Sexual Assault Information

If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call 911 or one of these numbers: If you have been sexually assaulted, call (608) 251-RAPE (Rape Crisis Center 24-hour crisis line). If you are experiencing dating or domestic violence, call (608) 251-4445 (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services 24-hour crisis hotline). If you are being stalked, call (608) 264-COPS (UW-Madison campus police) or (608) 266-4275(Madison police).

Sexual assault is any sexual contact made without consent. Consent must be freely given with overt words or actions that clearly communicate an individual's desire to engage in sexual activities. Consent is a clear yes, not the absence of no. Consent cannot legally be given if an individual is under the age of 18, is incapacitated due to alcohol or other drugs, is unconscious or asleep, or has limited mental capacity.

Examples of sexual assault include unwanted touching, kissing, fondling, or penetration of the mouth, vagina, or anus with a finger, penis or object.

While sexual assault can be perpetrated by a stranger, it is more commonly committed by someone the victim knows, such as a friend, boyfriend/girlfriend/partner, or acquaintance.

Alcohol is the most popular "date rape" drug used by perpetrators.

Sexual assault is always the fault of the perpetrator and not the fault of the victim! Whether or not the victim has been drinking is irrelevant. The victim’s previous sexual activities, behaviors, actions, and/or dress is irrelevant. No one deserves to be the victim of sexual assault.

If you have been victimized, you are not alone. There are resources available to help you.

For more information on sexual assault, follow the links below.

What To Do If You've Been Drugged

For Family and Friends of Victims/Survivors

Common Feelings After Being Sexually Assaulted

Recovering from Sexual Assault is a Process

For Male Victims of Sexual Assault

What to Do after a Sexual Assault

Alcohol and Drug-facilitated Sexual Assault

Resources for Victims of Sexual Assault, Dating/Domestic Violence, or Stalking

Student Success Comments & Questions

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After an Assault (Rape Crisis Center)

Rape Crisis Center

Domestic Abuse Intervention Services

UW Police Department

Madison Police Department

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Office of the Dean of Students/Student Advocacy and Judicial Affairs

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)

Student Success Comments & Questions