Contraceptives:

• Long-acting 

  • Intrauterine Device (IUD) 

    • Copper- can last up to 10 years (Source)

    • Hormonal- can last 3-8 years (Source)

  • Upper Arm Implant- can last up to 3 years (Source)

• Short Acting (require daily, weekly, or monthly use)

  • Birth Control Pill

  • Birth Control Patch 

  • Vaginal Ring

  • Birth Control Shot

• Prophylactics

  • Condoms

  • Spermicide

Abortion:

• Medication abortion (also called the “abortion pill”): a medication taken in the privacy of your home or where you feel safe to do so, to end your pregnancy. This medication is offered up to 11 weeks and 0 days after the first day of your last menstrual period. (source)(source2)

• In clinic procedure abortion (also called a "surgical abortion"): a common medical procedure done at a clinic or a hospital. There are two procedural options: aspiration abortion and dilation and evacuation (D&E) depending on what stage you are in. (Source)

  • • • Aspiration abortion: This option is generally available up to 14 to 16 weeks from the first day of ones last period. Your provider uses gentle suction and sometimes a small medical tool to remove the pregnancy tissue from your uterus. The procedure usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

      • Dilation and evacuation (D&E): This option is generally used if it’s been more than 16 weeks since the first day of your last period. Your provider will dilate your cervix and use small medical tools to remove the pregnancy tissue from your uterus. The procedure usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.

Birth Control Pills vs Plan B vs Abortion: Birth Control Pills describe a variety of hormonal medications that prevent pregnancy through a variety of mechanisms depending on the specific type. Plan B is an emergency contraceptive pill intended to be taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. Plan B delays ovulation, but can be ineffective if you are already ovulating (Source). An abortion is intended for after implantation of a fertilized egg has already occured, and works to end a pregnancy. 

At UCLA: 

Contraceptives

• Under UCShip, students can visit the Ashe Center and get an IUD or Upper Arm Implant at no additional cost. For students not on UCShip, these cost $25. 

• Under UCShip, some birth control pills are free, and emergency contraceptives can be purchased at low cost. Contact the Bruin Health Pharmacy for more information (310-825-5497, Bruin Health Pharmacy ).

• In the Ackerman Student Union, emergency contraceptives and condoms can be purchased at the vending machines.

Abortion

• Medical Abortion (Abortion Pill) is available at the Ashe Center for no cost

• Surgical Abortion is available through UCLA Health 

  • Pre-operative Appointment at the UCLA West Medical Building (1010 Veteran Ave)

  • Operation occurs at Ronald Reagan Medical Center (757 Westwood Plaza)

• For more information about obtaining an abortion at UCLA visit UCLA Health 

In Los Angeles: In order to access an abortion you must contact your health car provider or search in FINDER

Through Telehealth: abortion pills may be mailed to you, or you might pick the pills up from a specific location. The abortion pill is generally available earlier in pregnancy. Each provider will have their own rules about how far along in pregnancy they’ll offer it–some will offer it through 13 weeks of pregnancy and others will stop offering it much earlier in pregnancy.

Basic steps: 

1. Find out if you’re eligible. Each provider has its own rules about who is eligible for a telehealth abortion. You can call or check out each provider’s website to find out if you meet their criteria.

2. Provide information on your medical history. You’ll give some information about your health and pregnancy through a video visit, a phone call, or an online form.

3. Learn about the process. The provider will give you instructions on how and when to take the pills. They should also give you information about what to expect when you take the pills, what to do if you have side effects, and how to reach out if you have questions.

4. Get your pills There are two ways you can get your abortion pills when you get a telehealth abortion: by mail or by picking them up. Some providers may only offer pills by mail, and some providers may only offer pills by pickup. Some may offer both options. Some providers have multiple pickup locations.*

5. Take your pills The provider who prescribed them to you should explain the process and should be available to you throughout the abortion process if you have questions or concerns. (source ) 

The Rape Treatment Center provides comprehensive, free counseling services for victims of sexual assault. Our highly trained professional therapists understand the impacts of sexual assault and know how to help. We provide individual and group therapy services in both English and Spanish. Even if you were assaulted a long time ago, speaking with a trained counselor can help. It is never too late to start the healing process.

If you would like to speak with one of our therapists, call the Rape Treatment Center at 424-259-7208

All Rape Treatment Center services are free.

Stuart House, a program of the Rape Treatment Center, is internationally recognized as a model for the treatment of sexually abused children.

Stuart House therapists are highly trained clinicians with knowledge, skill and experience in helping sexually abused children and their families. Therapists provide individual, family and group therapy. Stuart House has bilingual and bicultural therapists and provides culturally-informed therapy in both English and Spanish. These services are available to children and their non-offending family members or caretakers.

Therapists at Stuart House understand the unique needs of teenagers and provide therapy and other support services that address issues of concern to adolescents.

For more information, call 424-259-7100

All Stuart House services are free.

Officially called a sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE).

Purpose: Provides healthcare services in the aftermath of sexual violence and collects evidence for use in criminal prosecution of perpetrators. 

