Will my name, story, and information remain completely confidential?
- Everything you tell the RASAN member you’re in contact with will remain confidential. The exception is if you indicate that you’re currently at risk of harming yourself or someone around you. If that’s the case, the RASAN member you’re speaking to is required to call Campus Safety and Security to check on you.
What happens if I mention self-harm or suicidal thoughts with a RASAN member?
- If you indicate that you’re currently at risk of harming yourself or someone around you, the RASAN member you’re speaking to is required to call Campus Safety and Security to check on you.
What if I want to talk to someone face-to-face?
- RASAN members are happy to meet face-to-face. In fact, that is the most common form of contact. Whether you call the hotline and set up a time and place to meet or reach out via email to someone you know is on RASAN, meeting face-to-face is definitely an option if that is what you are looking for.
What if I don’t want to talk to someone face-to-face or over the phone?
- There is absolutely no need to meet or talk if that isn’t what you want. We are here to support you in whatever way works best for you. If talking face-to-face or over the phone isn’t what you’re looking for, email can be a great way to go. Another option is putting a letter in your chosen RASAN member’s mailbox and explaining that you want to start a written correspondence — this is a great way to get anonymous written support. Since there’s no actual mailing involved, this method can be used daily, but responses may obviously not be immediate.
What happens if I know the RASAN member who calls me back?
- If a RASAN member recognizes the name or voice on the voicemail, they will often call in their back-up, simply to maintain a more removed connection in case that is what the caller was looking for. But if by some chance the person who calls you back is someone you don’t want to talk to, feel free to request another RASAN member. Or if you don’t want to communicate that at that moment, simply hang up and check out our website for the faces and names of our current members. You can reach out to any of us at any time.
Will the RASAN member I contact say hi to me and give me away in public?
- If you don’t want the RASAN member you contact to acknowledge that they know you in public, just let them know. RASAN members will take their cues from you — if you greet them, they’ll say hi back, but if you just walk past, they’ll understand that you don’t want to talk in public.
When is the best time to call the hotline?
- The best time to call is when you need to. The hotline is staffed 24/7, which means there’s not only a RASAN member on call but also someone else as backup. RASAN members volunteer to go on call and the priority is helping people who use the hotline, so don’t worry about calling at an inconvenient time. During the academic year, you can call at any time and have your call returned within 15 minutes.
If my partner, parent, or anyone else calls to ask if I used your services, what do you tell them?
- We will not tell others whether you have called the RASAN hotline. The RASAN system allows you to stay anonymous, and contacts are confidential, meaning that (with the exceptions described above) we will not give others any identifying information about you.
What if I’m not sure I was assaulted?
- Anyone can call RASAN for any reason. Regardless of what happened to you, if it’s upsetting you, it’s worth talking about. The emphasis is not on definitions as much as on looking at your specific situation and helping you get the support you need.
Can I call the hotline to receive support because I have a friend or loved one who is in need, even if I have not been involved myself?
- Yes, you’re absolutely welcome to call. Supporting someone you care about who has been through sexual assault can be emotionally and physically draining, and it’s important to take care of yourself throughout the process. The RASAN hotline is available to you for support and advice on how to help your friend or loved one. (See Supporting a Friend.)
Can I call RASAN if I am worried I have assaulted someone?
- The RASAN hotline and organization is not available to perpetrators of sexual assault. If you think you may have assaulted another individual, a good place to begin is Psych Services at the Health Center or the Dean’s Office.