Vigo County SART Team Can Help

Where to Get Help

 A Sexual Assault Response Team consists of :

• a forensic nurse examiner specialized in sexual assault evidentiary examinations and medical treatment. This nurse examiner is sometimes referred to as a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner). 
  
• a law enforcement officer conducts an investigation and provides emergency assistance.
• a coda advocate is there to provide emotional support, referrals and information to the victim. 
• In Indiana the protocols for SARTs are established through the Prosecutor’s Offices in each county per statute.

What are my options?

If you want to take legal action:

• An advocate can help you through this process.
• To preserve forensic evidence, ask the hospital to conduct a rape kit exam. This must be done within 72 hours of the occurrence of the assault.
• If you suspect that you may have been drugged, tell your nurse, and a urine sample can be collected.  The sample will be analyzed by a forensic lab.
• Keep a journal of what you remember. Releasing emotions can help with your own healing process, and documented details are helpful for any legal action you might decide to take.
  

If you are undecided, or don't want to press charges:
You have several options regarding legal action. The options to not report, to report with no intention of prosecuting, or to report with the intention of prosecuting are all available. Regardless of reporting, you may not be aware of certain injuries. Please consider seeking medical attention. 

• You can still have a rape kit done, in case you change your mind later about taking legal action. 
  
• Has it been more than 72 hours? You can schedule a medical examination to determine risks of STD's or pregnancy.

Safety:
Law Enforcement
Emergency: 911

Terre Haute City Police:
812-232-3801

West Terre Haute Police:
812-533-2113

Vigo County Sheriff:
812-232-3801

Indiana State Police:
812-299-1151

​Support

Council On Domestic Abuse
https://codawabashvalley.org/
1-800-566-CODA (2632)
Rape Crisis Center is located at 26 S 17th St, Terre Haute, IN 47807

RAINN National Crisis Line:
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
https://rainn.org/

Care
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner​
Terre Haute Regional Hospital: 
812-237-1621

Union Hospital: 
812-238-7523

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It’s okay to be uncertain about reporting the crime, right now, having the evidential exam will keep options available for prosecution. As hard as it may feel not to clean up, doing so may destroy important evidence. Please do not shower, bathe, douche, wash hands, brush teeth, comb hair or use the toilet before going to an emergency room. Please do not change or destroy clothing, or straighten up your appearance. If you are at home, arrange to take a change of clothing along to the hospital because the clothing you wore during the assault may be needed as evidence.

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What if there is an arrest?

A Vigo County Crime Victim Assistance advocate can assist you through the criminal justice system.

~ Provide crisis counseling, emotional support and guidance

~ Refer you to community services 

~ Explain to you how the court system works

~ Give you specific information about your case including dates and times of hearings

~ Assist you in filing for Violent Crime Compensation to cover medical cost on additional injures, counseling, or loss of wages.

~ Attend court proceedings with/for you

~ Provide you with a secure waiting area if you need to testify

~ Assist you with victim impact statements at sentencing hearings

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Read about the Indiana Criminal Codes

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College Community

You have the additional option of initially contacting the Dean of Students, who can discuss your options about taking action through the university rather than the legal system.

Security
Indiana State University 
Police: 812-237-5555
Dean's Office: 812-237-8111

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Public Safety: 812-877-8590

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Campus Security: 812-535-5253

ISU Sexual Violence Prevention 

Counseling Centers:
ISU 
Rose-Hulman  
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College 

Local Services

Counseling Centers
Hamilton Center, Inc.
812-231-8323

Crisis Line

1-800-566-CODA (2632)