Get Help

Call 911 to contact the police. You'll talk to a dispatcher. They'll ask you questions, including where the incident occurred and if you need medical treatment. An officer will be sent from the agency where the incident occurred to your location. Meanwhile, the dispatcher will continue talking to you to get more information and offer support. They may ask where the accused individual went. When the officer arrives, they can take you to the hospital for medical treatment, including a rape kit.

Officers from the following agencies may respond to your call:

• NIU Department of Police and Public Safety
• City of DeKalb Police Department
• DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office

If you need medical attention, go to Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital (1 Kish Hospital Dr., DeKalb). The NIU police can take you if you need a ride.

The nurses at the hospital are trained to collect evidence (a rape kit) at no cost if you've been sexually assaulted or abused. When you arrive at the hospital, an advocate from Safe Passage will be there to tell you what to expect and answer your questions.

Call 815-756-5228 or text 815-393-1995 to connect with a Safe Passage advocate any time of the day or night. They'll speak with you confidentially about your rights and options. They can help you with changing your living, transportation or working situations. They can also help you with protective measures, such as a civil order of protection. Safe Passage offers its services to everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or immigration status.

Call 815-753-1206 to speak with a counselor at NIU Counseling and Consultation Services. If it's after office hours or a weekend, you'll be connected with the on-call counselor. The counselor can provide confidential support for personal or emotional concerns, as well as mental health emergencies. 

If you live in a residence hall, contact your community advisor or the housing staff member on duty. They'll tell you about available resources and connect you with a professional hall director. The hall director can discuss temporary or emergency rooms with you.

Please note: Housing staff are considered responsible employees. If you speak with them, they're required to report what happened to you to the Title IX coordinator, which may lead to an investigation.