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Emergency Information

Crime Tips

Risk Reduction Strategies

Risk reduction strategies are used to decrease crime, while promoting safety through education and awareness of conditions that facilitate violence. Although the only person responsible for a crime is the offender, the campus community is encouraged to take the following safety steps to help keep themselves safe:

  • Pay full attention to your surroundings when you are in public. Avoid using noise-canceling headphones and phone use in general, especially when walking outdoors
  • Avoid walking or parking in shadowed areas. Have your keys in your hand as you approach your door, and remember to be alert to what and who is around you. Glance under your car, around it and in the back seat as you get in.
  • There is safety in numbers. If you go out at night, arrange to go with a companion or two.
  • Consider utilizing the NC State Walking Safety Escort Services by calling NC State University Police at 919-515-3000 or take the Wolfline bus
  • Know the locations of and how to use the emergency phones throughout campus
  • If you are confronted, cooperate! Don’t make sudden moves or try to apprehend the criminal yourself. Concentrate on remembering a description and call the police department immediately. If they make a demand for some material item – wallet, keys, jewelry, credit cards or electronics – give it to them, and remember your life is more valuable than these replaceable items.
  • Ensure that outside lights are illuminated at night. If you see any lights out on campus, contact the NC State University Police Department, 24 hours a day, and they will contact the proper department.
  • Report any suspicious activity to the police.

Crimes of sexual assault

NC State University seeks to provide a safe and welcoming environment for its employees, students, and visitors. Creating such an environment is the responsibility of every member of the campus community.

The most common type of sexual assault is not committed by a stranger, but by someone known to the victim. Sexual activity of any kind requires consent, each and every time, for each and every type of sexual act. Consent requires an affirmative decision to engage in an activity given by clear actions or words. It is an informed decision made freely, willingly, and actively by all parties. Consent cannot be procured by physical force, compelling threats, or intimidating behavior. A person cannot give consent if they are incapacitated as a result of alcohol or drug consumption (voluntary or otherwise), unconscious, unaware or asleep during the act, under the legal age to provide consent, or otherwise lack the capacity to consent. A lack of protest or resistance is not a valid form of consent. Silence is not a valid form of consent. A prior relationship or prior sexual activity is not sufficient to demonstrate consent. Consent can be revoked or withdrawn at any time, even during a sexual act. If consent is withdrawn, the act is no longer consensual.

Although sexual assault is always the full responsibility of the perpetrator, all members of our community are encouraged to take precautions to enhance their safety. We all have a collective responsibility to ensure our campus community is safe and that all individuals who experience sexual assault are believed and supported.

NC State encourages the campus community to report any sexual misconduct and reminds members of the Wolfpack that:

  • No one deserves, asks for, or provokes sexual assault. An individual who uses force, intimidation, or coercion to initiate sexual activity is responsible, not the victim/survivor. It is never the victim’s/survivor’s fault.
  • Sexual assault occurs in all communities; people of all gender identities and sexual orientations can be victims/survivors as well as perpetrators.
  • Most victims/survivors are assaulted by someone they know, typically a date or acquaintance.
  • Alcohol or other drugs may be used to facilitate sexual assaults. Individuals who are incapacitated by alcohol or other drugs, whether ingested voluntarily or unknowingly, cannot consent to any sexual activity.
  • If you feel uneasy about a situation, recognize situations of potential harm, trust your instincts and attempt to interrupt the chain of events.
  • Be an active bystander. If you see others engaging in disrespectful or inappropriate actions, such as joking about sexual assault or indicating they are intent on engaging in non-consensual acts with an unwilling or incapacitated person, do not assume that someone else will step in. Speak up and intervene if it is safe to do so. Remember the three Ds: direct (directly intervene), distract (cause a distraction), or delegate (identify a responsible party to intervene, for example, an RA, faculty/staff member, campus police, etc.). Likewise, know your level of comfort with conversations about sexual behavior. If you find groups or individuals who talk about sexual relationships that are not in sync with how you feel, or the type of relationship you want, don’t be afraid to state your position
  • Call NC State University Police if at any time you have concerns for your safety or the safety of others. For emergencies, call 911; for non-emergencies and for Safety Escort Services, call 919-515-3000.

Survivors of sexual assault can receive medical attention for sexually-transmitted infections, pregnancy, and forensic evidence collection immediately after a sexual assault up to 5 days (120 hours) following the assault. Receiving a sexual assault examination is free and conducted by a specially trained nurse at the Solace Center, WakeMed Hospital, or UNC REX Hospital. An examination does not obligate someone to participate in any kind of investigation; however, it allows evidence to be collected and preserved in the event you choose to authorize a criminal investigation at a later time. Any decision to report, or seek medical attention, is always up to the victim/survivor.

