Support Resources

 What to do if you experience sexual violence

  • Get to a safe place.
  • Call 911 if in immediate danger, if you are injured, or if the community is in possible danger.
  • Consider securing immediate professional support on or off-campus to assist you in the crisis.
  • Seek medical attention, regardless of whether you choose to report or not.
  • Take steps to preserve evidence, which may be necessary to the proof of criminal sexual violence or in obtaining a protective order. It is very important to preserve evidence. You may not know right now whether you will contact the police.  But in case you later decide to, the evidence available immediately after the assault is crucial. To preserve evidence follow these recommendations: Prior to seeking medical attention, do not shower, bathe, wash your hands, brush your teeth, use the toilet or clean up in any way. Bring another set of clothes to the hospital since clothes will be collected as part of the evidence. If you have changed clothes, bring your soiled clothing with you for evidence collection.  Physical evidence can be collected up to 120 hours after an assault.
  • Report to the police, if you so choose.
  • Talk to a counselor. Even after the immediate crisis has passed, contact confidential on-campus and/or off-campus resources—for emotional support, information, and/or advocacy.
  • Report the conduct to the Title IX Coordinator by email at titleix@bvu.edu or by phone at 712.749.2061, if you choose to do so, so that the University may take appropriate action. The Title IX Coordinator can arrange for interim actions and accommodations, including no-contact directives. The University will also assist in any needed advocacy for community members who wish to obtain a protective order from local authorities.  Alternatively, you can contact the Court Clerk located at the Buena Vista County Courthouse to obtain a civil protective order.

Confidential Support and Counseling

Individuals may contact on-campus and off-campus counselors, or members of the clergy and chaplains for confidential counseling regarding any sexual misconduct matter.  Employees are encouraged to contact Buena Vista University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), (800) 828-6025, to access off-campus counseling resources. Seeking counseling is not meant to take the place of instituting the informal or formal resolution process.

Additional resources

Emergency Contacts

  • 24-Hour Emergency – Local law enforcement: 911
  • 24-Hour Emergency – Campus Security: 712.749.2500

On-Campus Places to Report Sexual Misconduct

  • Title IX Coordinator: Casey James-Negrete, 712.749.2061, titleix@bvu.edu, Human Resources Office; Dixon Eilers 102
  • Campus Security: 712.749.2500; security@bvu.edu, Student Success Office – Siebens Forum;
  • Human Resources Director, 712.749.2049, humanresources@bvu.edu, Dixon-Eilers 102; or
  • Vice President for Student Success 712.749.2656, blackh@bvu.edu, Student Success Office – Siebens Forum

On-Campus Confidential Resources and Support

  • Counseling Services, 712.749.2123, Dixon Eilers 208
  • Health Services, 712.749.1238, Dixon Eilers 207
  • Chaplain, 712.749.2111, Center for Diversity & Inclusion - Siebens Forum

Off-Campus Places to Report Sexual Misconduct

Off-Campus Confidential Resources and Support

  • CAASA (Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault) caasaonline.org Storm Lake: 712.732.8120, 24- hour crisis line: 877.362.4612
  • Family Crisis Centers, Sioux County Office: 712.722.4404, 24-hour crisis line: 800.382.5603, familycrisiscenters.org
  • Iowa Victim Service Call Center: text 'IOWAHELP' to 20121, 24-hour crisis line: 800.770.1650

Health Care Options

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) available at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, 1525 W 5th Street, Storm Lake, IA 50588, 712.732.4030

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center provides sexual assault care services and assistance to victims of rape and sexual assault 24 hours per day.  Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) perform a special exam and collect evidence in a “rape kit.”  There is no charge for the SANE exam.

You can have a SANE exam within 120 hours after the rape or sexual assault.  The purpose of the SANE exam is to collect forensic evidence, receive preventative health care, and see if you have any physical injuries that need tending.  The exam will take place at the sexual assault exam site, in a confidential room with trained staff and volunteers.  During the exam, the SANE will collect evidence such as your clothing, DNA swabs, etc.  Prior to the exam, preserve all evidence and do not shower, bathe, change clothes, douche, brush teeth, drink or eat, or throw away any clothing until police or medical personnel say it is okay.  If you have done any of the above, it is still possible to do an exam, but it is not as effective.  So if possible, please try to avoid any of these actions.

Online & Graduate Students

In addition to the information above, if you are an Online or Graduate student and need assistance, please call 911 for emergencies. You can also:

  • Call your local police department.
  • For a confidential resource, you can contact the University Counselor at 712.749.2123.
  • If you want to report sexual misconduct, you can contact the Title IX Coordinator at 712.749.2061 or titleix@bvu.edu.
    • The University Counselor and Title IX Coordinator can direct you to local support resources in your area.
  • Site locations have resource packets available listing additional resources.

Victim Services and Legal Information and Assistance

Visa and Immigration Assistance

  • Iowa Justice For Our Neighbors, 515.255.9809, iowajfon.org
  • CAASA (Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault) caasaonline.org Storm Lake 712.732.8120

Student Financial Aid

  • Financial Aid Office: 800.383.2821

Other resources

Other resources available to persons who report being the victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, include: