's legal right to decide to report. We recommend that the survivor bring an advocate with him/her to the emergency room. 

Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Program (SVPRP) provides comprehensive and integrated education, support and advocacy about sexual and relationship violence. The program supports survivors and fosters individual and collective action to end sexual and relationship violence. For more information go to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Program.

The Barnard Columbia Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence Support Center provides peer counseling and advocacy services for survivors and co-survivors of sexual and relationship violence. For more information go to the Barnard-Columbia Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence Support Center.

Disciplinary Procedure for Sexual Misconduct 212 854 1717  

Barnard Health Services 212 854 2092 

Barnard clinician on-call 212 666 5838

Barnard Furman Counseling Services 212 854 2092 

Barnard Public Safety 212 854 3362 

Counseling & Psychological Services 212 854 2468 

Primary Care Medical Services 212 854 7426 

Columbia University clinician-on-call for after-hours health concerns 212 854 9797 

Columbia University Public Safety 212 854 2796  

Nightline (10pm-3am) 212 854 7777 

Morningside Campus University Ombuds Office 212 854 1234 

Columbia University Medical Center Campus 212 305 3400

Columbia University Medical Center for Student Wellness 212 304 5564

Columbia University Medical Center Mental Health Services 212 795 4181 

Columbia University Medical Center clinician-on-call 212 305 5549

Medical Center Campus Public Safety x99 or 305-8100 

Columbia University Medical Center Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action 212 854 5511