If you become aware that a sexual assault has occurred or are told of an assault occurring:

  • Believe the person
  • Let the victim/survivor know it is not their fault
  • Encourage reporting to campus or local police, Title IX, Women’s Center, etc. Realize, however, there may be reasons that the person does not want to report. Respect that decision
  • Don’t interrogate or judge. Let them share as much as they’re comfortable sharing, and don’t pressure them to share more. Simply be ready to listen when the individual is ready to talk
  • If you learn of the perpetrator’s identity, don’t suggest physical confrontation or any other form of retaliation
  • Listen
  • Be patient

Bystander Intervention

Bystander intervention promotes safe and positive options that may be carried out by an individual or individuals to prevent further harm or intervene when there is a risk of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. If you see others engaging in disrespectful or inappropriate actions, such as joking about sexual assault or indicating they are intent on engaging in non-consensual acts with an unwilling or incapacitated person, do not assume that someone else will step in. Speak up and intervene if it is safe to do so.

Remember the three Ds: direct (directly intervene), distract (cause a distraction), or delegate (identify a responsible party to intervene, for example, an RA, faculty/staff member, campus police, etc.). Likewise, know your level of comfort with conversations about sexual behavior. If you find groups or individuals who talk about sexual relationships that are not in sync with how you feel, or the type of relationship you want, don’t be afraid to state your position.

Resources

If you have been sexually assaulted, know that you are not at fault and you are not alone. You have many resources available to you on campus and in the local community.

Confidential resources

  • Counseling Center
    • 919.515.2423
    • Counseling for students 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The Counseling Center can also assist with crisis and emergency counseling. Located at 2815 Cates Avenue, 2nd floor.
  • Campus Health Services
    • 919.515.7107 or 919.515.7762
    • Convenient, on-campus medical and gynecology services for NC State students. Located at 2815 Cates Avenue, 2nd floor.
  • InterAct (Off Campus)
    • 919.828.7740
    • InterAct, located near campus, is a non-profit United Way Agency that provides services to survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. Services include short-term counseling, court assistance, support groups, information and referrals, and S.A.F.E. Center accompaniment. Located at 1012 Oberlin Rd.
  • Solace Center (Off Campus)
    • 919.828.3067
    • The Solace Center, located at InterAct of Wake County, is a designated area for the forensic examination and treatment of survivors of rape/sexual assault. Located at 1012 Oberlin Rd.
  • Student Legal Services
    • 919.515.7091
    • Available to inform students of all legal options related to sex discrimination or gender based violence. Located at 1107 Pullen Hall.
  • Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
    • 866-467-0467
    • The NC State University Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FASAP) Program provides support, resources and information for personal and work-life issues. Located at 211 Sullivan Drive, Admin II, 2nd floor.

Private resources

  • Women’s Center
    • 919.515.2012, 24/7 Helpline: 919.515.4444, ncsuadvocate@ncsu.edu 
    • The NC State Women’s Center has trained advocates who support survivors of interpersonal violence (relationship violence, sexual assault, stalking, etc.) in understanding their options and navigating healing and recovery.  The NC State Women’s Center serves ALL NC State students and welcomes students of all gender identities, gender expressions and sexual orientations. For more information about how the Women’s Center can help you, visit their Survivor Services page. Located at 5210 Talley Student Union. 
  • LGBTQ Pride Center
    • 919.513.9742
    • Support for LGBTQ-identified students and allies who have experienced gender based violence or discrimination. Located at 5230 Talley Student Union.

Reporting options

  • University Police
    • 919.515.3000 or 911
    • University Police enforces North Carolina law, investigates crimes, responds to emergencies, patrols university property and provides safety education. Located at 2610 Wolf Village Way.
  • Office for Institutional Equity & Diversity
    • 919.513.0574
    • OIED is home to the University’s Title IX Coordinator as well as investigators, equity officers and diversity officers. They are available to answer questions about any Title IX related matters. Located at 231 Winslow Hall.
  • Office of Student Conduct
    • 919.515.2963
    • Investigates reports of non-academic conduct that violate university policies, regulations, or rules. To report non-academic misconduct, please use the online reporting form. Located at 300 Clark Hall.
  • Violence Prevention & Threat Management
    • 919.513.4224
    • Provides effective intervention in situations that pose or may pose a threat to the safety of the community and safety planning assistance for faculty staff and students.
  • NC State Cares
    • 919.515.4405
    • Provides support for students who are in crisis or who are identified as exhibiting concerning or worrisome behaviors.