The staff of the Counseling Center understands students' current awareness and sensitivity of the crime of sexual assault. We would like to remind you that most sexual assaults (Criminal Sexual Conduct) are acquaintance-related, although stranger assaults obviously can and do happen.
The Counseling Center staff can and does see students for counseling and advocacy who have been sexually assaulted. The Counseling Center is not required by the Federal Cleary Act to report sexual assault to the authorities but stands ready to refer to additional resources including law enforcement if the student victim chooses to report.
If you are a Ferris male or female student and wish to see a counselor about a related issue or problem that is of stress to you, please contact the Counseling Center on the second floor of the Birkam Health Center (591-5968, Monday-Friday, 8-12 pm & 1-5 pm).
It is helpful to receive counseling and treatment after experiencing a sexual assault to start the healing process and avoid dealing with the trauma in unhealthy ways. According to The World Report on Violence and Health (WHO, 2002), in the absence of trauma counseling, negative psychological effects have been known to persist for at least a year following a rape.