SEXUAL ASSAULT REPORTING PROCEDURES

The University recognizes that sexual assault is a serious issue and will not tolerate such acts on campus.  The University police will investigate all allegations of sexual assault and take appropriate disciplinary, criminal, or legal action, with prior consent of the victim.  If you become the victim of a sexual assault at this institution, your first priority should be to get to a place of safety.  It is important that you seek help immediately.

Sexual Assault is knowingly inflicting sexual intrusion or sexual penetration on a victim, whether by an acquaintance or by a stranger, that occurs without indication of consent of both individuals, or that occurs under threat or coercion.  Sexual assault can occur either forcibly and/or against a person's will, or when a person is incapable of giving consent.  A person is legally incapable of giving consent if intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol; if developmentally disabled; or if temporarily or permanently mentally or physically unable to do so.

The majority of sexual assaults that occur in campus communities are committed by people known by their victims, such as casual acquaintances through academic, living, work, social, or recreational interactions, including dating.  Often, these types of assaults are not reported to campus police or available victim services, because people do not think that when a friend or acquaintance subjects them to unwanted sexual intercourse or contact, this is sexual assault.

Time is a critical factor for evidence collection and preservation.  An assault should be reported directly to a University police officer and/or to a Housing Residential representative.  Filing a police report with a University police officer will not obligate the victim to prosecute, nor will it subject the victim to scrutiny or judgmental opinions from officers.  Filing a police report will:

• ensure that a victim of sexual assault receives the necessary medical treatment and tests.
• provide the opportunity for collection of evidence helpful in prosecution, which cannot be obtained later.
• assure the victim has access to free confidential counseling from counselors specifically trained in the area of sexual assault crisis intervention.

The following procedures will help you in both reporting the crime and receiving the professional counseling and support you may desire:

1. If you are the victim of a sexual assault (including date or acquaintance rape) on campus, call the University Police immediately at 3-1-1-1.  If you are the victim of a sexual assault in the City of Colorado Springs, call the city police by dialing 9-1-1 (9-911 from a campus phone).
2. Do not wash or bathe. While it is recognized that this is a normal reaction on the part of most sexual assault victims, it will destroy vital evidence necessary in prosecuting the criminal offense.  University or city police will transport you to Memorial Hospital where only qualified medical professionals will examine and collect evidence from your person.  In addition, trained rape crisis counselors may be called to assist you and provide you with counseling and support.
3. You will be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity during all phases of the criminal justice process.  Both the University Police and the City of Colorado Springs Police will keep you informed during all phases of the case including investigation, filing of charges, prosecution, trial and sentencing.
4. You may call other University personnel, (counseling, student support services, student life), for assistance in reporting a crime.  These institutional personnel will assist you in notifying police authorities.
5. After an alleged sex offense occurs, the University will change a victim's academic situation if the changes are requested by the victim and they are reasonably available.
6. Campus disciplinary hearings may be heard in the case of an alleged sex offense.  In each case, the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a disciplinary proceeding.  Both the accused and the accuser shall be informed of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding brought about by an allegation of a sexual offense.
7. The Colorado Springs Campus may impose sanctions following a final determination of an institutional disciplinary proceeding regarding rape, acquaintance rape, or other forcible or non-forcible sex offenses.  These sanctions include probationary status, suspension, and expulsion.

2007 Campus Safety and Security Report

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