Reporting Sexual Assault
If victim chooses to report a sexual assault, they may do it in a variety of ways. If they wish to preserve evidence, they are advised the following:
- Don't bathe or brush teeth, change clothing, eat, drink, smoke, wash your hands, or use the bathroom until after a medical exam.
- Write down the details about the assault and the perpetrator.
- If you suspect you were drugged, ask that a urine sample be collected. The sample will need to be analyzed by a forensic lab.
Anonymous Reports
In an anonymous report, no names are used and all effort is made to maintain the victim's anonymity. No information is included that might identify the victim; a victim can chose how much information is shared.
An anonymous report can be made to a Resident Hall Assistant or Director, Fronke Health Center or through the Office of Student Life. An anonymous report can also be submitted online through the NAU Police Department. Based on the report, the NAU Police will determine if the NAU community is in danger. If the community is in danger, the police would notify the NAU Incident Management Team with the information. Otherwise, the anonymous report is used to track possible patterns or areas that could put other students and faculty in danger.
Confidential Reports
If a victim talks to a counselor at the Counseling and Testing Center, the information given will remain confidential and the counseling relationship provides a safe space for the victim to talk about the assault and how it has affected their life. There are a few exceptions to confidentiality. If the victim is under the age of 18 and the perpetrator is over 18, the counselor is mandated to report a sexual assault. If the victim is seen as being a potential harm to themselves or another person, the counselor must also break confidentiality. These factors are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Criminal Incident Reports
A victim can chose to report as much or as little information as they wish when they file an incident report and how involved they wish to be in prosecution. They can file a report through the NAU Police Department, Flagstaff Police Department, Flagstaff Medical Center or NACASA.
- The police department will send a reporting officer to the victim's location and ensure that they are in a safe place and will ask for BASIC information about the incident. The reporting officer will then have dispatch contact a Victim/Witness advocate and the victim will be escorted to the NACASA facility. The advocate will provide support to the victim throughout the process. A victim may wish to bring a friend along for additional support.
- The victim will meet with an advocate to discuss their options and what to expect. The advocate does not take a detailed account of what happened.
- A forensic exam is voluntary and can take up to 6 hours. A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) will ask questions about the incident and conduct a head-to-toe exam and detailed genital exam. the victim can stop the exam at any time. An exam can be done up to 5 days after an incident.
- The SANE nurse will check the body for bruises, touch the body looking for sensitive areas, comb pubic hair and examine the area of penetration. Photos may be taken.
- The SANE nurse will offer the patient a urine pregnancy test, morning after pill and sexually transmitted infection (STI) preventative medication. The victim will be referred to receive full STI testing.
- The victim will be given a change of clothes and taken to the "soft room" at NACASA, where they can speak to a detective who will then take a detailed account of the incident.
- The advocate will ensure that the victim has a safe place to go and will follow-up and continue supporting the client throughout the investigative process.
University Judicial Proceedings
Sexual abuse and assault are violations of the Student Code of Conduct and the university has disciplinary procedures to guide the enforcement of this code. A complaint can be filed and sbumitted to the Office of Student Life (see File a Complaint link). When a student is referred, the Office of Student Life sends a letter requesting that the student schedule an appointment with the Assistant Dean of Students/Judicial Coordinator or a designee.
The judicial conference is an informal discussion in which the student will be asked to respond to the written allegations against him/her. The Student Life staff member will review the disciplinary procedures so that the student understands basic procedures and student rights. This meeting also provides the student with the opportunity to respond to allegations made against him/her. The staff member will review the allegations against the student, will review the information discovered in the investigation, will ask questions and will invite comments from the student.
The staff member will determine if a violation of the Code of Conduct took place and if the student is responsible for the alleged violations. Sanctions may include eviction, suspension or expulsion of the accused.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS (all numbers are within area code 928)
NAU Police Department 523-3611
Flagstaff Police Department 774-1414
Victim/Witness Services 779-6163 (after business hours contact the police)
Fronske Health Center 523-2131
Help is also available by contacting any of the resources located on the resource page.
