Reporting persons may file a report with the University and local law enforcement.
The University will not require someone to speak with law enforcement officials but
strongly recommends filing a report if criminal offense has been experienced.
The filing and process for addressing sexual harassment with a law enforcement entity
is a separate process than the University’s. In most cases, the University will not
wait for a conclusion from any criminal investigation or impending court proceedings,
except in cases where the University temporarily delays its investigation while criminal
investigators gather evidence. Law enforcement’s determination of whether to initiate
prosecution will not affect the University’s decision to charge a Respondent through
the University’s resolution process. Individuals interested in contacting local law
enforcement can contact Public Safety for assistance.
Contact Information
Evidence preservation
Even if you have no immediate intention to report the incident to the police, preserving
evidence will be important in case you later decide to press criminal charges or pursue
University disciplinary action against another person.
Preserving evidence is crucial for a successful criminal investigation and prosecution,
especially in incidents related to sexual misconduct, intimate partner violence, and
stalking. Evidence collection does not require someone to file a police report, but preserving
evidence allows for options.
For the purposes of evidence collection, it is recommended that a person avoid eating/drinking,
showering, brushing their teeth or changing clothes. Even if these things have occurred,
evidence can still be collected, and it remains important to seek medical attention.
All evidence (e.g.: clothing, bedding etc.) should be stored in a paper bag or cardboard
box. Plastic can interfere with evidence collection. If receiving medical care, a
person may wish to bring a change of clothes (or have a friend bring a change of clothes)
as it is likely the clothing worn to the hospital will be held for evidence.
What to expect
This information has been adapted from RAINN:
When talking with law enforcement, it can be helpful to know what to expect and to
understand their process. A great deal of effort has gone into training law enforcement
to create and operate survivor-centered process.
- Privacy: when discussing what happened with law enforcement, it should happen in quiet area
away from others. Individuals can request a location change if they are concerned
for their privacy and/or feel uneasy in the space.
- Timeline: the initial reporting process can take time. This is normal. Additional interviews
with law enforcement may last a while as well, and they may occur over an extended
period.
- Taking breaks: law enforcement officials understand that this is a stressful process. If an individual
needs water, a snack, or just a minute to breathe, they should ask for a break.
- Questions: because of the nature of sexual assault, some questions can feel uncomfortable or
intrusive. It can help to remember that law enforcement officers are professionals,
just like doctors and teachers, and are prepared to listen to what happened. Law
enforcement may also ask the same questions several times or several different ways.
It’s not because they don’t trust believe the reporter — after a trauma it can be
difficult to describe the details. Repeating a question or asking in a different way
may prompt someone to remember something they forgot the first time.
- Share: try to provide as much information as you can up front with detectives so that they
can create a full picture of the situation. Sometimes, people withhold information
because they are worried they will get in trouble and that negatively impacts the
case later in the process.
- Support: It can be helpful and comforting to have support when communicating with law enforcement,
this includes access to a trained advocate or someone you trust.
Information that goes into a report
When law enforcement files a report, it includes the case tracking number and a written
narrative based on the interview(s) with the harmed individual. According to the International
Association of Chiefs of Police, some aspects of the report will include:
- Description of the incident: details about what occurred; sensory experiences, such as what the individual saw,
smelled, tasted, heard or felt during the assault; the individual’s exact words or
phrases, quoted directly; details of voluntary alcohol or drug use that demonstrate
why this is an issue of increased vulnerability rather than culpability.
- Indication of force: coercion, threats, and/or force and the harmed individual’s response during and after;
signs of fear including fight, flight, or freeze reactions.
- Lack of consent: what “no” looked or felt like for the individual — noting that silence is not consent
and “no” or resistance is communicated through more than just words; any details that
show how a consensual encounter turned non consensual.
- Signs of premeditation: any interactions that might indicate premeditation or grooming behavior by the perpetrator.
- Timeline and response: a timeline to show trauma behavior in context of previous behavior, such as weight
loss or gain, changes in routine; documentation of the harmed individual’s condition
as observed.
