procedures for reporting a sexual offense

Support and resources on campus and in the community are available to survivors of sexual violence. Details of the crime that are shared with staff members of the university community, including S.A.R.T. members, who  do not have confidentiality are  mandated to report this information. However, providing the details of a crime is NOT necessary for S.A.R.T. members to assist survivors.  S.A.R.T. has members from Counseling Services and Health Services who do have confidentiality, and all other S.A.R.T. members can support survivors, but a survivor should not provide unsolicited information such as names, dates, location, etc. to them unless they want this information to be reported to University Police.  S.A.R.T. members are here to provide survivors with support and resources that will empower them to make the best decisions impacting their safety and healing. 

1. Go to a safe place as soon as possible.
   
   
2. Try to preserve all physical evidence. If you are reporting a sexual assault that has occurred within the previous 72 hours, it may be possible to collect trace evidence of the offense. This evidence is important particularly if you wish to prosecute the offender. Do not shower or bathe, wash your hands, use the toilet, change clothing, or wash your clothing or bedding. If you changed clothes, place all of the clothing that was worn at the time of the incident in a paper (not plastic) bag.
   
   
3. Seek medical attention. A medical examination will provide any necessary treatment and collect important evidence. SCSU police are available to transport sexual assault victims to Yale-New Haven Hospital or the Hospital of St. Raphael, where a rape examination may be conducted.
   
   
4. Call the SCSU Police Department.* To report an incident that has just occurred, or to report an incident at a later date, call the SCSU Police Department at 911 or (203) 392-5375.  The Victim Advocate from the SCSU Women's Center is available to assist you in this process.  You can ask University Police to contact the Victim Advocate at any time.
   
   
5. Reporting an incident is a separate step from choosing to prosecute.* We are concerned with the victim's welfare and want to ensure that the appropriate treatment and support is provided. When a person files a report with the University Police Department, she or he is not obligated to continue with legal proceedings or university disciplinary action.
   
   
6. Seek counseling or other support. A victim who wishes to speak to someone is encouraged to contact any member of SART.
   

*Reporting an incident to the SCSU Police Department helps to:

• Identify and apprehend the alleged assailant;
• Maintain future options regarding criminal prosecution, university disciplinary action, and/or civil action against the perpetrator; and
• Protect the victim and others from future assaults by the same assailant.
  When an incident is reported, an SCSU police officer will complete an incident report. An investigator will be summoned to begin an investigation into the offense. This process is important if the victim wishes to bring criminal charges at this or a later time. The victim will be asked questions about the incident and asked to identify any witnesses and what happened before and after the incident. Generally, the SCSU Police Department works to safeguard the identity of the victim.

It is the victim's decision whether to involve the police in an incident. Deciding not to involve the police does not prevent the victim from seeking assistance from other members of the Sexual Assault Response Team.