Get Help
The University of Houston is dedicated to providing all students, faculty, and staff with a variety of options for getting help. Our resources are focused on being culturally sensitive, diverse, inclusive, trauma-informed, and based on an ethic of care and compassion. We have a list of confidential and non-confidential resources to assist individuals seeking assistance.
Get Help
UH encourages individuals to seek assistance for incidents involving sexual misconduct. UH provides a variety of options available to an individual, so that each person may choose a path for response best suited to his or her particular situation.
Help Someone
At the University of Houston, ours is a community that cares. If you see someone in need, you should help them. With that said, because you are a member of this community, you may find yourself in the position of responding to direct disclosure of sexual misconduct from another member. And if that happens, here is how you can help them.
Helping someone after sexual trauma
Things happen no matter what we do or don’t do, it is never their fault. If you or someone you know is assaulted:
- Do not blame yourself/your friend
- Call 911, the campus police, the local rape crisis hotline, or report on mysafecampus.com
- Ask for a victim advocate from a local crisis center
- Get medical attention immediately
- Do NOT change clothes, use the bathroom, or wash yourself/victim
- Consider reporting to the police
- Consider reporting to the Title IX coordinator
- Gather any texts or conversations that may help show your perspective. DO NOT delete anything.
- Get counseling services and support through CAPS
Sexual Misconduct Support Services
UH now offers a campus-based resource to assist any student, faculty, or staff member who has been impacted by sexual violence (sexual misconduct). This is a confidential resource. The Sexual Misconduct Support Services Program Manager can help with:
- Emotional Support
- Understanding Rights & Responsibilities
- Understanding the Conduct Process
- Reporting Options (Police Department and Equal Opportunity Services/Title IX Coordinator)
- Referrals to campus and community-based resources
- Creating a Safety Plan
- Interim accommodations (ex. On-campus housing, academic)
For more information or for assistance contact the SMSS Program Manager:
Program Manager, Sexual Misconduct Support Services
713-743-2236
smss@uh.edu
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a law that protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance.
The Title IX Coordinator oversees the University's response to reports and complaints that involve possible sex discrimination to monitor outcomes, identify and address any patterns, and assess effects on the campus climate, so the University can address issues that affect the wider school community.
At the University of Houston, the Title IX Coordinator is:
Rebecca Lake
Assistant Vice-Chancellor and Vice President
P: 713.743.8835; F: 713.743.0959
eos@uh.edu
Police Report
If you want to make a police report, contact the police as soon as possible. Call 911. The sooner you make a report, the more likely it is that the police will be able to collect important evidence and apprehend the assailant. A prompt report can also strengthen a case for the prosecution. However, even if some time has passed since you were sexually assaulted, it is never too late to make a police report or to seek help from other victim assistance agencies.
Medical Care
If you think you may have been sexually assaulted you can seek confidential medical help at any point. Even if it happened a while ago, even if you aren’t sure what happened, and even if you don’t want to press charges you can still get medical support. If a rape kit examination is performed the evidence can be stored so you can press charges at a later time when you feel ready. Remember you have full control over what medical services you want and which you aren’t comfortable with and you can change your mind at any time.