University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Sexual Assault Support Services

If an emergency, call Campus Police: 814-269-7005

What To Do  |  Resources   | Frequently Asked Questions

The sexual assault services program of the Pitt-Johnstown Office of Health and Counseling Services offers specialized counseling services designed to assist students who have experienced sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and harassment.

To access any of the specialized services of the sexual assault services program or to request a consultation, contact the Office of Health and Counseling Services at 814-269-7119 (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or Campus Police at 814-269-7005 (24 hours a day/7 days a week). 

Individual counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, and community referrals are provided. In addition, the University assists students with obtaining medical, police, and judicial resources within the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and the local community.

What To Do

What To Do if You Are Sexually Assaulted

Call the Office of Health and Counseling Services at 814-269-7119 (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or Campus Police at 814-269-7005 (24 hours a day/7 days a week). and state that you have been sexually assaulted. You will be connected with the sexual assault specialist who will provide crisis support (via telephone or in-person) and assistance in obtaining medical care, legal assistance, and University support. 

Seek crisis support as soon as possible.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible. All survivors of sexual assault are encouraged to seek medical attention for their own physical health, as well as to preserve evidence.

To preserve evidence, do not shower, douche, or change clothes or bedding before seeking medical attention. If oral contact occurred during the assault, do not brush your teeth, smoke or eat. Even if you do not want to pursue legal action, preserving evidence keeps your options open in case you later change your mind.

Seek legal assistance by reporting the crime to University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown police (at 814-269-7005 or 7005 from a campus phone). You have the right to proceed with pressing charges even if you have filed a report. For additional information, please review How the Campus Police Help Sexual Assault Survivors University.

If the assailant is a University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown student, you may file a report with the Office of Student Conduct (814-269-7062, 142 Student Union Building). Any member of the University community may initiate a proceeding against a student by filing a complaint through the Office of Student Conduct.

Consider seeking specialized counseling for coping with the trauma associated with sexual assault. 

On campus, contact the Office of Health and Counseling Services at 814-269-7119 to initiate counseling with the sexual assault services specialist. The sexual assault services specialist can also assist with referrals to specialized counseling services off-campus.

Off-campus, referrals for specialized counseling services for survivors of sexual assault are available through Victim Services Inc., 814-288-4961 or 800-755-1983, or the Women’s Help Center, 814-536-5361 or 800-999-7406.

Links
How Campus Police Help Sexual Assault Survivors
The Campus Police have personnel experienced in handling cases of sexual assault. The following scenario describes how the Campus Police respond to reports of sexual assault.

Upon receiving the report, an officer is sent immediately to the scene, where general information is obtained from the survivor and witnesses. The officer encourages the survivor to seek urgent medical attention and will assist with transportation to a local emergency department. The initial officer arriving on the scene will prepare a report of the incident.

A second officer arrives on the scene to safeguard evidence and list possible witnesses. A Campus Police sergeant will oversee the preliminary investigation.

A Campus Police investigator is contacted. This investigator meets with the survivor either on the scene or at the hospital. The investigator interviews the survivor, assists the survivor in contacting the appropriate support resources (if desired), and prepares an incident report.

Incident reports prepared by Campus Police are confidential. In compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1992, some information regarding the nature of the incident, general location, and non-specific details will be released to the University community. Names of sexual assault survivors are not released to the University community.

If the survivor of a sexual assault wishes to prosecute, investigators pursue prosecution via the criminal court system and/or the Student Conduct. This includes case preparation, maintenance of evidence, witness interviews, and testimony in court. The investigator will accompany the survivor through all stages of prosecution.

How to Help a Sexual Assault Survivor

  • Listen and let the survivor express his/her feelings.
  • For assistance, contact the Office of Health and Counseling Service at 814-269-7119 and they can provide you with information concerning the safety of the survivor, medical attention, reporting procedures, and legal resources to the extent possible. Information shared with the Sexual Assault Services Specialist will be kept confidential.
  • Encourage the survivor to contact the Office of Health and Counseling Service for crisis support, assistance with seeking medical attention, and support in seeking legal assistance.
  • Support the survivor in deciding how to proceed. Assist the survivor in contacting and accessing the resources she/he has chosen. Assist the survivor in contacting the resources she/he wishes.
  • Get help for yourself if you need it. It isn't easy to listen to the details of a sexual assault, especially if you are a friend or relative of the person who is the survivor. Consider contacting the Office of Health and Counseling Service at 814-269-7119 to schedule an appointment for counseling services.  

Victim's Bill of Rights

Pitt-Johnstown will afford students the following rights:

  • To be believed.
  • To be given the same credibility as any other crime victim.
  • To seek and receive help, including counseling and mental health services.
  • To receive courteous and efficient treatment.
  • To be treated with dignity and respect, without prejudice against race, class, lifestyle, age, gender, sexual orientation, or occupation.
  • To receive accurate information, presented in a way that is understood.
  • To ask questions.
  • To make her/his own decisions.
  • To change her/his mind.
  • To notify law enforcement and to be assisted by campus authorities in doing so.
  • To be afforded the opportunity to have others, such as a support person or witness, present during a disciplinary proceedings against the perpetrator.
  • To be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary proceeding against the perpetrator.
  • To change academic and living situations.
  • To heal.
Pennsylvania law

Pennsylvania law classifies sexually based assaults according to the following definitions:

Sexual Assault includes non-consensual, unforced sexual intercourse or attempted sexual intercourse. The “NO means NO” law refers to sexual assault. 

Rape refers to sexual intercourse or attempted sexual intercourse with a person by forcible compulsion, by threat of forcible compulsion, or with a person who is incapable of giving consent.

Indecent Assault refers to any unwanted sexual contact, including kissing, grabbing, or fondling. 

Resources

On Campus:

G-10 Student Union 
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
814-269-7119 

142 Student Union 
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
814-269-7062​

Director of Equity and Community Engagement
Title IX Officer
G-52 Student Union
814-269-7113

300 Highfield Avenue
814-269-7222 (emergency)
814-269-7005 (non-emergency)

In the Community:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I wait before having a rape examination?

A rape examination must be done within the first 72 hours after an assault.

Can I file a police report without pressing charges?

If an on-campus sexual assault occurs and is reported to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Police Department, there will be an investigation.

Can I have a physical examination without having evidence collected?

Yes. A physical examination can be done at any hospital, however it is recommended that you seek treatment at Conemaugh Health System facilities. You can be tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), internal trauma, and pregnancy.

Can I file a police report without pressing charges?

If an on-campus sexual assault occurs and is reported to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Police Department, there will be an investigation.

What do I need to do if I think I have been the victim of a "date rape" drug?

Seek medical attention at a hospital emergency department as soon as possible.

What can happen to a person who has been the victim of a "date rape" drug?

The drugs Rohypnol, also known as "Roofies," and Liquid X, otherwise known as "GHB" (gamma hydroxybutyrate), are both slipped into the drinks of unsuspecting men and women. These drugs can have long-lasting effects, including little or no memory of what transpired. Victims may experience any of the following symptoms: confusion, headache, drowsiness, nausea, reduced reflexes, impaired motor skills, poor coordination, amnesia, and coma.

What legal options are available to me after a sexual assault?

If the assailant is a University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown student, you can file a complaint within the University through the Office of Studet Conduct (814-269-7112, 142 Student Union Building). Criminal charges can be filed outside the University through the District Attorney's Office. The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown police department or the Richland Township police department can assist you with filing charges through the District Attorney's Office.