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Confidential Resources

Sharing information/seeking resources from the following will not generally be reported to the University for investigation:

Counseling Resources

Students may receive specialized support from the UCC, which is staffed by trained professionals and counselors. Current students may seek counseling at any time, even years after the incident. The confidential services of the UCC are available to any student who may need support or assistance. The UCC can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, a Walk-In Crisis Service is available in Saint Liam Hall, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

The Family Justice Center is a collaboration of civil, legal, medical, and social services which supports individuals affected by relationship violence and sexual assault. The Family Justice Center is located at 533 North Niles Avenue in South Bend. 

One service of the Family Justice Center is S-O-S, the rape-crisis center for St. Joseph County. S-O-S is staffed by trained professionals and volunteer advocates who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The staff can provide confidential counseling and recovery services, as well as support and information about communication with the police, family, and friends. S-O-S Volunteer Advocates provide emotional support and information on the phone and in person at area hospital Emergency Departments around the clock. Specially trained professionals offer confidential counseling, group therapy, information, and referrals. The S-O-S Advocate acts as a liaison between the student and the legal process, and can accompany them to court, if desired. The 24-hour telephone number for the Rape Crisis Center is 574-289-4357.

  • RAINN (off-campus): 800-656-4673 

The Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) is an anti-sexual violence organization that partners with more than 1,100 local rape crisis centers across the country. Among its programs, RAINN has two resources available globally: (1) the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline, a secure Web-based hotline that provides live and confidential help through an interface similar to instant messaging; and (2) the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE), which provides free, confidential services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.    

Medical Resources

Students who have been injured should seek immediate and appropriate medical treatment for their injuries. Such treatment is also important to preserve evidence that may assist in the proof of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and/or conduct that creates a hostile environment in the event that the student later files criminal charges, or seeks to obtain an order of protection. 

Students may visit UHS for confidential and professional medical care. University Health Services is located in Saint Liam Hall and can be reached at 574-631-7497. While the UHS staff are unable to perform procedures related to the collection of evidence for the purposes of pursuing criminal prosecution, they can provide medical care including wound care, testing, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and referral and transportation to a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.

Nearby St. Joseph Regional Medical Center employs Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) who can provide both medical care and preserve evidence of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and/or conduct that creates a hostile environment in the event that the individual later files criminal charges or seeks to obtain an order of protection. The two hospitals in the South Bend area are St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and Memorial Hospital of South Bend. The SANE program of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center offers emergency care and evidence collection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Memorial Hospital also provides these services but does not have a 24/7 program, so the availability of a SANE nurse may be limited. Under Indiana law, the tests and procedures at the hospitals are free of charge if treatment is sought within 120 hours of the assault. Evidence gathered in this examination is maintained by the hospital and is not provided to the police unless the individual reports the assault to the police. Any decision about whether or not to talk to the police is up to the individual.

Pastoral Resources

Vowed religious (priests, deacons, and religious sisters and brothers) working within Campus Ministry and who are operating in that role are confidential resources.

These individuals will honor confidentiality unless there is an imminent danger to the student or to others. In addition, a student’s disclosure during the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) will not be revealed by the priest for any reason, which is a sacred obligation protected by law. Campus Ministry can be reached at 574-631-7800.