Advocating for Sexual Assault Prevention

The Advocating for Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP) team at Governors State University (GSU) is committed to creating a campus culture that promotes sexual and relationship health through education and training on the prevention of sexual violence.

If you have been sexually assaulted or the victim of dating violence or stalking

  • Know that the assault is not your fault and you are not alone.
  • Seek medical attention. Not all injuries are visible following an assault. 
  • Preserve any physical evidence of the assault in a paper bag. More information on preserving physical evidence is available through the RAINN website
  • Report the incident to the Department of Public Safety or the police.  A counselor or YWCA advocate can help you do this.
  • Find a safe place to stay away from your attacker.

How to help someone else

  • Believe what has happened.
  • Offer safety and support.
  • Listen, but do not press for details or judge.
  • Offer information and choices and encourage them to seek help.
  • Be patient.  Recovery takes time.
  • Take care of yourself.  Seek out the support of others in dealing with your own feelings about your friend’s experience.

Confidential Resources

Confidential resources will not disclose information about incidents of sexual misconduct to anyone, including law enforcement or the University, except in very limited situations, such as when failure to disclose the information would result in imminent danger to the individual or to others.

Counseling & Wellness Center

Campus Location: A1120
Phone: 708.235.7334
www.govst.edu/wellness

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago South Suburban Center

Crisis Hotline: 708.748.5672  (available 24/7)
Location: 320 West 202nd Street  Chicago Heights, IL 60411

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago South Suburban Center QR Code

Guardian Angel Community Services - Sexual Assault Service Center (SASC)

The Sexual Assault Service Center is available to help survivors of sexual violence and their significant others.  SASC offers a 24 hour hotline, individual and group counseling (adults & children), legal and medical advocacy, prevention education, and community presentations.

24/7 Hotline: (815)730-8984
Spanish Speaking Hotline: (815)263-0521 - operates Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Note: Know that most university staff and faculty must report incidents of relationship violence and sexual assault to the Title IX Coordinator. GSU mental health counselors and YWCA staff are not required to report. The university is required to follow up on all incidents of relationship violence and sexual assault and may investigate to support its’ efforts to provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment for all students. The survivor determines their level of participation in this process.

GSU and the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago/South Suburban Center entered into a formal agreement in March, 2015 that solidified the commitment of the YWCA and GSU to work together to provide trauma-informed services to GSU student and employee survivors of sexual assault, to improve the overall response to sexual assault, and to coordinate sexual violence prevention and educational programming at GSU.