This talks about assault and money. I’ll keep it plain and kind.
Another survivor breaks down her own pay-for-what experience in this compensation case study.
I was a sophomore at a big state school in the Midwest. It was fall, near midterms. My dorm smelled like ramen and dry shampoo. After the assault, bills piled up. Therapy. Rides. Lock changes. A hotel for two nights. I didn’t think I’d be counting receipt lines while also trying to sleep. But that’s how it went.
Here’s what I used, what paid, what didn’t, and how it felt. I’ll share real numbers from my case. Yours may look a bit different. But the pattern is pretty common.
The Big Buckets I Needed Help With
- Therapy bills
- A safe place to sleep for a couple nights
- Rides, because buses felt scary at night
- Lock change and a room move
- A missed paycheck from my campus job
- A gross ER bill for an exam I didn’t want, but needed
Simple list, but each one triggered a mess of forms. And feelings.
State Victim Compensation Program — Paid Most of My Therapy
What it is: A state fund for victims of violent crime. They can pay for therapy, medical costs, and some lost wages. You don’t sue anyone for this. It’s more like insurance from the state.
What I got: $4,200 toward therapy over a year, plus $312 for lost wages (two missed campus shifts). I later got $118 back for an ER facility fee I paid.
What it needed from me: A police report or similar proof. I didn’t file right away. I had a Title IX report instead. My advocate sent a letter. We added notes from my counselor. It got approved. It took 4 months from start to first check. That wait felt long.
How it felt: Cold at first. Forms. Codes. But it helped the most. Therapy kept me going. The check came right when my savings ran dry.
Would I use again? Yes. 8/10. Slow but real.
Tip: Save receipts. Even Uber screenshots. Date, time, amount. I kept a simple folder on my phone. That moved things faster.
If you want to see an official breakdown of what these programs will reimburse, the Pennsylvania Victims Compensation Assistance Program lists covered expenses in detail, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Victim Compensation Program offers another clear example of benefits available to survivors.
Campus Emergency Fund — Fast Money for Safety Stuff
What it is: My university had a student emergency fund. Student Affairs handled it. Some schools run it through a Dean of Students office.
What I got: $750. Same week. It paid for a two-night hotel, two Ubers, and a heavy door lock. The housing office moved me to a new room for free. That part wasn’t cash, but it helped a ton.
What it needed from me: A one-page form and a quick meeting. I didn’t have to say his name. My Title IX intake note was enough.
How it felt: Kind. Human. I cried in that office. They handed me a tissue and said, “We’ve got you.” You know what? Sometimes the small stuff sticks in your head.
Would I use again? Yes. 9/10. Fast, flexible, low drama.
Tip: Ask your Title IX office or a victim advocate where this fund lives. It’s often quiet, but it’s there.
Hospital SANE Exam — Covered, But Watch The Facility Fee
What it is: A Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE). It documents injuries and collects evidence. You can do it even if you don’t want to report yet.
What I paid: $0 for the exam itself. A state program covered it. But I still got a $118 facility fee. Yep. I wasn’t happy either. My advocate helped me appeal it. The state fund reimbursed me later.
How it felt: Hard. Bright lights. A very calm nurse. I ate saltines with ginger ale after. I’m glad I went, even though I shook the whole time.
Would I do it again? If I had to, yes. 7/10. It’s heavy, but it protects your choices later.
Tip: Ask at intake, “Is the SANE exam covered? Will I get a facility bill?” Get names. Write them down.
Title IX Office — Good for Safety, Not For Money
What it is: The campus civil rights office. They handle no-contact orders, class changes, housing moves, and formal complaints.
What I got: A no-contact order, deadline extensions, a new dorm room, and a letter for professors. I did not get cash. Title IX doesn’t pay. It can save you money though. A late drop fee was waived.
How it felt: Mixed. They listened. They also spoke in policy words. I needed water and plain words. My advocate helped translate.
Would I use again? Yes, for safety. 7/10. Not a money tool, but still key.
Tip: Say what you need, even if it feels small. “I need a new room.” “I need a friend to walk me to class.” Ask twice if you must. It’s okay.
Criminal Restitution — Ordered, But Only Part Came
What it is: If there’s a criminal case and a guilty plea or verdict, a judge can order restitution. That’s money back for certain costs (therapy, locks, not pain and suffering).
What I got: $1,200 ordered. I received $300 the first year. Then it stalled. He didn’t pay. The court sent letters. I stopped checking the mailbox for a while because the empty felt loud.
How it felt: Frustrating. It was a win on paper. In real life, not so much.
Would I count on it? No. 4/10. Take it if it comes, but don’t plan bills around it.
Tip: Keep your address updated with the court. If a payment comes, you want it to find you.
Civil Lawyer Consult — Free, Helpful, No Case For Me
What it is: A civil claim for money damages against the person or an institution. Not criminal. This is a lawsuit or a settlement talk.
If you want to see how hiring an attorney can play out, here’s an honest account from someone who worked with a campus sexual assault law attorney in San Diego, CA: read their experience.
What I got: A free 30-minute consult with a local attorney. We looked at the facts and the state deadlines. My proof wasn’t strong enough for a civil claim, and the time frame was tight.
For a perspective on hiring a lawyer in Washington, D.C., you might find this survivor’s story helpful: their candid take.
How it felt: Clear and a bit heavy. I walked out with answers. No fee. That alone helped me sleep.
Thinking about the West Coast instead? Here’s an honest review of working with a Los Angeles-based campus sexual assault lawyer: check it out.
Would I do it again? Yes, for the clarity. 7/10. Sometimes “no” is still helpful.
Tip: Ask about your state’s deadlines right away. They matter. Bring your notes and a timeline.
What Paid Fast vs. What Took Time
- Fast: Campus emergency fund, housing move, class changes
- Medium: State victim compensation (first check at 4 months), ER fee refund (6 weeks after I pushed)
- Slow or iffy: Criminal restitution, any civil case
It bothered me that the fastest help was not the biggest money. But that’s how it shook out.
Costs That Got Covered (And Some That Didn’t)
Covered for me:
- Therapy sessions (up to a cap)
- SANE exam and later that facility fee
- Two nights in a hotel and rides
- Lock change
- A small slice of lost wages
Not covered for me:
- Tuition refund (I asked; they said no)
- New laptop after I spilled tea during a panic attack (that one made me mad; still no)
- Extra meal delivery when I couldn’t handle the dining hall
Some schools will adjust tuition in rare cases. Mine didn’t. Your mileage may vary.
Paperwork That Helped Me Win
- My therapy receipts
- The incident number from campus
- A short timeline with dates
- A letter from my advocate that said, “She needs this”
I kept it all in a simple folder on my phone. I named files like “2023-10-12_Receipt_Uber.pdf.” Boring, but it worked.
Small Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me
- Ask for an advocate. Many campuses and local centers have one. Free. They speak “form” when your brain can’t.
- You can report to campus even if you don’t report to