Help for Victims

First Steps

Find a safe location away from the perpetrator.

• If possible, ask a trusted friend to be with you for moral support.
• Remember that what happened was not your fault.
• Campus safety (301-696-3111) and the Frederick County Police Department (911) can assist in securing your safety.

Preserve all evidence of the attack or incident.

• Do not bathe, wash your hands, brush your teeth, eat, or smoke.
• If you are still in the location at which the crime occurred, do not clean or straighten up or remove anything.
• Write down all the details you can recall about the attack and the perpetrator.

Consider filing a report.

• Report the attack to law enforcement immediately
  • Frederick Emergency Communications (911)
  • Campus Safety (301-696-3111)
• The National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) can help you understand the reporting process.

You are under no obligation to do so. 

Seek medical care as soon as possible.

• Even if you do not have any visible physical injuries, you may be at risk of acquiring an STD/STI or unwanted pregnancy.
• Frederick Health Hospital is equipped to collect forensic evidence.
• Ask the health care professional to conduct a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE), and if you suspect you have been drugged, request that a urine sample be collected to preserve evidence.

Once you have gotten through these steps, you may be able to think more calmly about the incident, and then you should consider whether you wish to file a complaint against the alleged attacker through Hood College Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment.

The Title IX Coordinator (301-696-3123) can help you to navigate that process.

Support/Resource Person

When you make contact with a College official (whether a confidential resource, or a person who is required to report certain information about the incident), you will be offered the opportunity to have a College-appointed resource person assist you in working through the situation.

As a victim, you are entitled to:

• A resource person who can listen;
• A resource person who can assist you in understanding and navigating the process;
• A resource person who can help you understand how this may affect you and your family;
• A resource person who can connect you with appropriate campus and off-campus resources.

Your support person may help in many ways, including:

• He or she may attend meetings with you (such as investigative conversations, housing relocation discussions, resolution agreement discussions, grievance hearings, etc.) as a support person.
• He or she can help you review and understand documents and materials from the investigation, the final report, and any sanctioning agreements, as requested.
• He or she may provide you with general support. He or she may help you to manage any immediate or ongoing separation needs, as necessary.
• He or she can provide information and referral to additional College or community resources for additional support.

Bryan Robinson, P.h.D.
Coordinator of Title IX, Investigation, and Campus Accessibility 
Alumnae Hall, Room 308
titleix@hood.edu
301-696-3123