Sexual Assault

The Towson University Counseling Center is here to assist students who have been victims of sexual violence. We also work hard to educate the university community about sexual violence and violence prevention.

If you have been victimized, you do not have to face the situation alone. Come to us for assistance and support.

If you or someone close to you has been victimized, you are likely to have questions and concerns. See these attachments for information on what to do and what not to do.

resources

Counseling Center

The Towson University Counseling Center can provide you with free and confidential individual or group counseling to help you heal from the assault and also can connect you to other resources in the community. Counseling for sexual assault can help by:

Assisting you in understanding and working through your reactions to the assault.

  • Enhancing your ability to cope with the assault.
  •  Providing support throughout the legal and/or campus judicial decision-making process.
  •  Minimizing the potential long-term effects of sexual assault.

While there is not one particular response to experiencing a sexual assault, there are numerous reactions that are common. The Counseling Center offers a variety of services for students who have experienced a sexual assault, recently or in the past. Services including assessment and referral, individual and group counseling, and workshops. For more information, contact 410-704-2512.

  • Individual Counseling
  • Group Counseling
  • Sexual Assault Support Group: a group that allows survivors of sexual assault to gain support from one another and to learn ways to cope with the aftermath of the assault. For more information call the Counseling Center at 410-704-2512.
  • Assessment and Referral
  • Workshops and Education
Health Center - (410) 704-2466

The Health Center is fully equipped to assess your injuries, test for and treat STDs, and provide emergency contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Services are free. Even if you are unsure whether you want to press charges, the Health Center can provide care and assistance with your decision making.

University Accomodations

Victims may need accommodations from the university. For example, they may request a change of on-campus living, class schedule, or other accommodations related to the assault.
Contact Towson’s Title IX Coordinator, 410-704-0203

University Judicial Process

If the accused is a Towson University student, a victim may initiate judicial action, regardless of whether criminal charges have been filed.

File a report with Towson’s Title IX Coordinator, 410-704-0203
 

Towson University Sexual Assault Policy and Procedures

On-Campus Services

The Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention and Education Committee (SHAPE) meets monthly, or more often in subcommittees. The committee’s primary objective is to develop and implement awareness and prevention programs and trainings for all university students and staff. Programs address a range of topics related to awareness and prevention of sexual violence such as consent, bystander intervention, the relationship between sexual violence and substance abuse, and available campus resources.

Off-Campus Services

Hospitals / Specialty Trained Forensic Nurse Examiners

  • SAFE Exams:

Both GBMC and Mercy hospitals perform sexual assault forensic exams (S.A.F.E.). 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 within 120 hours of the assault.

  • Greater Baltimore Medical Center, 6701 North Charles Street, 443-849-3323
  • Mercy Medical Center, 301 St. Paul Place, 410-332-9499

Medical Care:

You can also seek care at any local hospital even if you think you don’t want to press charges.

Sexual Violence Advocacy and Counseling Services
  • Turnaround: Nonprofit organization helping individuals and families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual abuse through counseling and advocacy programs.

24 Hour-Hotline, 443-279-0379
Towson 410-377-8111
Rosedale 410-391-2396
Baltimore 410-837-7000

Related Resources

Campus Events:

Websites:

Readings:

  • Voices of Courage – edited by Mike Domitrz
  • Shattered -- Debra Puglisi Sharp's
  • Still Loved by the Sun: A Rape Survivor's Journal -- Migael Scherer
  • Victims No Longer -- Mike Lew (a book for male survivors)
  • I Never Called it Rape -- Robin Warsaw
  • Fraternity Gang Rape -- Peggy Reeves Sanday
  • Your Sexual Healing Journey -- Wendy Maltz
  • The Rape Victim – Mary Koss & Mary Harvey
  • The Rape Recovery Handbook – Aphrodite Matsakis