The Towson University Counseling Center is here to assist students who have experienced sexual violence. We also work hard to educate the university community about sexual violence and violence prevention.
The Towson University Counseling Center is here to assist students who have experienced sexual violence. We also work hard to educate the university community about sexual violence and violence prevention.
Sexual violence is an umbrella term that encompasses many different acts such as relationship violence, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, sexual intimidation, stalking, and child sexual abuse. See the educational material below to learn more about these terms.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you do not have to face the situation alone. Come to us for assistance and support. Call 410-704-2512 to speak with one of our counselors.
TU Counseling Center: 410-704-2512
The Health Center: 410-704-2466
CARE Team: 410-704-2055 or submit a CARE form online
Title IX Coordinator: 410-704-0203
Report sexual violence by submitting an online report to the Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity
Safewalk: 410-704-7233 (SAFE)
Center for Student Diversity provides academic, social, and transition support for underserved students and promotes exchanges and dialogue between individuals of diverse backgrounds and identities.
You can seek care at any local hospital even if you think you don’t want to press charges.
Both GBMC and Mercy hospitals perform SAFE. If you think you may want to press charges, you may want to receive a SAFE exam to preserve evidence. The exam must be completed as soon as possible after the assault (typically within 120 hours).
Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC)
443-849-3323
6701 N. Charles St. Towson, MD 21204
Mercy Medical Center
410-332-9499
345 St Paul Pl, Baltimore, MD 21202
TurnAround
Provides counseling and support services to those impacted by human trafficking, sexual
and intimate partner violence. Offers individual and group trauma therapy, advocacy
and resources, community engagement and training, abuser intervention programs, crisis
response services, and legal referral coordination.
24-hour Crisis Helpline: 443-270-0379
Crisis Text Line: 410-498-5956
Towson: 410-377-8111
Baltimore: 410-837-7000
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network: (RAINN)
The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. Talk to a trained staff member
from your local sexual assault service provider.
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | CHAT online with a trained staff member who can provide you confidential crisis support.
Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA)
Works to help prevent sexual assault, advocate for accessible, compassionate care
for survivors of sexual violence, and work to hold offenders accountable. They provide
helpful information regarding what to do after an experience of sexual violence, offer
rape crisis center locators, and make many other resources available.
1-800-893-RAPE (7273)
Sexual Assault Legal Institute (SALI)
Provides comprehensive legal services to survivors of sexual violence statewide, as
well as training and technical assistance for professionals working with survivors.
301-565-2277
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Provides 24/7 service available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress
(800) 273-TALK (8255) | CHAT
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Helps individuals who have experienced relationship violence to find support and assistance
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) | CHAT | Text “START” to 88788
Create a safety plan
House of Ruth
Offer a 24 hour hotline, client service coordinators, emergency shelter, legal clinic
services, individual and group counseling, and abuse intervention
410-889-RUTH (7884) | CHAT
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Does not provide direct services; however, they offer several other resources to support
efforts to change conditions that lead to domestic violence (e.g., patriarchy, privilege,
racism, sexism, and classism).
National Human Trafficking Resource Center/Polaris Project
Operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline and offer many resources
1-888-373-7888 | Text: HELP to BeFree (233733) | CHAT
National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Work to defend and expand the rights of all immigrants and refugees
1-510-465-1984
National Coalition for the Homeless
National network that works attends to the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness
while protecting their civil rights
1-202-737-6444
One Love Foundation
Educate young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships
An all-encompassing (non-legal) term that refers to many different acts including those listed below:
Consent is voluntary, affirmative, and active agreement to a sexual activity. Sexual activity WITHOUT consent is sexual violence. Consent is:
When we encounter threatening situations, our bodies and minds are designed to respond quickly and automatically to survive. Given that we are social beings, this can include complex social situations such as the risk of damaging our relationships through conflict. Some common responses include:
Use active listening skills such as:
It can be difficult to know what to say. Recognize that we may make mistakes and invite others to give us feedback about our interaction.
Validate the Individuals emotions:
Express empathy:
Show support:
Express your belief in their experience:
Address possible self-blame:
Avoid expressing negative judgments:
Check in sometimes:
Being a strong support doesn’t mean you should attempt to manage someone else’s experience of sexual violence on your own. See our list of resources above to get connected to more support.