Victim Resources
If you or a friend have been the victim of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, USC Upstate is here to support you.
We are committed to providing an environment for working, learning and living that is free of all forms of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, stalking), and related retaliation.
Policies and Laws
USC Upstate Policy prohibits sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. You can find links to our policy and South Carolina laws regarding these crimes below.
- Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment & Sexual Misconduct: CR 1.00 Discrimination Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
- Prohibited Consensual Relationships: univ210.pdf
South Carolina Law:
- Sexual Assault – Code of Laws – Title 16 – Chapter 3 – Offenses Against The Person (see Article 7) or The Laws In Your State: South Carolina | RAINN
- Domestic Violence – Code of Laws – Title 16 – Chapter 25 – Domestic Violence
- Stalking – Code of Laws – Title 16 – Chapter 3 – Offenses Against The Person (See Article 17) or SC Stalking Laws Statutes
USC Upstate has set procedures for investigating reports and hearing cases of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. It is sometimes referred to as the Title IX Process. See procedures below:
Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct Resolution Procedures (PDF)
Reporting Options
The Title IX process and Criminal Justice process are different. This flow chart can help you get an idea of how both work, and what options are best for you.
You can report the incident to the Office of Title IX, University Police, neither, or both. When making your decision who to report to, remember:
- Student can receive academic assistance, housing relocation assistance, and mutual no-contact directives through Title IX with or without participating in a Title IX investigation.
- Student can participate in the Title IX process without reporting to Law Enforcement.
- There is no time limit for making a report to Title IX.
To make a Title IX Report: Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Incident Report Form or call 864-503-7193 or email titleix@uscupstate.edu.
Report a Crime to University Police (anonymous reporting option available): Crime Report Form or call 864-503-7777 (UPD) and request to speak with a victim advocate to make a report.
If you would prefer Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office to investigate your case, or if the incident occurred off campus, you can report an incident in person at the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office at 8045 Howard St., Spartanburg, SC 29303, M-F between 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Or you can call 9-1-1 to report the incident or get assistance 24/7.
University Police Victim Advocates
If you need immediate assistance, non-confidential UPD victim advocates can assist with making a report, excused absences related to the incident and filing for Victims Compensation funds through the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.
Confidential Resources
There are resources on and off campus that are confidential, meaning they will not report anything you share with them to law enforcement or the Title IX Office, unless you are under 18 y/o. Victim advocates, available through Project R.E.S.T., are confidential, free, and a great first call. They can support you through the rest of the process and provide extra information on all your options.
List of Available Resources
Project R.E.S.T.
(864) 583-9803 (available 24/7)
Project R.E.S.T. | Spartanburg, Cherokee, Union County SC (projectrest.org)
Project R.E.S.T. who will provide free and confidential emergency housing, legal assistance, help requesting restraining orders and orders of protection, therapy, and victim advocacy to all students and employees who experience dating/domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Counseling Services
Counseling Services – USC Upstate
Health Services
Health Services – USC Upstate
For Greenville Residents:
Safe Harbor
1-800-291-2139 (available 24/7)
Safe Harbor | Greenville, SC
Serves domestic and dating violence victims in Greenville, Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee Counties.
Julie Valentine – for Greenville residents
864-467-3633 (available 24/7)
Online chat: Hotline Chat – The Julie Valentine Center
Free, confidential victim advocacy, therapy, and support groups for survivors of sexual assault and child sexual abuse.
(Support for LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual and relationship violence)
1-800-832-1901 (24/7)
RAINN National Sexual Violence Chat Line
Available 24/7.
*Except for Health Services and Counseling Services, all other employees of USC Upstate are required to report any incidents of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking that occur on campus or involve USC Upstate students and/or employees.
What to do …
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If you are in immediate danger or are injured, call 9-1-1.
If you are feeling unsafe on campus, you can speak to the Title IX Coordinator about no-contact directives (an on-campus restraining order) and safety plan.
If you are worried about your safety off campus, or if the perpetrator is not an Upstate student, contact Project R.E.S.T. Their staff attorney can assist you with seeking an Order of Protection or Restraining Order. Their advocates can assist with safety planning. Project R.E.S.T.’s emergency shelter is also available for dating/domestic violence victims.
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- Please seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Get to a safe place and call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room and request to see a Forensic Nurse. At any Spartanburg Regional emergency department, Forensic Nurses are available 24/7.
- Forensic nurses are specially trained to collect evidence of sexual assault.
- They provide support; forensic evidence collection; medical care; STI, HIV, and pregnancy prevention.
- *If you need transportation to the hospital, contact 9-1-1
- DO NOT shower, bathe or change your clothing.
- DO NOT eat, drink, smoke, brush your teeth or use the bathroom, if possible.
- DO NOT clean your home or the area where the assault occurred.
- DO NOT avoid seeking medical care because of cost. All patients are seen regardless of their ability to pay. Sexual assault examinations are paid for by the Department of Crime Victim Compensation, and no insurance claims will be filed for services directly related to the sexual assault exam
- Talk to someone. Project R.E.S.T. Advocates are available 24/7 for Upstate students who experience dating/domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
- Their services are free and confidential.
- They can explain all your options, help you define what happened to you, develop a safety plan, and offer services and support.
- Consider reporting what happened to the University Title IX Office or Law Enforcement.
- Consider seeking a no-contact or protective order. The Title IX Office can assist with on-campus no-contact orders. Project R.E.S.T. can assist with Restraining Orders and Orders of Protection.
Even if several days have passed since you were assaulted, it is still important to get evaluated. Evidence can be collected for up to 96 hours (four days) after the assault, even if you have bathed.
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- Get to a safe place
- Call 9-1-1 if you are in immediate danger
- Check and make sure your partner does not have access to your location (check SnapChat, Google Apps, phone location sharing, etc.).
- Seek medical attention, especially if you have received a blow to the head or been choked.
- Document any evidence of the abusive behavior (pictures of injuries or damaged property, screenshots of texts, voice messages). Save them in at least two separate places (i.e. in your camera roll and email them to yourself).
- Talk to someone. Project R.E.S.T. Advocates are available 24/7 for Upstate students who experience dating/domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
- Their services are free and confidential, and they have an emergency shelter for all victims of dating/domestic violence.
- They can explain all your options, help you define what happened to you, develop a safety plan, and offer services and support.
- Consider reporting what happened to the University Title IX Office or Law Enforcement.
- Consider seeking a no-contect or protective order. The Title IX Office can assist with on-campus no-contact orders. Project R.E.S.T. can assist with Restraining Orders and Orders of Protection.
Even if several days have passed since you were assaulted, it is still important to get evaluated. Evidence can be collected for up to 96 hours (four days) after the assault, even if you have bathed.
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- Get to a safe place
- Call 9-1-1 if you are in immediate danger.
- Check and make sure the person stalking you does not have access to your location (check SnapChat, Google Apps, phone location sharing, etc.).
- Document any evidence of the stalking behavior (pictures of gifts or notes, screenshots of texts, voice messages). Save them in at least two separate places (i.e. in your camera roll and email them to a friend). Check out the SPARC Stalking Log for more help: Documentation Logs & Victim Handbooks | SPARC
- Talk to someone. Project R.E.S.T. Advocates are available 24/7 for Upstate students who experience dating/domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
- Their services are free and confidential.
- They can explain all your options, help you define what happened to you, develop a safety plan, and offer services and support.
- They have emergency shelter available if you are not safe in your home.
- Consider reporting what happened to the University Title IX Office or Law Enforcement. The Title IX Office can assist with on-campus no-contact orders. Project R.E.S.T. can assist with Restraining Orders and Orders of Protection.