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Resource Guide

Miami University provides a number of resources and supportive measures for students. Students are encouraged to seek support and obtain appropriate medical attention. Some of these resources are designated as confidential. Other resources provide support but may need to involve MUPD or local law enforcement.

Medical Treatment

A person who has experienced sexual assault, dating violence, or domestic violence is urged to seek appropriate medical evaluation immediately, ideally within 96 hours (4 full days) of the incident. For life-threatening conditions, call 911 (9-911 from a campus phone) or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. In Oxford, McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital has a trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) who can help. Most area hospitals have a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) that will respond.

Preserving Evidence

Any student who has experienced a sexual assault, dating violence, or domestic violence is encouraged to request collection of medical/legal evidence. It is important to preserve physical evidence even if you do not yet know whether you want to report the incident or pursue filing a complaint. This will ensure that evidence is available if you later decide to proceed with a criminal or university investigation. Collection of evidence may involve interaction with police and a police report, but the decision to speak with the police about the alleged violation is the student's.

Questions about evidence collection can be directed to Women Helping Women at 513-381-5610 or the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE).

Tri-Health CARES program provides medical examination and treatment of reported sexual assault cases. Tri-Health CARES responds to area hospital, including:

  • McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital, 110 N. Poplar St., Oxford, OH 45056, 513-523-2111
  • TriHealth Bethesda Butler Hospital, 3125 Hamilton Mason Rd, Hamilton, OH 45011, 513-894-8888

SANE of Butler County provides medical examination and treatment of reported sexual assault cases. SANE of Butler County responds to area hospitals, including:

  • Fort Hamilton Hospital, 630 Eaton Ave., Hamilton, OH 45013, 513-867-2000
  • Mercy Health– Fairfield Hospital, 3000 Mack Rd., Fairfield OH 45014
  • West Chester Hospital, 7700 University Dr., West Chester Township, OH 45069, 513-298-3000
  • Atrium Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Dr., Middletown, OH 45005, 513-424-2111

Below are suggestions for preserving evidence related to an incident of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, or stalking. It is important to keep in mind that each suggestion may not apply in every incident.

Sexual Assault

Evidence of a sexual assault is best collected as soon as possible or at least within 96 hours of the incident. If the sexual assault occurred within 96 hours (4 full days), a free and confidential exam can be administered at most local hospitals. You will not be billed for a sexual assault forensic exam. Sexual assaults, for which individuals seek medical treatment, must be reported to the appropriate police unit by health care officials. However, you are not required to criminally prosecute the case or file a police report, unless the sexual assault survivor is a minor. You can decide whether or not to speak with the police at that time to officially report what has happened. A support specialist from Women Helping Women will be available at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital to provide information and support for Miami University students, staff, or faculty. It is your choice to speak with an advocate.

It is important to immediately notify medical staff if you believe drugs or alcohol were involved. Medical staff are specially trained to collect evidence and perform tests, including tests that can provide important evidence if drugs or alcohol were involved.

To help preserve evidence that may assist in proving the alleged violation/offense or in obtaining a protection order, place any clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault in a paper bag (not plastic). If you’re able, you should also avoid the following:

  • Bathing or douching
  • Washing hands or face
  • Urinating
  • Drinking any liquids
  • Smoking, eating or brushing teeth (including mouthwash and flossing)

It’s important to know that you can still decide to have a forensic exam even if you have done any or all of these things. You can also preserve evidence by saving text messages, social media messages or posts, and other communications that may be useful to investigators.

Dating/Domestic Violence

Not all experiences of dating/domestic violence cause visible injuries. If visible injuries are present, it can be helpful to document them with photographs, if it is safe to do so. It is also important to seek medical attention if possible and safe to do so.

Unlike the forensic exam for a sexual assault, if you seek medical treatment for dating/domestic violence there is a cost. Thanks to generous support from donors, Miami may be able to offer financial assistance to cover some or all the expenses associated with the visit. You can learn more by contacting the Title IX Coordinator and/or one of the Deputy Title IX Coordinators.

Stalking

If you have experienced stalking, it can be helpful to an investigation to retain any evidence of that behavior, including documentation of any unwanted communication (whether written, oral, electronic), postings (such as on social media), gifts, etc.