What to Do If You Think You Have Been Sexually Assaulted or Have Experienced Sexual Harassment, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, or Stalking

Students are strongly encouraged to report attempted or completed sexual assaults to the University Police Department 956-665-7151 (UTRGV Edinburg Campus) or 956-882-3832 (UTRGV Brownsville Campus). Reporting the incident does not mean that the victim/survivor must proceed with prosecution. Immediately following an attack, the victim/survivor should try to write down everything she or he remembers about the incident, including the physical description of the suspect(s) and any further information about the identity or location of the suspect(s).

If you or someone you know is unsure about whether you want to call the police, there are confidential victim advocates available 24/7 who can offer more information through campus (OVAVP – 956-665-8287 from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and OVAVP@utrgv.edu after hours) and through community organizations (Mujeres Unidas in Hidalgo County – 956-630-4878 or 800-580-4879 for the 24-hour crisis hotline, Friendship of Women in Brownsville: 956-544-7412, and Family Crisis Center in Harlingen: 956-423-9305 or 866-423-9304 for the 24-hour hotline).

If you have been sexually assaulted, McAllen Medical Center (956-632-4000) in Hidalgo County and Valley Baptist Medical Center (956-389-1100) in Harlingen have dedicated SAFE nurses (SAFE = Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner) available 24/7 in private, dedicated spaces to conduct rape exams.

Performing a rape exam does not obligate a victim or survivor to proceed with prosecution and rape exams are stored for two years in case a victim or survivor wishes to proceed with prosecution at a later date. The University Police Department and OVAVP advocates can assist in transporting sexual assault victims for a rape exam. The hospital will not charge a victim or survivor for performing a rape exam.