Healthcare services: It provides immediate medical care to address injuries, prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and offer emergency contraception. These services are short-term and focus on the immediate aftermath of the assault.

Scope of care: RTKs primarily address immediate healthcare needs and evidence collection. They do not encompass long-term medical or psychological support.

Evidence Collection: Gathers physical evidence from the survivor's body and belongings, which can be crucial for criminal investigations and prosecutions (Source).

Voluntary: Survivors do not have to report to the police to receive this service (Source). 

Confidential: The process is confidential, and survivors can choose how much they want to participate. 

Completely free: Federal law requires that survivors have access to these services at no cost.

RTKs are performed by trauma-informed, specially-trained nurses. 

The process takes an average of 3 to 5 hours. 

Time-sensitive: Must be done within 5 days of the assault. The collected samples go to a crime lab within 20 days of collection and must be processed by the lab within 120 days.

The nurse at the rape treatment center will... 

• Ask about the survivor’s medical history. 

• Test the survivor’s clothing for evidence like fibers or hair. 

• Document and treat any physical injuries. 

• Collect samples of blood, saliva, semen, urine, skin cells, and hair.  

• Photograph the survivor to preserve evidence. 

You can decline any or all parts of the process at any point.

You can have a support person(s) such as a friend or a family member accompany you throughout the process (Source).

(Source)

Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center (SMRTC) 

• Call 424-259-7208

• Available 24/7

• Free of charge 

• Involvement of Law Enforcement: Transportation arranged through SMRTC is confidential and does not involve police unless the survivor chooses to report the assault. This transportation service is available 24/7 to all survivors seeking assistance. (Source)

Survivors are not required to report to the police to receive support from UCLA’s confidential services. 

Survivors have full autonomy over the use of the RTK evidence.

The rape treatment center can preserve their evidence for up to two years if the survivor is does not want to pursue an immediate police investigation. (Source). 

If an assault is reported to the police as an active or recent crime, they may respond immediately to initiate an investigation. 

The police may pursue investigative actions without the survivor’s cooperation. 

If the police pursue an investigation, they may collect evidence & interview witnesses for potential prosecution.

Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE)

Stance: Pro-survivor

Confidentiality: Complete. It will never report assaults without consent of the survivor.

Legal framework: CARE is not a disciplinary entity and does not conduct investigations.

Legal resources: Provides legal counseling services, accompaniment to police interviews, Title IX hearings, and legal proceedings, and help obtaining No Contact Directives and accommodations at UCLA.

Title IX

Stance: Neutral. Not biased towards or against survivors or perpetrators. 

Confidentiality: Partial. Title IX strives to protect privacy, but once a report is made, some information may need to be shared: 

• Survivors can request confidentiality, but in some cases, the university may still be required to investigate. 

• Survivors may have limited control over whether an investigation proceeds. If the university determines that the reported incident poses a threat to campus safety, it may investigate regardless of the survivor’s wishes.

• Supportive measures can be provided without launching an investigation.

• Mandated reporters: Many UCLA faculty and staff are mandated reporters, meaning they are required to report incidents of sexual misconduct to the Title IX office.

Legal framework: Pursues civil, not criminal, cases. Does not determine criminal guilt or innocence but instead addresses policy violations and institutional responsibilities.

Legal resources: Investigation of formal complaints, supportive measures, and disciplinary action against perpetrators if a violation is found. 

Undocumented Students: UCLA does not inquire about or report immigration status. The UC system has policies in place to protect undocumented students, ensuring that Title IX procedures remain separate from immigration enforcement. 

Factors affecting the likelihood of contracting an STI: The type(s) of sexual contact that occured, the number of perpetrators, and whether a perpetrator had a STI at the time of the assault. 

Even if you do not have any symptoms of an infection, you should be tested for STIs following a sexual assault. Unfortunately, it is possible to have STIs and not have any physical symptoms. If left untreated, most STIs can cause serious medical problems. Even if you choose not to have an evidentiary examination immediately after a sexual assault, you should see a healthcare provider for STI testing and information about the treatment options available to you.

The probability of contracting HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) through a single sexual contact is low. Nevertheless, you should consult with a healthcare provider to assess your risk factors and what you can do in the unlikely event you contract HIV as a result of a sexual assault. In some circumstances, the likelihood of HIV transmission may be reduced by preventive therapy with certain medications. After you and your healthcare provider discuss your individual risk of exposure to HIV following a sexual assault, your healthcare provider can advise you about whether preventive medication is recommended for you. If preventive medication is indicated, it should be started as soon as possible, within 72 hours after a sexual assault.

For your own peace of mind and the protection of your sexual partner, most healthcare providers recommend that you be tested for the disease. The recommendations for follow-up testing are at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months from the date of the sexual assault.

There are laws in some states, including California, that permit a criminal court judge to order a sexual assault suspect to be tested for HIV and other communicable diseases, such as hepatitis and syphilis, and to inform the victim of the test results. If a suspect has been arrested for your assault and you wish to have the suspect tested, ask the police investigator or the prosecutor involved in your case for information about obtaining a court order to have the assailant tested for these diseases.

