If you are experiencing any kind or degree of sexual violence, know that you are not alone and there are many resources available to you when you are ready to reach out for help. It is important to know it is not your fault.
In the drop-down options beneath this section, you will find information on people at LLCC, within our community and at national organizations who are informed and prepared to help you. If you are not yet ready to speak to someone about what has happened, you will also find information, links and pamphlets below.
In an emergency, always call 911 or your local police department.
LLCC Police Department:
If you are nervous about speaking with law enforcement about what happened, view RAINN's tips on what to expect with the process.
What to do if you've been sexually assaulted
Sexual assault is never your fault. Engaging in sexual activity without consent or by use of physical force, coercion or threat is considered assault. Sexual contact without consent can be prosecuted even if you have had intimate contact with your attacker previously, you know your attacker, you did not fight back, or you were drunk or unconscious.
If you were recently assaulted, please seek medical care. If you would like someone who can advocate for you and answer questions you may have through the process of accessing medical care, PCASA (217-753-8081, available 24/7) can provide a medical advocate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. If possible, it is important that you not shower, change clothes or clean up the scene of the attack.
The following hospitals can treat individuals who have experienced sexual assault:
- Memorial Medical Center - Springfield
- St. John's Hospital - Springfield
- Passavant Hospital - Jacksonville
- Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital - Lincoln
- Pana Community Hospital - Pana
- St. Francis Hospital - Litchfield
- Taylorville Memorial Hospital - Taylorville
- Mason District Hospital - Havana
ICASA: After Sexual Assault (PDF): This booklet provides information on medical and emotional care, and legal procedures involved in reporting the assault. More information and tips on reporting and the criminal justice system is provided through RAINN.
If you are a survivor of an incident of sexual assault in the past, national and local 24-hour hotlines can provide you with important information such as dealing with the emotional trauma, options for reporting and statutes of limitation and personalized referrals.
What to do if you're experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence
Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are dating, living together, share children or are married. Regardless of your situation, it is not your fault.
Domestic violence can look different from abuser to abuser. It's not always easy to recognize that what you're experiencing is domestic violence. Read more about the signs of intimate partner abuse.
If you are being abused, it's important to do what you feel keeps you safe. In the "Resources" section below, you will find information for multiple agencies that can help you. Locally, Sojourn Shelter & Services can provide assistance and tips on how to make "safety plans" for a wide range of situations (during an explosive event, when planning to leave, etc.). Experts also highly recommend using an incident log to keep track of dates and times, witnesses and details on any police contact during individual situations.
Call national or local domestic violence hotlines for help with an incident log, safety plan or for more resources, assistance and personalized support.
What to do if you're being stalked
Stalking is frequently misunderstood but can be described in general terms as a series of actions that make you feel afraid or in danger. This includes both physical actions and those executed online. Stalking is unpredictable. It can slowly escalate, or it can suddenly become extremely dangerous. As a victim of stalking, you may feel afraid, overwhelmed, anxious and like you can't trust anyone. It's important you know it is not your fault.
Experts can help you understand the legal system in connection to stalking, find ways to help you feel safe again and provide assistance with creating an incident log. If you fear you're being stalked, contact law enforcement immediately. Because no two incidents of stalking are identical, you can't predict what a stalker will do. However, there are a few things you can do to help keep you safe. Explore these resources for more information:
What to do if you think you've been drugged
If you believe your drink has been spiked or someone has given you drugs without your consent, get medical care right away. Being drugged can be both physically and emotionally traumatic, whether you believe you've been assaulted while under the influence of the drugs or not.
The drugs on their own can be extremely harmful, and associated risks become more dangerous when mixed with alcohol. Many "rape drugs" metabolize very quickly; the quicker you seek medical care, the more likely it is that medical professionals can identify which drug was used on you. Accurate identification of the type of drug you ingested will be important in order to treat you correctly and will be a vital piece of evidence if you decide to file a report and press charges. Call 911 or have a trusted friend take you to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Symptoms of being drugged and the length of time you experience them vary by the type of drug used and the amount ingested, but typical symptoms of the most commonly used date rape drugs include:
- Feeling significantly more intoxicated than your usual response to the amount of alcohol you have consumed
- Feeling extremely hungover, especially if it is disproportionate to the amount of alcohol you consumed
- Feeling extremely foggy, physically weak/exhausted, and/or unable to speak without slurring your words
- Remembering taking a drink but not being able to remember what happened for a period of time after you consumed the drink
- Feeling like someone had sex with you but being unable to remember any or all of the incident
- Experiencing other symptoms outlined in the following resource: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health
Ask the hospital to take a urine (pee) sample that can be used to test for drugs you didn't purposely ingest. Some drugs leave your system quickly. Rohypnol stays in the body for several hours and can be detected in urine up to 72 hours after ingestion. GHB leaves the body in 12 hours. Don't urinate before going to the hospital. If you must urinate, do so in a cup or bottle — this can still be tested, but it cannot be used as evidence. It is best to call the police from the hospital. Tell the police exactly what you remember. Be honest about all your activities. Remember, nothing you did — including drinking alcohol or doing drugs — can justify rape.