Screening vs Diagnostic: Most health centers offer both screening and diagnostic tests for STIs. Screenings are for individuals that are not yet exhibiting symptoms to detect the presence of an infection. Diagnostic tests are for individuals who are exhibiting symptoms to confirm diagnosis and begin treatment. Most individuals who have possibly been exposed to an STI seek screenings, unless already exhibiting symptoms. (Source)

At UCLA: 

Screening

• The Ashe Center offers free screening for HIV, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea for those under UCSHIP.

• If you don't have UCSHIP, screening for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea costs $48.33, and HIV screening is free. 

Diagnostic Testing

• The Ashe Center offers diagnostic testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea for $4.83 each for those who have UCSHIP, and $48.33 for those without UCSHIP.

In Los Angeles:

• Sexual Health Clinics via the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department offer testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, trichomoniasis, yeast/candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and herpes. 

  • An exam can check for signs of genital warts and pelvic inflammatory disease.

• The closest location to UCLA is the Hollywood-Wilshire Health Center, at 5205 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90038. You can find other locations here. 

• Services are free or low cost.

Immediately following a sexual assault, most healthcare providers offer victims two choices for dealing with the risk of STIs. You may choose to reduce the risk of contracting certain STIs (hepatitis B, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis) by taking medication immediately as a preventive measure, or you may wait to see if you actually contract any infections before taking medication.

On-campus resources

UCLA offers affirmative individual counseling and psychotherapy for students of color: Black and Bruin and Confiar Support Group.

• Confiar (to trust) is a support group where Latinx students can discuss and share issues that are relevant to their educational successes and challenges in the context of their cultural and personal experiences. Topics will include navigating cultural contexts, family relationships, identity, dating, work, stigma, and discrimination (Source). 

• All registered UCLA students can participate in these support groups. 

• Participation in these support groups does not require UC SHIP. 

• Students with UC SHIP are eligible for additional services, such as psychiatry. (Source)  

Off-campus resources

California Black Women’s Health Project (Source)

• Compiled a variety of resources for sexual violence survivors including physical and mental health services catering to black women 

East Los Angeles Women’s Center (Source) 

• Provides an array of innovative and integrated culturally responsive services that build on a foundation of trauma informed, evidence-based services.

• Provides services regardless of immigration status.

The Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center (Source)

Inclusive Healthcare: LGBTQ+-focused medical care

Transgender Health Services: Dedicated care & UC SHIP benefits guidance 

UCLA LGBTQ+ Campus Resource Center (LGBTQ+ CRC) (Source) 

Counseling & Psychological Services: (CAPS) Mental health support for LGBTQ+ students 

UCLA Health LGBTQ+ Health Initiative (Source) 

LGBTQ+ Champions: Specialized providers 

EMPWR Program: Mental health services

On-campus resources

All UCLA undergraduates are automatically enrolled in UCSHIP. (Source) Coverage and costs: The cost of UC SHIP is included in the Student Services Fees. This comprehensive plan provides medical, prescription, counseling, vision, and dental services. 

CARE and Title IX protect your right to not be threatened with deportation by your institution or to disclose your immigration status. We need to verify if this is still true about Title IX since it is a federal office. 

Off-campus resources that do not require health insurance

LA County DPH Sexual Health Clinic

Free: STD/HIV testing and treatment, family planning, pap tests, condoms, Narcan, fentanyl test strips.

Low cost: Immunizations

YWCA Greater Los Angeles

Provides 24/7 comprehensive crisis intervention and emotional support through counseling, case management, and online virtual services

Peace Over Violence 

24-hour confidential hotline and support services. Accessing services from organizations that maintain confidentiality typically does not expose individuals to deportation risks.

• Individuals seeking shelter can call the 24 hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-978-3600

• Restraining Order Clinics: Provide assistance in obtaining a restraining order against abusers

  • Toll Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinic

    • Superior Court, Central District 111 N. Hill St., Room 216 (2nd floor) , Los Angeles, CA 90012

  • Long Beach Courthouse Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinic

    • Superior Court, South District 275 Magnolia Ave., Rm. 1004 (1st floor) , Long Beach, CA 90802

• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles: assists only people with income less than 125% of the federal poverty guidelines with some exceptions- call 800-399-4529 to see if you are eligible.

  • Provide a wide range of legal services to survivors of domestic violence, including family law matters (restraining orders, divorce, custody, etc) 

  • Can also provide support for other legal matters preventing a survivor from exiting an abusive situation (immigration matters, eviction/housing disputes, government benefits)

• For UCLA students and faculty, the CARE office provides trauma informed counseling to survivors

• Domestic Violence Shelters often have individual and support group therapy for survivors 

  • Shelters near UCLA:

    • Sojourn: 310-264-6644

    • Strength United: 818-886-0453 or 661-253-0258

    • Peace Over Violence: 310-281-2822